Best lifestyle groups

Thought it could be interesting to hear what groups out there people think highly of for a career in IB. The Goldman TMT and MS M&A type groups are great for analyst exits, but what groups are great for associates and VPs who want to stay?

As an associate in RX, I know variability between groups and banks is massive. The EVR RX bankers seem much happier than the GHL or HL RX bankers I’ve worked with.

Who else likes their jobs?

 
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These questions are almost impossible to answer because even within groups at bank it will vary from deal team to deal team. I have MD/Directors who micro-manage and crush any chance of lifestyle and others who stay out of execution almost entirely. 

You must ask yourself:

1) Are you in a coverage/M&A execution role? If yes = likely no lifestyle, when on live transactions all bets are off whether it is a $50M deal or a $5Bn deal. Things will pop up at all hours 24/7, just the nature of doing transactions

2) Are you good at your job? If yes = likely no lifestyle, people will be constantly staffing you on things, you'll be put on larger/more complex/hairier things because people know you are competent

3) Are you at the right level of seniority/stature within the firm to be able to have significant influence over the things/people you work with? If yes = you can potentially dictate your lifestyle a bit better but see 1) and 2)

So what does this mean? It is possible to find a better lifestyle as you move up the chain but you'll never have consistent 50-hour, 9-6 weeks if you are working on transactions. The best you can do is find your place within your group and try to work on more predictable transaction types (e.g. broad M&A sellsides for example) with seniors who are good (bring in business) and give you independence to run the deal on a timeline largely driven by you.

 

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