Losing hope now...should I give up my dream?

I have left my previous job and have been searching for jobs for 6 months until now. My career search strategy was not focused, because I was afraid to put all eggs in a basket, plus my career background was quite diversified and moved in different roles a bit. Since my long term goal is to do a job related to investment, I have been applying to equity research, consulting, big 4 advisory, and corporate strategy roles. I feel quite lost because I do not have a single and specific role I would be 100% to pursue at this stage. At the same time, I think it would be a good idea to keep my options open.

Currently, I have only received two offers, which is a relationship manager role at a well known corporate bank. The pay is acceptable (30% lower than my previous job), but it is a relationship manager role which I'm not extremely interested in. Over the past 6 months, I have worked hard on case interviews and equity research techniques to try to find an analytical role. On the other hand, I have an offer from a financial advisory firm, but the pay is only 1/5 compared to my previous position, given that the role is fairly junior and is based in south-east Asia.

Would appreciate any thoughts - should I continue my job search given that I've been out of job market for 6 months? Should I take on any of the 2 offers: one with good salary but might be a role I don't enjoy, one that pays extremely low but is a role that meets my career goal and would be a good platform to develop expertise? I am inclined to accept the relationship manager role given my limited options now, but I fear that I will regret doing something I don't enjoy just for the salary. Thanks for your thoughts.

 
Most Helpful

Here are just a few things I’d think about: 1. The economy is a dumpster fire, so it would probably be good to pick one of the two. 2. The cost of living in SE Asia is also probably a lot lower; still a big pay cut I’m sure, but worth thinking about. 3. Consider what you value more - money or a more fulfilling job. 4. Consider upside for the SE Asia job. Maybe you can climb the ladder quickly.

Overall, as long as you aren’t going into poverty or something similar, I would choose the job that gets you closer to where you want to be in 10-15 years. Good luck

 

Ratione quia aut consequatur eos fugiat earum quia. Et illum est ratione et debitis atque eos. Perferendis eos consequatur omnis error laborum non dolorem sint.

Quod sapiente harum rerum molestiae. Accusamus similique recusandae qui aliquid non dolorum ea. Eveniet et aut ad. Omnis dolorum quos dolores consequatur excepturi consequuntur. Nobis aut tempora nesciunt alias. Consequatur sunt magni distinctio sed.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”