Offer Advice - Help
Background - Graduated class of 2020 at a top 20 school with 3.6 gpa and have been living at home trying to network for opportunities since the spring (had a bunch of interviews fall through when shit hit the fan in March). I was focusing my efforts in the city I wanted to end up (2 million metro, not huge financial hub but not small, big alumni base), where my girlfriend is and most of my friends are. I've talked with at least someone at most groups in the area. I'd really like to end up there long term.
Just got a great offer over the weekend for an analyst position at a big asset management shop in their Chicago office. Position starts in August, but will be remote for some time after that. If it wasn't for location, I'd take the offer in a heartbeat. I've got a week to decide.
Is there any leverage I can use with the groups I've been talking to in my target city to see if they would budge on taking an analyst? None are advertising open positions or have hinted at taking someone new with everything thanks to corona. How bad would it look if I took the offer and left within a year?
Really trying to weigh my options.
My advice (based on some personal history, thus maybe biased....).....
Take the offer, move to Chicago
If you don't you could very easily come to regret it. First jobs can easily set career trajectory, an analyst job at a "big AM shop" don't come easily, just look at the people dying to get an offer like that here on WSO. If you wan to move back to a secondary city, it will be way easier and at far better terms with this experience on your resume. You are young (given grad date), this is the time. If you turn this down, you may really regret it, if you find this was a mistake you can switch. I really don't recommend jumping at one year, but if you to go be with family or back 'home', people will understand. You will be far better place to negotiate in the smaller city after 2-3 years experience. Or, you may decide this other career is way better. You need to try it to find out.
Take the risk, or lose the chance!
Take it brotha.
My first real job offer was from a very large REPE firm in Chicago. Flew me in and out first class, went to lunch with acquisitions and asset management teams, the whole nine right. Well, I decided from a young age that I was bound to be working in NYC and no where else. So I respectfully declined the Chicago offer.
Took me over a full year to get another offer, thankfully in NYC. But the firm I work for now is on a much, much lower tier than the Chicago firm (and I'm not even doing what I truly want to be). If I wasn't such a cocky fuck when I was 22, I would have spent however many years I had to in Chicago to develop true knowledge and a network. Then when the time was right, move to NYC.
You live and you learn I suppose, but OP - don't let location be a factor so early in your career. I would have killed for the Chicago REPE job now looking back on it. You will get to where you want to be eventually. Everyone's path is different.
Thank you for sharing this. I myself am going through some major regret episodes now and it's so destructive but I can't get out. Would you mind if I PM you for some advice on how you cope with that unproductive feeling?
Go ahead, happy to help
Honestly, don’t be afraid to post a thread about it. People have regrets, man. I know I do for sure.
I think you’d be surprised how many people are right there with you yet do not let it cast a shadow over their life.
Curious but what do you mean saying it was your first real job offer and how it took you over another year to find one? Were you a grad student, part time, etc?
I was working full time at that point, but my job was a joke and you seriously couldn't compare the two firms and the positions, duties, and pay. It was day and night. So that's what I mean by first "real" offer - a serious salary, with great benefits, relocation bonus, hella pto, education assistance, etc all that. The reason it took over a year to find something similar is because that type of offer is hard to secure in NYC - extremely competitive, but made it work somehow.
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