Just quit my job

So I just quit my job in a corporate finance training program (identical to FMP), because it was miserable. Although my parents are considering disowning me, I'm pretty happy with the move. Anyways - I really want to lateral into financial services or anything market related, but the fact that I just quit my last job might be a turn off to employers.

I've managed 2 interviews in the next 2 weeks, and obviously they are going to ask about me leaving my last position, any advice as to what I should say? Basically the last job was 100% accounting, and I was about to be moved to west bumfuck to do more accounting, and I needed out. If you saw my resume you'd think I was a CPA, but in reality I love markets and absolutely need to become involved in them.

I am going to say as of now -

1) There was no growth for me in the company individually or professionally, since I was being lead on an accounting career path, and since my interests simply don't lie in that field of work so it would be impossible for me to grow individually. 2) It is a big career move for me, if I didn't step out of the field now I'd be cemented in corp finance accounting roles, 4-5 years down the road if my background is strictly in corp finance accounting/audit type positions it will be harder to lateral then instead of stepping out now and seeking entry-level financial services positions.

Also anybody who made this lateral feel free to PM me...

If you want to see my background and assess my resume refer to my other post - http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/resume-feed…

6 Comments
 
Best Response

Just my opinion, but I think honesty is the best policy in this situation. You wanted to pursue something more markets-related, and took a calculated risk by quitting and re-focusing your efforts. If you demonstrate further initiative--CFA prep or something that shows you're not idling on your ass all day, I think this makes a somewhat compelling story for people to give you a shot and see how you pan out.

 

Just network your ass off, and make finding your ideal gig your FT job. If / when it comes up in an interview (and it will) just say you weren't being challenged at work and you wanted to dedicate your time to finding the job you wanted and doing some incremental studying to get up to speed with the needed skill-set.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 

Consequatur neque doloremque itaque eos. Eaque voluptatem consequuntur tempora a. Magni praesentium natus eaque quo quia quae.

Nihil aut numquam facere suscipit iure eligendi voluptas. Quae ipsum voluptatum quas aut. Maiores et minus nemo corporis eligendi non corrupti. Eos quam eius ut animi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”