Losing hope now...should I give up my dream?

I have left my previous job and have been searching for jobs for 6 months until now. My career search strategy was not focused, because I was afraid to put all eggs in a basket, plus my career background was quite diversified and moved in different roles a bit. Since my long term goal is to do a job related to investment, I have been applying to equity research, consulting, big 4 advisory, and corporate strategy roles. I feel quite lost because I do not have a single and specific role I would be 100% to pursue at this stage. At the same time, I think it would be a good idea to keep my options open.

Currently, I have only received two offers, which is a relationship manager role at a well known corporate bank. The pay is acceptable (30% lower than my previous job), but it is a relationship manager role which I'm not extremely interested in. Over the past 6 months, I have worked hard on case interviews and equity research techniques to try to find an analytical role. On the other hand, I have an offer from a financial advisory firm, but the pay is only 1/5 compared to my previous position, given that the role is fairly junior and is based in south-east Asia.

Would appreciate any thoughts - should I continue my job search given that I've been out of job market for 6 months? Should I take on any of the 2 offers: one with good salary but might be a role I don't enjoy, one that pays extremely low but is a role that meets my career goal and would be a good platform to develop expertise? I am inclined to accept the relationship manager role given my limited options now, but I fear that I will regret doing something I don't enjoy just for the salary. Thanks for your thoughts.

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Here are just a few things I’d think about: 1. The economy is a dumpster fire, so it would probably be good to pick one of the two. 2. The cost of living in SE Asia is also probably a lot lower; still a big pay cut I’m sure, but worth thinking about. 3. Consider what you value more - money or a more fulfilling job. 4. Consider upside for the SE Asia job. Maybe you can climb the ladder quickly.

Overall, as long as you aren’t going into poverty or something similar, I would choose the job that gets you closer to where you want to be in 10-15 years. Good luck

 

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