24 Comments
 

I honestly don't have the experience to give anyone advice on here but I think the only thing to do in this situation is to find a better WLB job in finance or to search another associate position with hopes that you'll have better analysts. While you do that, try to get some more sleep and work on your mental health but you shouldn't let that gap in your resume grow.

Hope you'll get better.

 
Most Helpful

I’m doing everything I can to apply to secure a new position but it’s been tough especially given where we are in the year. I’m hoping the job market will get better soon. I’ve always turned a blind eye to mental health conversations but I’ve learned the hard way that it’s definitely real. Every day has been a struggle. The silver lining is now my eyes are wide open to the topic and it’s definitely made me more empathetic and willing to help others out if I can.

 

I understand, then I can only tell u to hang in there and try to see things with a better eye (i know it's easier said than done)

Help yourself before helping others. Prayers to you man.

 

I'm going to be honest here. Do give me MS if I hurt feelings if you must. But I'll also tell you what I recommend.

You messed up badly. Jumping into the ocean with no land or ship in sight is a truly idiotic thing to do in general, let alone in this job market. 

I would also argue you aren't as mentally robust or tough as you like to think. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. I say this in the nicest way - consider your options outside of IB. Like a LMM PE or some such where hours are lighter and you can make a bigger impact personally. 

Finally - if you want back into IB

Network. Its the only way. Your CV value to headhunters after not being in a job is very low. Start emailing VPs at targets you want to pursue. 

Be open to a role in any US office, you can't limit yourself to one city Like Chicago. You need back on the horse and even if you have to work in Atlanta for a year then just suck it up.

I'm not sure if you could claim you gave up work due to a family illness etc and how much that wpukd be checked. But any story with plausible deniability is better than quitting like you did.

Good luck to you chap. Head up and use that grind to get your networking hat on and hit the emails.

Sponsors M&A (London)
 

I respect the feedback. I don’t think it’s a question of mental toughness. More so getting fed up getting cranked trying to keep the ship afloat while the analysts I was working with, on multiple deals, clearly didn’t care (leaving at 6pm logging for the night, bad attitudes / work product, etc.).

Nearly all the analysts I was working with jumped ship at this point, confirming my suspicion. Just got the short end of the stick, unfortunately. Frustrating because I passed on an offer at an EB for this gig.

Sadly it's a Gen Z thing. As a generation in the workplace they are lazy and entitled. Not everyone but as a whole it holds true.

Lots of banks, good BBs and EBs as well, suffer from lazy and disengaged juniors. HR teams protecting them have made this far worse.

I understand the feeling of being the only person working. It's draining. 

Not saying you were wrong to leave your current shop, the timing was poor. 

Good luck. Networking is your solution. If you're unemployed you should be sending 100+ emails a day and jumping on calls with as many people as possible. Get some gym in so you don't go crazy and catch up on sleep so you're fresh when you are on calls or in front of people. 

Sponsors M&A (London)
 

Velit odio qui nesciunt aut. Cumque sit iusto iste commodi quidem. Laborum maxime aspernatur dolores nisi praesentium. Ut quas impedit sequi voluptatem aut ut recusandae. Sapiente officiis consectetur nobis molestiae.

Ullam libero nisi aut dolore praesentium. Et quia omnis fugiat. Qui tenetur harum repellat.

 

Nihil placeat nisi ullam et perferendis. Blanditiis officiis et facere pariatur accusamus accusamus animi. Et ex rerum esse sapiente voluptas quia qui. Adipisci sed quo accusantium velit aut minima.

Eos adipisci et fuga sit possimus voluptatem. Modi labore quisquam est sapiente dolores soluta.

Quisquam et fugiat velit dicta non. Magnam voluptatem sed temporibus voluptatem consectetur voluptas. Similique quo voluptas aspernatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”