Are people busy? What are your hours like in the new year?
I loved the last 2 weeks of 2023 because it was very quiet for me and everyone in my group and I was expecting things to pick up in the new year. However, that hasn’t been the case and I’m feeling antsy given how quiet it’s been. To put things into context, this past week, I’ve received <20 emails per day during the week and <10 emails the entire weekend. I’m a senior associate at a BB and it seems like most people in my group are quite busy. I’m trying to understand if others are in a similar situation or if this is specific to me?
I think it’s generally pretty quite relative to prior years (sans last year) but it’s also just after new years. I’m seeing a lot of “2nd half ‘24” chatter but people have been wrong about this rebound for the last 2 years now.
Thanks, yep that’s in line with what we’re hearing as well. Lots of “M&A to rebound in 2024” slides with the same bullets as same time last year (i.e. uncertainty of markets, lots of sponsor dry powder, less restrictive regulatory environment, etc.)
Are your coworkers busy with deals (as in mandated deals with a good % chance of closing) or pitch work?
It’s a mix, I was say 50/50 live vs BD. I spoke with more people in my group since I posted and the consensus is certain sectors are quite busy, partly driven by activism while others are snoozing.
I’m getting absolutely bent over and doing my best to not flip my shit. I’m extremely overworked past 3-4 months and the perks I get (everyone knows I get fucked so I get some leeway with expenses) don’t nearly make up for what comp for my contribution should be.
We’ll see what happens. I don’t want to move jobs but feels like nobody actually cares bc I always get the work done anyways.
I really need to take some time off but I would be under water when I returned given the current work I have
Short answer: if you’re overworked and underpaid / undervalued, it’s time for a change. Could be a different role or industry entirely. But the quickest way to a promotion or higher pay is by jumping to a competitor.
Yup you’re not wrong. Job was great but had some reorg which changed the dynamics a great deal.
Great experience, been promoted twice in 2 years, but just burnt out
Getting absolutely smoked. Haven’t worked under 90hrs a week since thanksgiving and that includes Christmas week. Getting very burnt out and tired of this. Even more disappointing when you consider that bonuses will be shit this year
I’m sorry, that’s rough. Hopefully bonuses won’t be as bad as expected.
You’re a senior associate worried about how many emails you received over the weekend? If you can’t sit back and enjoy when you have some down time then you’re probably not very good. I’d start brushing up the res.
I don’t know what level you’re at but the worrying doesn’t end as you become more senior, if anything, it gets worse. I truly enjoyed the 2 weeks of doing absolutely nothing during the holidays but as you get more senior, you need to start thinking about your own pipeline. You may be suggesting that because I’m not super busy as a senior associate, they must not be giving me work because I am bad. News flash, when you start to specialize and focus on one sector, you’re no longer treated like a commodity, a widget made to plug in everywhere. Obviously it’s a personal decision to specialize vs. stay broad and there are pros and cons to each but this comment provides 0 value except generate negativity.
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