I hate my job...

My job is so fucking unbelievable.
I'll try to sum it up by first telling you about the folks I work with:
First, there is this supermodel wanna-be chick. Yeah, okay, she is pretty hot, but damn is she completely useless. The girl is constantly fixing her hair or putting on makeup. She is extremely self-centered and has never once considered the needs or wants of anyone but herself. She is as dumb as a box of rocks, and I still find it surprising that she has enough brain power to continue to breathe.
The next chick is completely the opposite. She might even be one of the smartest people on the planet. Her career opportunities are endless, and yet she is here with us. She is a zero on a scale of 1 to 10. I'm not sure she even showers, much less shaves her "womanly" parts. I think she might be a lesbian, because every time we drive by the hardware store, she moans like a cat in heat.
But the jewel of the crowd has got to be the fucking stoner. And this guy is more than just your average pothead. In fact, he is baked before he comes to work, during work, and I'm sure after work. He probably hasn't been sober anytime in the last ten years, and he's only 22. He dresses like a beatnik throwback from the 1960's, and to make things worse, he brings his big fucking dog to work. Every fucking day I have to look at this huge Great Dane walk around half-stoned from the second-hand smoke. Hell, sometimes I even think it's trying to talk with its constant bellowing. Also, both of them are constantly hungry, requiring multiple stops to McDonalds and Burger King, every single fucking day.
Anyway, I drive these fucktards around in my van and we solve mysteries and shit.

 

Where do you work? This is an interesting work place. I work with all guys and 2 of them always talk about "plowing" women but can't even have a decent convo with a girl. Make it golden 1 is married with kids and on Tinder....

Greed is Good!
 

theres gotta be a job within finance that doesn't involve me cold calling and getting slammed, you're telling me theres no such thing as a desk job in finance? COMEEE ONNN

 
ds123:
theres gotta be a job within finance that doesn't involve me cold calling and getting slammed, you're telling me theres no such thing as a desk job in finance? COMEEE ONNN
Compliance Operations Margins clerk Admin Wholesalers Research IBD Trading Institutional sales IT etc etc etc etc

Let me guess...you went to a state school and became an AXA/Primerica broker? Dude, read this site a bit, there's a whole world of jobs that you don't even know exist. Thing is, they're sweet gigs and tough to get, so you have to educate yourself and revise your expectations.

Get busy living
 

thanks ufo, now thats a real answer. AND YES! lol i did come out of a state school but no i did not join AXA, i joined a lesser known independent broker-dealer. thats hilarious you called that out. thank you very much for your comment.

 

Take your book of business to a larger firm. They will pay benefits and all that good stuff. Once at a larger company, you can transition to other jobs within the company that are less sales oriented.

Example: PWM guys in my company have gone into compliance or branch administration. They sometimes get to keep their book, depending on the new job, and now have a salary and fixed hours, plus access to the corporate home office hierarchy. This way is somewhat tricky, but allows you to get the stability you desire without shitcanning your last few years of work completely...build on what you have to get where you want.

Just my $0.02

Get busy living
 
Best Response

Cdn working in Toronto/Calgary BB or in US?

If in Canada - check out Vlaad & Co. I've seen some people move to PE just short of 2 yrs. By the time you interview and get the offer, you may already have the 2 yrs exp mark. Though as you may or may not be aware, the Cdn PE market is small. Besides the pensions that may hire (primarily CPPIB, which is growing quickly and has the more traditional pyramid scheme with a ton of juniors at the bottom vs. OMERS and Teachers' which run much leaner), and maybe Onex - they bring on 1-3 associates each year, the MM PE shops are very lean and only hire as needed. The mezz market is really small in Canada.

If in US - again, call up the recruiters. A lot more shots in US and tons of MM PE firms.

Don't worry too much about people telling you that you don't have enough experience. Recruiters are just looking to get someone hired, and if they think your profile is good they'll shoot it over to the client. And if it's not, then it's up to you to keep in touch with them to see when jobs within your target are available. As long as they think you're presentable (personable, easy to work with, smart, not a total jackass) and marketable to their clients, they'll put you forward.

 
Febreeze:
This shit's killing me inside.

I've literally been counting the days until this internship will be over. I need a more effective coping mechanism.

alcohol or marijuana. I'd stay away from hard drugs while you're this stressed.

Or you could start eating right, exercising, and getting laid... assuming you don't.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 
D M:
Or you could start eating right, exercising, and getting laid... assuming you don't.

i'm doing all this (even quit smoking) - it's making me want to get out of work sooner than before.

T-3000:
Spend the cash that you've been making?

lol way ahead of you bro - been spending it furiously.

smartmoney27:
Be more grateful. Sorry for speaking like a monk but trust me it works.

i knew someone would bring this up. i'm grateful. i'd even continue doing this job if they decided to stop paying me.

Oreos:
write about it.
that's a great idea. not much goes on here, unfortunately. so far, i've just been imagining what would happen if the rest of the world would turn into zombies - who in my office would i kill, who would i bang? maybe switch up the scenario?
Floridarolf:
Try to do your work in a very short amount of time.(commit to unrealisticly short deadlines ) the time pressure will make the time go by faster.

lol.

 

And you best know I'm not serious about the alcohol/drugs. Just gotta push through it.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

write about it. i HATE my current job too, but to get me through the day every time something ridiculous, stupid or frustrating happens i write it in a blog esq style. i'm not an amusing enough writer to turn it into a real blog but it helps as often with jobs you hate it's hard to convey to those who don't work there how fucking awful it is; hence, telling yourself is useful.

a positive externality of this is that having a Word doc up looks like you're doing real work.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

Try to do your work in a very short amount of time.(commit to unrealisticly short deadlines ) the time pressure will make the time go by faster.

I was already so far beyond the point of no return that I couldn't remember what it had looked like when I had passed it.
 

Febreeze,

I deal with this daily. The job is way to easy and I have so much time on my hands.

I disagree with the above post saying do your job quickly. I let myself procrastinate as much as possible because then I never really run out of work. Thus, I am always busy either looking at something random on the internet or doing work. Instead of cranking out the work then sitting around trying to procrastinate.

Also, take LATE lunches. I have come to realize, getting to 1:30 is a breeze but getting to the end of the day is the hard part. The later the lunch, the shorter that afternoon really is

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
yeahright:
Febreeze,

I deal with this daily. The job is way to easy and I have so much time on my hands.

I disagree with the above post saying do your job quickly. I let myself procrastinate as much as possible because then I never really run out of work. Thus, I am always busy either looking at something random on the internet or doing work. Instead of cranking out the work then sitting around trying to procrastinate.

Also, take LATE lunches. I have come to realize, getting to 1:30 is a breeze but getting to the end of the day is the hard part. The later the lunch, the shorter that afternoon really is

i've actually just started doing the late lunch thing - and you're absolutely right. i might need to bump it up from 1 to 1:30...

and yeah,your first sentence is on point.

too bad chat is off limits - some of the stuff i've doing around here during down time would get me fired on the spot and i really wanna tone it down before something like that happens.

 
yeahright:
Febreeze,

I deal with this daily. The job is way to easy and I have so much time on my hands.

I disagree with the above post saying do your job quickly. I let myself procrastinate as much as possible because then I never really run out of work. Thus, I am always busy either looking at something random on the internet or doing work. Instead of cranking out the work then sitting around trying to procrastinate.

Also, take LATE lunches. I have come to realize, getting to 1:30 is a breeze but getting to the end of the day is the hard part. The later the lunch, the shorter that afternoon really is

I ALWAYS have work to do. No matter how fast I work, I always have something more since my superiors tend to give me all their shit. However, doing the job quickly really helps me. The time pressure makes me focus on the job (evein if I hate it) and it trains you to work more efficiently.

Having lunch late works too. Afternoon is shorter and it motivates me.

 

Same position bro, hate my FT job...but there's not really much I can do about it. I'm probably going to exit this position in a few months so I spend a decent amount of my 'unstructured' time at work getting ready for IBD recruitment. I read PDFs of finance books on one of my screens keeping and Excel schedule open on another or scour the internet for Alumnus to put into my networking database...helps pass the time, but also let me know I'm working towards something. Definitely helpful if you've got some downtime at the job.

Edit: Just tracked a few of your older posts, didn't realize you were in Corp. Fin as well, I'm an FP&A analyst so I share your pain.

'Before you enter... be willing to pay the price'
 

You could always try to take on more responsibility and ask for more work. Assuming you want a full-time offer extended to you after the internship, it's definitely a plus to show your boss that you're hard working. But if you're not planning on going back, then try those stock market simulations. It makes you feel like a hedge fund manager :D

 
TonyPerkis:
i know you said you quit smoking, but maybe start dipping or snusing? I know it makes my current job a hell of a lot more bearable

As a smoker who quit and then get started again because of dip... do NOT do this. Dipping has more nicotine in it than cigs do and you'll shortly find yourself craving a cigarette. Chewing just isn't the same.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Learn to code at work. If you have no background, start with something super simple, like VBA. Three benefits here: (1) time will FLY by (seriously... you start on a small project at 1pm, crack away for a while, next thing you know it's time to bounce). (2) you can potentially automate your shitty work tasks and make them much more tolerable to perform, huge for morale. (3) if you come to enjoy it and pursue it further, and actually pick it up, you will be like 10x more valuable to employers than you currently are

If that sounds dreadful to you, good--I myself was a non-STEM in ugrad, had zero interest in coding at all, and was basically forced to learn to code or be fired. Two years later I am at the level of a top CS ugrad guy, am a strat/developer by trade, and am insanely valuable compared to the non-coders in our office.

 
StryfeDSP:
If you're bored with merges & acquisitions you can always move into murder & executions. That might get you thorough the day.

no..trying to be cool and american psycho like is not kosher at all

I eat success for breakfast...with skim milk
 

I liked the coding suggestion; here are some more ideas:

1) Online dating. I'm completely serious here. This could save a lot of time. Let us know how it goes.

2) Write a blog. I'm not talking trolling on WSO or Bodybuilding.com- I mean actually working on your prose on a daily basis, becoming an expert on whatever topic you're blogging on, and getting your name out there. You can start by posting on Quora. .

3) Plan the weekend so you actually have something to look forward to. A lot of people just think that barhopping on Fridays in and of itself guarantees fun.... this shit gets old real fast. Go paintball or skydive or whitewater raft or ATV or go to a stand-up comedy class.

4) Help other people. Mentor some kid that wishes he was in your shoes.

There's always something to do.

 

God, why is it Monday already?

My weekends are awesome. I don't need online dating - I work 9-5, not banking hours.

Learning to code does sound incredibly dreadful, but I suppose it's better than what I'm doing.

No dippy for moi - I need a smoke just thinking about it.

Here's the real question - HOW DO PEOPLE DO THIS FULL TIME FOR YEARS ON END???

edit: lol it's Tuesday.

 

lol@+1'ing the worst suggestion in the entire thread.

The ball's in your court man. You can learn something useful or you can fuck around playing videogames wasting your time.

 
paulanderson:
lol@+1'ing the worst suggestion in the entire thread.

The ball's in your court man. You can learn something useful or you can fuck around playing videogames wasting your time.

lol I have an excel exercise book, but I rather play games. I don't find excel incredibly enjoyable brah.

edit: wow completely misread the original comment - thought they were games to help keep your excel skills upto par. i rather not play video games... something like a lumocity for excel?

 

I surf WSO all day because I have a new found obsession for bananas.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 

Can you listen to music at work? Try listening to loads of long podcasts and time your day in that fashion. eg, a flight from new york to london = 2 lord of the ring films. Get me? recommendations: TCGTE, find a couple sports podcasts, a bunch of comedy and factual podcasts from the bbc, freakonomics and 5by5 podcasts

'Corruption? Corruption is government intrusion into market efficiencies in the form of regulations. That's Milton Friedman. He got a goddamn Nobel Prize.'
 

Try and stick it out until you've finished your first year. If you got there in August, stick it out to get the bonus and then quit. Better yet, start applying to grad schools right now so you have a graceful backup exit plan.

If you're at a job for less than a year, it's almost better for you if you just don't list it on your resume. Stick it out for a year (ideally 18 months) and it will look better to your next employer.

 

I have worked in places or have done rotations which I have absolutely hated, but what always helps if is you get into a routine and find something about it that you really like. If you are getting sick try sneaking a lunch time nap or bathroom stall time out. Get some Yerba, ginkgo, emergency, whatever to keep you alert and keep your immune system going. Talk to your analyst friends, they are going through the same thing and can lend some support.

Ultimately it is up to you to decide how much you hate it, but I would stick it out. Things are always miserable in the beginning, but after a while you adapt to them. Good luck!

 

How long have you been in your current position? I'd say stick it out for a year. I know it must suck, but a year isnt actually THAT long. Set a goal for yourself. By next Christmas, you'll be done with the job, and at home chillin with your friends/family.

 
alcman:
So now that I finally landed a spot as an Analyst at a top-tier IB, I find that I don't like it at all. The hours are killing me, I am getting physically ill and I miss all my friends that I no longer get to see. Everyday at work is like torture to me.

That seriously sucks, sounds like you honestly hate your job. Life is too short to spend hating your job, so now you need to rack your brain and decide your next plan of attack.

alcman:
What should I do?

That depends. Where do you want to be 5 years from now? What jobs would probably make you happy? You'll have to do a lot of soul searching to figure out what your best play is.

If really want to get a job that this experience is really valuable for, it might make sense to tough it out for one or two years (as hard as that may be). For example, if getting into PE, or going to HBS is where you really want to be, then staying is probably your best option. If on the other hand, you want to do something where the IB experience isn't as useful, you should get out as soon as possible. For example, if you want to teach K-12, or get a PhD, or something completely different from finance, then quitting soon and making the transition is probably your best strategy. Or, if you want to work in a completely different area of finance (like maybe working for a fund-of-funds), then maybe it's best to try and land that job asap.

alcman:
I don't want to just quit because that would mean I would disappoint the many people that have helped me along the way and that believe in me.

I wouldn't let that influence my decision too much. It's easy to get stuck in things that make you unhappy, when your friends and family are proud of you, or when others had to pull some strings to help you out. However, letting that influence your decision will probably lead you to do stuff you regret down the road. If staying for a year or two can lead to the job you truly want, that's one thing. But staying to please other people is not healthy for you.

alcman:
Besides, I don't really have any other job lined up anyways. But I absolutely hate the prospect of spending another year or even two in this job.

Yeah, you probably shouldn't quit until you find something else. In regards to staying for another year or two, it really depends on how much that would help you reach your long-term goals. (And on whether or not you can handle another year or two, but in most cases people can tough something out for that long.)

 

Try to stick it out until year 2. As a second year, your life is FAR more predictable, you get paid more, and you're generally faster/better and therefore work less. You also get more respect from your co-workers. If year 2 rolls around and you still hate it, it would not be too extreme to get out.

When I was going through my analyst years, I had times when I was ready to quit. If my boss had come up to me and gave me an out, I would have taken it. Part of me secretly hoped I would get downsized and get to go early with a severence. I was hearing about other banks where they let their 2nd years leave early to start their PE jobs and gave them a "going away" bonus. I was extremely jealous of this. On my last day on the job, I realized it was all worth it. The long hours, loads of crap I dealt with, and everything else that came with banking resulted in my learning a TON. I am very, very happy for what it did to my career and would sign up for it again if I had to do it all over.

Try to stick it out. You'll realize in the end that it will be a career defining job for you.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

Talk to your COO and see whether he's able to help get you off some deals so you have a little more rest. I don't see that as a sign of weakness - it's better to be destaffed if you are working on too many deals, rather than do a bad job on those deals.

You have to think about whether your hours are due to the group/job or the senior guys that you are working with currently. I went through a hellish 6 months because I was staffed with a Director and VP straight from hell. After that deal got announced and I moved on to other deals, my life became much much better.

 

I'm also a first year, basically in the same shoes. Miserable, don't think I'm getting a good experience and want out quickly.

It's easy for people to say stick it out, and while I'd like to think it was that easy, when you're at the point where you're so miserable/depressed to go into work, you really just need to make moves, in my opinion. I've begun talking to headhunters about both finance and non finance roles. It's not easy BC 7 months of experience is a tough sell, but IMO life is too short to be miserable like this.

 
weeds499:
It's easy for people to say stick it out, and while I'd like to think it was that easy, when you're at the point where you're so miserable/depressed to go into work, you really just need to make moves, in my opinion. I've begun talking to headhunters about both finance and non finance roles.

It's true, one year can seem like forever when you hate what you're doing. As I've mentioned before, I'm unhappy in my grad program. I'm trying to stick it out and earn the masters degree, but sometimes I don't even care if I flunk out, because it's hard to tough it out when you hate it.

weeds499:
but IMO life is too short to be miserable like this.

Good advice. I guess the flip side is, you don't want to regret not sticking it out for one or two years when you look back in 10.

 
It's easy for people to say stick it out, and while I'd like to think it was that easy, when you're at the point where you're so miserable/depressed to go into work, you really just need to make moves, in my opinion. I've begun talking to headhunters about both finance and non finance roles. It's not easy BC 7 months of experience is a tough sell, but IMO life is too short to be miserable like this.
I'm not sure how much success you'll have finding another job with so little experience.

Suggestions:

1.) Start taking St. John's Wort. You will feel less miserable. 2.) Put up a calendar. It's 150 days. Cross off each day as it ends; it will feel like you're getting there a little faster. Remind yourself how much better you'll feel when it's finally over. At that point, you can quit and have a decent chance of finding another job- and you'll have a first year bonus, to boot. 3.) Make sure you're close to work and/or taking advantage of the car service.

 

Well ideally you are miserable enough or confident enough in your decision to leave. Def the most important, that you don't regret it. Find something you at least enjoy to a certain extent, leave, and don't ever think about it again.

Most people will tell you to stick it out for 2 years - as a lot of people have told me. Sure, I'm the exit ops are great, but 2 years means a lot to me. Might me less to others, or they are more willing to sacrifice more, but to each their own. Just figure out if your willing to sacrifice it and go from there.

 

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