My pride and my mental health is not taking it very well, here’s the context and why: 1. Been on the FinTech space for over 15 years, have always exceeded expectations consistently and delivered, regardless of company or boss. 2. My 15+ yr experience was predominantly in retail banking, but two years ago I joined an investment banking startup. 3. The culture was challenging, and even though they called it a tech startup, it was run by Goldman, Blackrock, etc. execs. I felt it was a weird “club” vibe and they either liked you or didn’t. Skill didn’t matter and there seemed to be no accountability for some people. Optics seemed to be important. 4. I was brought in for a specific job, with an absent manager, and no ability to even get a budget (necessary for what I was supposed to accomplish). To complicate things further the job was not remotely what was presented to me in the interview, nonetheless I rolled with the punches because it’s a startup and things change. 5. Despite delivering for them, I don’t think I’ve been a good culture fit, and I’m being managed out. Most recently with a “needs improvement” end of year review which included some blatant lies despite sharing documented accomplishments even with the hurdles and limitations I had in the role. 6. My fear is that they’re documenting sub par performance to manage me out without my bonus and my equity. And that will hurt a little. I’ve spoken to a couple of employment attorneys, only upon recommendations from others, but also leading nowhere. Do I just accept the fact that it is what it is? I’m job searching but it will take me a little time at the level I’m looking for. Thoughts? Please be nice, I’m mentally drained over this. TC: $300k YOE: 15
Sorry to hear that. How much bonus and equity are you going to loose if they fire you today? If the bonus and equity is not worth that much, then just prepare for your next job and let them slowly manage you out. If the bonus and equity is high, then drag on your manage out period as long as you can till you get that vest
Significant bonus and equity unfortunately. Don’t wanna fight them just to fight them. I just want what I’ve worked hard for.
Just find some other job and try to buy yourself as much time as possible. The exact same thing happened to me ahd I don't think we are the only ones. Try to buy yourself as much time as possible and document whatever good deliveries you have. Try to find an alliance and see if the person can document in your favor. This should buy you a bit more time, but if your manager is actively doing stuff to kick you out, just try to find something else, even in this tough environment. Good luck
Thank you everyone, really. I just needed to hear it out loud. Sucks how employees can be treated sometimes.
It really depends how much you are mentally suffering. You have to take that into consideration as well. If you were to suffer through another month of this, would the $$ be worth it? Would you be in good enough condition to interview for another role? I don't know what your financial responsibilities are now, but there is the option to just leave, even without another job. I've done that to preserve my own ego and mental health. It was totally worth it.
Mentally I’m at the verge of a breakdown and my gut says just leave. But my rationale says we’re possibly entering into a recession, and lots of layoffs and hiring freezes are happening now so it’s not the smartest thing to do.
Leetcode and system design? You can just use the equity and bonus to negotiate a signon bonus
These things happen especially at senior levels in investment banking. Managing up, managing relationship and branding are equally important as your technical prowess (if not more do) if you're a senior person in a ib role. Hopefully you'll have some garden leave and time to find a new role. Besides, doesn't sound like you're to happy there either. Take this as an opportunity to reset and find something more aligned.
Yeah I think this is where I’m conflicted. I’m more a “skill over optics” person. I hate playing the optics game. I came from retail banking and I feel it wasn’t as pronounced as it is in investment banking. Anyway you’re right, I need to focus on the fact that I still have a bit of a runway to reset and rethink my next steps. Thank you.
this is unfortunately the culture in investment banking. It's about putting in hours and fitting in. You can't do one without the other. An unemployment lawyer won't be able to do anything as culture fit is a legitimate reason to mark someone as under-performing. The main advice anyone should follow when considering a start up, is to ensure you are a good fit with the CEO and/or founders as they dictate 100% of the startup's culture. A startup run by Goldman and Blackrock types was always going to be an ass kissing boys club sweatshop.
Yeah it’s vile. Not an industry I’ll ever go back to. The founders are actually really down to earth good people. The CEO is a psychopath however and so are 70% of the executive leadership team. I don’t kiss ass. But they can suck my….I’m done with that place and will be making moves come the new year. Ain’t nothing worth this, if skill alone isn’t enough. Everyone’s right in that there’s no point wasting energy on this. I came, I learned, I am moving on.
Shit happens sometimes. Don’t take it personally and move on. It’s not worth fighting them over this. Invest that energy into finding another opportunity. It won’t matter much in the big picture.