Hey all! At a BB right now and quitting tomorrow. I don’t have a job lined up but I can’t stand being in the industry- I’m fine with the uncertainty for now. Anyone done this before and know how these conversations usually go or what to say. I don’t want to have this be a big deal, and I’m 100% sure I don’t ever want to come back to this industry.
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Can you share why you don't like it? What type of bank? Coverage or product?
Finish one year at least. We all been there, where we feel that we want to quit the next day and never come back to the industry but you aren’t doing yourself any favors by quitting before the one year mark.
Do you have to payback gross amount of signing bonus?
I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I don’t have to worry about money too much, so we probably have the clawback but I honestly don’t care. I know that this isn’t a career for me
This. Just go with “didn’t think money was this hard to make and have enough of it from parents already”. Don’t think that the bank will be losing sleep not anyone particularly cares how you quit
I smell a non targo hardo
In same position. Deciding if I should leave only 7 months in
Try to move after getting to a2. When I was six months in, I also wanted to quit but didn’t, and then realized the job gets much easier as you get better with more repetition, and your responsibilities become less tedious as you move up to a2, although there is still some tedious work. Your opportunities to lateral or switch industries improve after a full year as well.
I’m 6 months in at the associate level. Can’t wait to hit the 1 year mark and gtfo
Job fucking sucks doesn't it
What do you want to do instead?
Must be nice to have rich parents who don’t mind paying for your life when you quit you’re very first job.
Ah he’s back!
Pot say hello to the kettle
I have rich parents but I didn’t quit like a wuss. I’m still slaving away at I-banking. If I quit to be an artist you can bet my folks wouldn’t be so happy and generous about it.
So like I said.
Must be nice to have rich parents AND the fact they are cool bankrolling his life after he quit after 6 months.
Lot of unhelpful comments here, so I’ll try to give you a real one. Depends on the bank, but for the most part I doubt they’d care all that much about a first year analyst quitting. I’d keep it brief and to the point — “I’m leaving bb, [mmyy] will be my last day.” They’ll likely ask if you have something else lined up and that’s not something you have to answer regardless of if you do or don’t. If you want I’d just say “I’ve appreciated the opportunity, but this isn’t for me,” though idk how much they’d believe you anyways (a lot of analysts won’t disclose where they’re going). Sounds like you want to leave on good terms, so you can give them the courtesy 2 weeks. Besides that, there isn’t much to stress, it’ll be fine.
Real shame to see the bitterness and sour taste of those in the replies. You've come to a realisation that 95% of IB come to, it normally takes them 3 - 5 years to drop the ego and quit, you've done it in 6 months - congrats.
Position it honestly but with candor and rationale, demonstrate you've thought it through. If you're moving industries explain that you want better WLB / a life outside of work. If you're going solo and have the ability to make money online (like a lot of our generation) explain that you believe times have changed and you don't need to bust a nut to make good money in 2023. Above all else, be respectful and thank them for the opportunity, you never know when you might cross paths again.
Appreciate it - Yeah I don't really understand the bitterness. I feel like everyone in WSO has this huge sour attitude against people who don't like banking, simply because "thousands of people would kill for the job." While that may be true, I don't see why I have to stick it out and do something I really dislike and is impacting my day to day physical and mental health when I don't have to.
Anyways - I appreciate the helpful response!
Bold to quit without something lined up in this economy. Good luck to you and hopefully you find what you’re looking for.
Fail / quit fast is actually smart.
Life is super fucking short. In my 2 years at a BB, I have seen a first year VP die (Heart attack) and an analyst die, accident.
Literally nobody gives a shit. Nobody says anything. Everyone just goes back to doing their shit and ordering their shitty take out box dinners….
I don’t think your bank would mind given how many banks have been making cuts lately. We only have one life, you might as well enjoy what you do. There are definitely other jobs that are closer to the life end of the work-life balance equation. My parents spent decades in government work making okay money for very chill hours. There’s a range. Best of luck man.
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