Hi I am working in a big Wall St investment bank as an SDE. ( Using my wife’s login here, as did not want to give away the employer’s name) Yoe: 15+yrs, TC :200k Completely bored at work. No scope of growing, no chance of getting any interesting work in the future. No chance of TC increasing much either. Also very toxic environment. I want to join one of the top tech or fintech/hedge funds in nyc. Started preparing , leetcoding 4 months back. Gave onsite at G and FB and failed both. At FB, was close to get an offer but did not make it finally. My leetcoding is not good enough. I am told design interviews went well. I am enjoying leetcoding and refreshing CS stuff, but unfortunately work days, I hardly get any time. Also after a workday , I feel so down and miserable, my mental energy is completely drained. Now I am considering quitting and doing CS self study (basically leetcoding) fulltime. Financially, I will be able to manage fine if I dont get a job within a year. But will it be too risky? Will the gap in resume look too bad ? Left alone I wont think so much, but my wife is scared. What do you guys think?
No. Don't quit without an offer unless your work environment is so toxic it is damaging your mental or physical health. Being bored is a horrible reason you'll regret if you can't find a job.
Yes, it makes me feel miserable and I am finding it very difficult to motivate myself to do anything now.
I mean, you do you, but realize that it's totally possible you'll leave and encounter problems finding a new job. If the idea of possibly being unemployed for months or years in a worst case scenario is okay, then go for it. Just know it's a gamble. If you really think you'll find a new job quick, take time off at work to focus on the job hunt without quitting.
IMO try not to show gap on resume. If you really want break, at least have some personal project on resume. Or you can try not to take much load of ofc work and try to study. Even I am going through same situation. Long working day and then study in evening and night. Don’t Give Up!! If you want to continue with work, just keep your focus on study. I am leetcoding and practicing interviews on pramp, staying in NJ. If you want we can connect for study as well. And I am looking job in NYC at Financial firm. If you are open, please refer me in your current organization 😊
You dont want to work in this environment, trust me. Anyways, hiring freeze now.
I think you are from MorganS***. 😅
Don't quit until you find a new job. Take 2 weeks off and prepare full-time maybe?
I did that already once. So cannot again now. Two weeks not enough, I need about 3 months full time to feel really confident. Those two weeks I took off, I really enjoyed. Studied about 12-14 hours everyday, totally focussed. That's why I want to do that more.
Take a 1 month emergency leave in that case. 1 month full-time prep should suffice for leetcode as far as I know. Just my opinion, I am just recommending what I would do if I were you :)
Don't quite before securing new role
When you say this... It scares a sh!+ Out of H1b desis. Are you on GC or a citizen? <= If this, I AM JEALOUS. Take a break detox your mind and sure learn something new. Use your knowledge, experience and new things that your learn to switch to a new career. This is a land of opportunities! America is Great!
I was in a similar situation last year so I quit and took a break for a year. After a year when I was looking for a job none of the tech companies I talked to were bothered with the gap on my resume. The only recruiters who asked me about the break were from traditional financial companies and I couldn’t care less about those companies. I think the only risk you have is that of recession otherwise you should be able to find a job in some tech company.
The grass is greener in tech sector, isn’t it. A year worth of income is not something I’d recommend anyone. Can be hundreds of thousands
That's heartening. Btw, how is the work at IBG? Also how is the TC there, I might have an interview coming up there.
If you quit they will think you got fired
I think this is a no brainer, quit and use 1-3 months to study. If people ask about the gap say it was a sabbatical after 15+ years of working. You got tired and had lots of saved money to travel. Or relax. That’s the position of power that’s half true you can tell them. But if you do this you’ll need to apply to more companies and accept whatever you get, right?
Never quit before offer. Sun tzu.
Would you mind elaborating a bit, why you think so?
When I interview people I can feel when someone has no job even if they didn’t tell me. You need to come from position of power and being unemployed projects weakness. You’ll negotiate a better deal when employed