Finance strategy / CFO advisory
Finance transformation, strategy, CFO advisory, finance and performance… goes under many names but…
Can anyone provide insights on the type of projects? What do you actually do as a junior consultant, how is WLB and do you enjoy it?
What are exit ops in the industry? I imagine, FP&A, Corp development and strategy?
Currently doing IB and feel like I never have to think, just make pretty slides. Looking to get a bit more practical and actually solve problems and
Mentor
I asked in one interview and the HR came back with feedback - "the panel thought you might have reservations with the demanding nature of this role".
M1 - good that you asked. Saved yourself time from getting to a place and being in the same situation.
Subject Expert
Why beat around the bush?
Ask what the hours are like, during normal times and during a push. Ask how often pushes come around.
Subject Expert
I asked this question to every company I interviewed with when exiting, and they all came with straightforward answers.
I actually withdrew my candidacy from a couple of companies where I wasn’t satisfied with the answer.
Coach
“Tell me about your work-life balance, without telling me about your work-life balance.”
I typically ask once I have an offer (or earlier if I have an interview or conversation with a direct peer). I pretty explicitly ask for hours/times they work, both in the office (or expected to be actively online, in WFH times) and after hours. I also ask about peak times (what is the worst it can be, and how often does that happen).
Mentor
Ask them to describe a typical day / week in the role / team
Coach
Turnover
Mentor
I ask during the interview directly. If teams are uncomfortable answering its a good sign they have a sucky culture and sucky WLB. Two things that are dealbreakers
Mentor
Say: At my firm I work 8 am to 1130 pm, are the hours the pretty similar here? (Act surprised when they say no. Oh, what are they usually)
Ask for a few words to describe the company culture and look out for anything that sounds like work hard play hard. Then follow up after you get the offer 🤷♂️
The interviewer
I ask how do you manage your time on projects, +1’s, and practice development.
Mentor
Simple. You don’t.
Sounds risky
I just asked how’s the work life balance after I got my offer. No need to beat around the bush.
“Do people here use all of their alotted vacation?”
Thank you all very much
To get at work/life balance, I ask the following: 1) Describe the typical work day for someone in this role; 2) Describe how someone in this role can exceed your/customer expectations; and 3) Describe what keep you/your leadership/your customers up at night.