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Need some advice here. I am a fullstack developer with 5 yoe in Angular and Python. My aim is to crack FAANG companies.Now I got an offer from HSBC in a credit risk model monitoring role using Python.It is close to a data engineer role.
My question is that will it be a good idea to shift from development role to a model monitoring role if I want to move to FAANG in the future?Or does FAANG not prefer people who are not in core development roles?Amazon Microsoft Google Adobe PwC EY Citi Barclays JPMorgan Chase
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Hi everyone! having tackled virtual onboarding personally I wanted to write about my experience to help new starters and managers go through the process. I also spoke to two friends (one starting at Deloitte and the other at an early stage startup). Hope it helps you all! hipr.pl/37DgkAm
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There is ALWAYS a learning curve. Recognize it takes time to adapt. Align yourself with people who will coach you and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
That sounds like me first project, glad I’m not alone. The big thing is it’s easy to feel average (or worse) in this industry. Lots of smart people, but also people who are very good at creating the persona that they’re smarter than you. Recognize your strengths and learn to emphasize those. And where you struggle, look for others that can mentor you and provide advice. Find examples of the flashy stuff and work those in with what you need to deliver. That at least eliminates starting from scratch. And multi tasking is common. Habitually keep a to do list, and work with your managers to prioritize. It will help with feeling overwhelmed and help you tackle each task effectively.
Continuation : It constantly feels like I am trying to put on shoes in a size way bigger than my feet. Expectations are very different and difficult in the sense that in my current role, I am expected to do the following:
1. To figure out what my clients need even if they don’t know it at all, or don’t have the time to sit with me to figure this out. In industry I mostly worked with internal customers who would come with semi to almost fully clear requirements
2. In consulting I am expected not only to manage the clients but also the different project managers to make sure I have enough work at all times , in industry I had one role and fulfilled the requirements of the client. Work was based on your one function and not chasing different people for work to do
3. In consulting ,I am expected to deliver fancy, flashy stuff to impress the client even if the client does not specifically ask for this (at least at my current firm) whereas in industry , meeting the basics of your client request is already a job well done.
I could go on and on but I think u get the drill. Basically I don’t feel I’m in a good place and I constantly feel like a failure,incompetent and exhausted by what is required of me in this role- I am considering quitting and finding something else where the expectations are aligned with what I can actually do -but I’m not sure if that’s a good career move and how this will look to a future potential employer - I feel stuck and my confidence is at the lowest point ever🙁... your thoughts?
Dude, if your idea of doing a good job is “meeting the basics” of a client request, this might not be the best industry for you. Most of the people you work with will be overachievers and this job requires at least some skill in sales (selling yourself and/or selling your work). That said, I’d stick it out for at least a year to see if things improve. You’ll learn a lot from your time here regardless.
Fake it til you make it
Can definitely relate to the frustrations of working in consulting, and do think these types of issues are part of what it's like to be a consultant to some degree. I must have thought about quitting 100 times my first year. However, I will say that 8 years later those skills come so natural to me now I barely have to think about it. Knowing what other people need before they do, getting in touch with my creativity, and developing strong mental agility are skills I'm now really grateful for and they serve me in many other life aspects. I wouldnt have chosen baptism by fire necessarily, as the method to acquire these skills if I'd had a choice, but I have to say looking back I'm not sure they would be nearly as strong if things had been easier for me. Things took time to shift for me, and I think it happened sort of throughout my periods of ambivalence without me even realizing it. The most important thing in all of this is perspective. I have had to make my own definition of success be the strongest one, the fact that I remained open minded to learning new things and being uncomfortable, etc. If success is about me showing up each day open and ready to grow, and giving it everything I can, I have to be good with that. That may not always mean the highest rating or biggest raise, but I have found in consulting it's easy to allow too much of this to become your identity. I want to work hard and be successful, but I can't let any company or job define my ultimate value. Good luck and hope you get clarity!
Do they exceed your capabilities, or are you not willing to fulfill the role?
If you have deep industry knowledge, and it’s just a matter of developing your consulting skills, it’s probably worth it. Work with your coach / mentor to develop a plan that will address your perceived weaknesses. If you think it’s at a point where you won’t succeed in this industry, it may be worth having an exit strategy. I ended up in a group that didn’t align with my previous experience, but I lucked into an engagement that worked to my strengths and was able to make a move that will benefit me in the long run.
Agree with all re “stick it out for a year”. I was a senior leader in corporate and came to consulting. I was shell shocked, not so much as not being able to fulfill the requirements of the job, but not sure I wanted to. What I saw was, “no depth, only flash. Sell, sell sell. Try to extend the work and generate revenue. Great decks are appreciated more than 20 years of experience”. I got used to it and would like to think I’m doing well at it now (partners may have differing opinions 🙃), but it is hard at first. Everyone has different skill sets. Bring your A game, strive to learn and adapt and also share what you know. You were hired for a reason - you have something to offer. May not be exactly what your colleagues have, but then again, they don’t have what you do. All a balance. Good luck!
It helps to have a framework. Start with trying to figure out what is the problem you are trying to solve for. Then try and figure what is the clients vision and what are the obstacles inhibiting the achievement of that .
Most people are better at doing than thinking. It’s the thinking part people need help on.
OP- if it helps, and it may not, all of your points sound completely normal. It’s why we get paid more than industry folks.. sure you’ll gain better knowledge of expectations/prep less when you’re more experienced, but those expectations and client/project team management skills are essential to consulting and will likely never change. They may get easier but never disappear
@sc1 you are never stuck. Life is simply a collection of choices / decision. You can totally walk and be successful with the rest of your life. I spent the last year getting crushed. I was promoted early (probably too early) and poached into a very high performing strategy group. It’s gotten better and I have now adapted. If you feel like it is fucking you up mentally, take a break. I’d say push through the end of the project and then level set. I have all the empathy for you because I’ve been there.
OP if you want a job where every deliverable looks the same and your role and responsibility does not fluctuate, consulting is not for you. Nothing wrong that in the least but our world is full of a different type of person than in industry. Don’t be afraid to jump ship if you feel you are sinking
@sc1 what you are going through is normal and it has a lot to do with the culture of consulting firms. The client is paying a premium for the services you render l. Good enough is a quick way to go out of business in this industry ( unless you do staff aug). I would focus on managing stakeholder expectations, find a mentor and buckle down. High expectations and a challenge is a great way for you to grow professionally. Also be communicative that you have some difficulties but also communicate a plan to address them, gotta show you care about improving and exceeding expectations
Think about ur team? They will need to cocer for you (I doubt a partner would put an extra resource and the rest will suffer) sorry to be as clear, but this is also a team work
Could not have come at a better time to have this thread. I’m absolutely exhausted - feel like I’m not quite working up to standards and a hard time taking the time to dive deep into the work as there are constant deliverables needed - one after another after another. Also the pressure to excel in firm initiatives - easily another job on its own. Feel like I’m doing too much and not an expert on any of it. Stressed all the time — feedback from partners sometimes amazing and sometimes confrontational. I need a break and don’t know if this means I should stick it out or exit. My significant other is losing patience with my stress as well. Just ugh
I did as an experienced hire C and lived to tell the story. I was cross-staffed in an area I had 0 experience, though, so I think expectations were lower than what they led on. Good luck whatever you decide!
That’s me right now. I try to level set with the managers and directors on the project but sometimes the projects are just too demanding. At the end of the day, all you can do is your best. If they fire me, great I don’t have to pay back my signing bonus 🙃
Been there, done that. Best way for me to grow personally
OP email me at fishbowl865@gmail.com.