From BB IB (analyst 1) to Google sales
Hi, I am an investment banking analyst at a bulge bracket in London in a sector coverage team (not tech). I have been working in banking for one year as a full time analyst and five month as an off-cycle intern. I dislike the work-life balance and I'm not sure if I am attracted to the buy-side opportunities in finance as well. I would be happy earning £10k net per month in the future and maintaining a WLB. I recently received a job offer to join Google in Dublin as an account strategist (salesperson). I’m very tempted to accept the offer but people around me have been advising against it. The main argument is that 1) leaving banking after 1 year will close the door to future lucrative opportunities in finance if I want to stay in finance, 2) Google has become a big corporate making career progression and internal transfers difficult. Could you please share views whether I should accept this offer at Google or stay another year in banking and look for other more interesting opportunities (growth, VC, corp dev)? I previously worked in a startup and enjoyed scaling the business by marketing it through Google ads, I find it interesting to see which companies are performing well on Google ads (with a view to creating my own business in the future) and I would love to work at Google (but not in sales). I was thinking of this account strategist opportunity as an entry point at Google and growing internally in the company and eventually transferring to a more interesting department. I appreciate the decision depends on my personal circumstances (my family and friends are in London) but any advice is helpful. Thank you very much
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and considerations for your situation:
Pros of Staying in Banking:
Future Opportunities in Finance:
Career Progression:
Cons of Staying in Banking:
Pros of Joining Google:
Interest in Google Ads and Business Scaling:
Potential for Internal Transfers:
Cons of Joining Google:
Career Progression Concerns:
Leaving Finance Early:
Additional Considerations:
VC and Growth Opportunities:
Personal Circumstances:
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the decision depends on your long-term career goals and personal circumstances. Good luck!
Sources: Reconsidering banking after receiving offer... help?, Reconsidering banking after receiving offer... help?, Software Engineering seems like the best job one could have, The Other Road: Corporate Development Associate Fielding Questions, Negotiation for Guaranteed Promotion?
Sorry to not be able to answer your question but am in a very similar position and wanted to ask how you went about getting a sales offer without any sales experience?
Am in IB as well and considering switching to sales.
Are you from Dublin or will you be moving from London?
I am from continental Europe, and I am currently working in London, I have no ties with Dublin whatsoever
I’m going to be honest here, as an Irish citizen and somebody who works FO BB in Dublin. It is an extremely difficult place to move to given the economic conditions.
All of the graduates who moved to Dublin from continental Europe / Mediterranean are disappointed with their living conditions and life outside of the office. Bear in mind this is BBFO so socializing in the office is quite low and the office wouldn’t host a huge amount of events, where as in Google this is not the case. Unbelievable WLB that has the opportunity to completely shift your perspective on Dublin.
The weather is very harsh and a shock for most. The housing situation is diabolical and the cost of living is near parity with London, and you’re getting about 15% of what London has to offer.
The only thing that kept me in the Dublin office was family and friends who I grew up with here, but a move to London is likely in my personal pipeline for the next 3 years.
I really don’t like talking about my own country like this, as I love Ireland but primarily because I grew up here and have family and school friends.
BB doesn't have M&A teams in Ireland.
Ignore user title, unaware of how to change and rarely use the site - not in M&A but I am in banking.
Depends on your tolerance really. I would view Dublin Big Tech (Google, Meta, Amazon) excellent career places, but BB London really is top.
A problem for you is that you haven't stayed long enough in the BB environment for the best exit opportunities to crystallise. So if it were me, even if I disliked the WLB, I would stick it out fot a few more years. But then again, if it is really weighing on you and affecting your mental health / quality of life, get out of there.
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