Reply to: Why do I need current investment banking experience?

[Ruse]

Went for 2 interviews for 2 different jobs with "a certain, very large German IB" with a gap of about 4 years between them. In that 4 years they hadn't changed one iota: rude, arrogant and utterly unprofessional. I refused to go back for second interviews on both occasions.

Mind you, my worst ever contract was with "Britain's largest retailer". Not one single contractor left that place on good terms, myself included.

I guess, when it comes to contracting at least, no industry is safe!

Nomadd

I think the key word here is German rather than IB. I once worked for a large German retailer based in the UK. The senior managers would come over regularly and literally scream at the work force. They would be on the ground floor and I would be able to hear them clearly from my 2nd floor office. The other strange thing was that you were always addressed as Mr/Herr, no first names, I never really got used to that.

[nomadd]

I think the difference of opinion maybe due to the individual IB culture, I worked at American IBs, British IBs and European ones (Amsterdam) frankly the British IBs are the best, the American/German IBs are just awful, I would avoid them at all cost(well unless am desperate and can’t find another contract haha!!)

Went for 2 interviews for 2 different jobs with "a certain, very large German IB" with a gap of about 4 years between them. In that 4 years they hadn't changed one iota: rude, arrogant and utterly unprofessional. I refused to go back for second interviews on both occasions.

Mind you, my worst ever contract was with "Britain's largest retailer". Not one single contractor left that place on good terms, myself included.

I guess, when it comes to contracting at least, no industry is safe!

Nomadd

[RedTag]

I think the difference of opinion maybe due to the individual IB culture, I worked at American IBs, British IBs and European ones (Amsterdam) frankly the British IBs are the best, the American/German IBs are just awful, I would avoid them at all cost(well unless am desperate and can’t find another contract haha!!)

I've worked for US, Swiss and UK and they've all been great.

[zamzummim]

Actually, thinking about it, I also worked for a US oil company, that was awful too, lots of politics and backstabbing - so perhaps it’s the American work culture thing.

[zamzummim]

I think the difference of opinion maybe due to the individual IB culture, I worked at American IBs, British IBs and European ones (Amsterdam) frankly the British IBs are the best, the American/German IBs are just awful, I would avoid them at all cost(well unless am desperate and can’t find another contract haha!!)

[RedTag]

I can second that (both points) In fact I did once accept a role with the 'bugger' and left after 2 months as they turned out to be even worse than I feared. But I've been in IB for around 10 years and 90% of the people are very nice and friendly.

Yup - another vote for IB's here. Great places to work.

[Lewis]

I'm a Contractor, not a Gentleman.

<aside>
Can't understand all the negative replies about Investment Banking on this site? I've worked for three of them now, in total covering a period of about 6 years of my 20 year contracting career. I've worked on interesting projects with really nice teams of people; my current gig being a good example of that. You really couldn't wish to work with a nicer bunch.

Now, I'll admit, I've turned down plenty of IB work over the years as I just hated the buggers who were interviewing me. But then that's the trick, I guess, making sure you don't end up working with a bunch of a-holes in the first place...
</aside>

Nomadd

I can second that (both points) In fact I did once accept a role with the 'bugger' and left after 2 months as they turned out to be even worse than I feared. But I've been in IB for around 10 years and 90% of the people are very nice and friendly.

[nomadd]

Investment Banking - no place for a Gentleman.

I'm a Contractor, not a Gentleman.

<aside>
Can't understand all the negative replies about Investment Banking on this site? I've worked for three of them now, in total covering a period of about 6 years of my 20 year contracting career. I've worked on interesting projects with really nice teams of people; my current gig being a good example of that. You really couldn't wish to work with a nicer bunch.

Now, I'll admit, I've turned down plenty of IB work over the years as I just hated the buggers who were interviewing me. But then that's the trick, I guess, making sure you don't end up working with a bunch of a-holes in the first place...
</aside>

Nomadd

[Grunter]

That was enough Croydon for a lifetime for me.
Nomadd

Oh no its not! An excellent place. A watering hole for every day of the year!

[AlfredJPruffock]

Investment Banking - no place for a Gentleman.

[Evil Hangover]

Oh no I don't.

Went there to have my bike dyno'd after I'd had a bit of tuning work done on it a few years ago. That was enough Croydon for a lifetime for me.

Nomadd

Given the choice between the bench and a job in Croydon, I'd take the bench EVERY time.

[nomadd]

You want to try working in Croydon.

Oh no I don't.

Went there to have my bike dyno'd after I'd had a bit of tuning work done on it a few years ago. That was enough Croydon for a lifetime for me.

Nomadd

[GreenerGrass]

£450? That's a "carp" rate for an IB, even in the current market.

Also, Docklands isn't Central London. Docklands is a wind-swept wasteland - with Skyscrapers - in the far, Far East (of London). A truly horrid place. (I know, I spent 4 years working there; never again.)

Nomadd

I don't mind it actually, bit different to the square mile but could be worse. You want to try working in Croydon.

[HairyArsedBloke]

I always imagined that IB was full of nobs, am I right?

[RedTag]

It depends if you yourself are a nob. In my case, I don't notice all the other nobs so I don't have an issue.