How to re-recruit a few months into first job?

Started at a BB some months ago as an early-joiner. Haven’t yet hit the 6 month mark but I really want to switch bank/team/job. My long-term goal is to work on the buyside.

I’m genuinly unhappy with my team and I feel like I dont belong here (culture-wise). Feels like I’m bullied.
 

Because of this, I’m slowly losing my motivation and feel like I have to quit. Switching to another team (currently with a non-sweaty sector team) would be fine,  but I’m too early in and dont want to stay until the 2 year mark (thats usually when people switch at my bank). Therefore, I’m also open to jump to another bank, or even apply for other opportunities ideally on the buyside. For context, I’m in London

Has anyone been in this situation and been succesful in re-recruiting? What opportunities should I target? What other advice would you give me? I cant stay another day with this team.

8 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some steps and advice for re-recruiting a few months into your first job:

Steps to Re-recruit:

  1. Self-Assessment:

    • Reflect on why you want to leave and what you are looking for in your next role.
    • Identify the specific aspects of your current job that are making you unhappy.
  2. Networking:

    • Start networking discreetly. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts.
    • Use LinkedIn and other professional networks to connect with people in your desired field.
  3. Resume and LinkedIn Profile:

    • Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your current role and achievements.
    • Highlight any relevant skills and experiences that align with your long-term goal of working on the buyside.
  4. Target Opportunities:

    • Look for opportunities within your current bank to switch teams. This might be less risky and could provide a better cultural fit.
    • Explore openings at other banks or financial institutions that align with your career goals.
    • Consider buyside opportunities such as private equity, hedge funds, or asset management firms.
  5. Recruitment Agencies:

    • Engage with recruitment agencies that specialize in finance and investment banking roles. They can provide insights and help you find suitable opportunities.
  6. Prepare for Interviews:

    • Practice your interview skills, focusing on why you want to leave your current role and what you are looking for in your next position.
    • Be ready to discuss your experiences and how they have prepared you for the buyside.

Advice from WSO Threads:

  • Burnout and Mental Health:

    • It's important to prioritize your mental and physical health. If the current environment is toxic, it's better to make a move sooner rather than later.
    • Consider taking a short break if possible to recharge and refocus.
  • Strategic Moves:

    • If you decide to stay within the same bank, try to find a team that aligns better with your interests and work style.
    • When looking to switch banks or move to the buyside, ensure that the new role is a step up in terms of responsibilities, pay, and career growth.
  • Networking Tips:

    • When networking, ask for informational interviews rather than directly inquiring about job openings. This can help you build relationships and gather valuable insights.
    • Use your network to get introductions to key people in the industry.
  • Contingency Planning:

    • Have a backup plan in case the re-recruitment process takes longer than expected. This could include staying in your current role a bit longer or exploring other industries.

Inspirational Quote:

  • "Success is never final, failure is never fatal, it's the courage to continue that counts." – John Wooden

By following these steps and leveraging your network, you can increase your chances of successfully re-recruiting and finding a role that better aligns with your career goals and personal well-being. Good luck!

Sources: Seeking Advice - How to recover from being kicked out, How bad is getting fired in RE? Any comeback stories?, Burned Out - Quitting w/o an offer?, Q&A: I grew up in Consulting and reinvented my brand 3 times, Laid off, Depressed and Giving up...

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I left my first IB job after ~5 months when an opportunity arose to join a bigger bank with better deal flow. Moved to a completely new city where I didn't know anyone and the hours were going to be worse than my previous gig. I have not once in my life regretted making that decision, was able to learn so much more, created a much more impressive deal profile and have loved the new city I am in. My advice would be if you are truly not liking the bank/team, just start recruiting for a lateral ASAP, you don't owe any loyalty to your current bank and if you are feeling unmotivated than it will likely be better for both parties to replace you. Reach out to headhunters in your vertical and talk to connections at other banks, if you have a mentor/someone older in the industry not at your current shop, talk to them as well. Hope this helps.

 

Many thanks, very helpful. I’m hitting the 5-month mark soon.

How should I approach HH’s you think given that I’m early into the job? Feels like most people lateral at the 1-year mark but you seem to be an exception, congrats haha

 
Most Helpful

My process began through a connection from a college friend, they had some analysts leave for PE and he referred me to begin the process, so I did not have to deal with HH's. I would generally say that with a BB background, you will probably be a solid contender for a lot of opportunities. Reach out via email/linkedin and just say that you would like to have a conversation about any potential lateral opportunities, attach your resume and hope for the best. Some may be very helpful, others will not, but at the end of the day it's just a numbers game. Could also just cold apply to opportunities on Linkedin but that will usually have a much lower hit rate than a HH/Employee referral.

 

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