How to go about recruiting after quitting IB (<2 years in)
Hi all,
I quit IB a couple of weeks ago (a little over a year in) in the middle of several off-cycle recruitment processes. And while obviously common wisdom is that I should’ve stuck it out until another opportunity got lined up, I was extremely burnt out and made the decision that was best for my personal and mental health. Really couldn’t justify staying after my bonus hit
That being said, and I know this is a dumb question, but will headhunters still work with me, or am I basically a lost cause now? What should I update my LinkedIn header to, since I see that firms usually view my profile before interviews?
And any other tips or words of encouragement would be very much appreciated. I don’t regret my decision, and even if I did, there’s nothing I can do about it now. Not married to the idea of buyside either, but would be sad if that’s a door officially closed
If you burned out from IB I don't think buyside (at least PE) will be better.
Agreed though hoping LMM firms focused more on growth capital instead of buyout will lead to better WLB.
Been applying to variety of jobs across the board including FP&A but just haven’t been getting any looks unless going through a headhunter
Hey there,
First off, kudos to you for prioritizing your mental health. That's a brave decision and it's important to remember that there's always a way forward.
Now, let's talk strategy. Headhunters are definitely still an option. They're in the business of placing candidates, and your experience in IB is valuable. Be honest with them about why you left and what you're looking for now. They'll appreciate the transparency and it will help them find the best fit for you.
As for LinkedIn, consider updating your header to something like "Experienced Investment Banking Analyst seeking new opportunities". This clearly communicates your experience and your availability.
In terms of other tips:
Networking: Reach out to your contacts in the industry. Let them know you're looking for new opportunities. They might have leads or could offer advice.
Upskill: Use this time to upskill. This could be anything from learning a new financial modeling technique to improving your soft skills.
Stay Positive: Job hunting can be a long process, but stay positive. You've got valuable skills and experience, and the right opportunity will come along.
Remember, doors are only closed if you let them be. You've got a lot to offer, so don't count yourself out of the game just yet. Good luck!
Sources: Getting job after 2-3 years unemployed, How do you recruit to leave banking?, What is your long term career plan? / What do you do after the 2-2-2?, Long notice period makes me unattractive to recruiters
Agreed with the above, I'd pivot to more of a corp dev role - depends on the firm but generally PE juniors have similar work hours as their IB counter parts. Headhunters should still work you in a somewhat limited timeframe - as in if there's more immediate-term spots open somewhere they'd work with you, but mid/late late 2024 and thereafter would be difficult. I would keep your linkedin the same for now (assuming you left a month or two ago), but I'd really start banging on the door on any networking connections you had, alumni network, job postings, etc. You may have to take a lower paying gig if corp dev isn't readily available and transfer after a year or so, which should be very reasonable considering you have IB under your belt
Do you have any insight on WLB for private credit roles? Heard they can be a bit more reasonable
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