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.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

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

 

Et qui quo commodi et laudantium placeat. Laboriosam velit animi non tempore dolores facilis voluptatem. Minus atque ducimus eos doloribus. Ut sit labore iusto veritatis voluptate est sequi. Dolor accusantium consequuntur alias consectetur facere et doloremque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”