Just need some career advice here

I'm a first year associate. I started off at a large institutional shop out of college and worked there for 2 years. Went over to a well known development shop (focusing on creative office and upscale retail/multi family) and have been there for one year at the end of this month. I knew it was a mistake two weeks in. Major reorganization, high turnover, and blatant dishonesty about the job.

I've been networking, interviewing, etc since my three month mark but cannot get an offer. I've been able to interview at decent shops (MF, banks with REIM arms, good REPE funds). I know if I keep at it I can land a good opportunity. But, I'm about to lose my mind at this job so I'm seriously considering giving my notice and continuing my search. I know this is an unfavorable decision to make, but it's how I've been feeling for the past 9 months.

Can someone chime in and give some advice before I make this decision? Someone who has been through something like this early on in their careers? What is the job search process like without a job, especially at the associate level?

 

That happened to me before. Dishonesty about a role...

Suck it up until you sign an offer. Stay positive, work hard, and interview/network your ass off. I left a position fairly early into my start date. I didn't, however, leave without a signed offer with higher compensation/better work from another firm in had.

Persistence overcomes resistance.

 
Best Response

Don't discuss it until after an official offer, if ever. Nobody wants to hear about how much your current employer sucks/is screwing you because they'll just assume that's what you're going to think about insert new firm/job/role.

If it comes up at all misdirect. Say something to the affect of, while I enjoy my current role/firm/whatever, I'm really looking for a new challenge and to grow my career in a direction like the one provided by name of company/market/sector where you're interviewing. If they push, just explain how you've learned a lot and you think you've reached past the entry level point and are looking to make a change, nobody should really push beyond that because it makes total sense. Or you could just say you know what, I thought development looked awesome and super sexy but it turns out that it sucks just as much as any other job and it just wasn't where I want to spend the rest of my career. All good answers, you just have to be able to adjust to your interviewer's personality and give them what they want to hear.

 

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