Career Renewal: Embrace Change, Monetize Your Skills, and Join Innovative Startups

1. BOARD DECK: 3.18.19 BOARD OF CAREER DIRECTORS

2. “Time (read patience) and a willingness to start fresh. Some of your greatest learning moments will be times like this. What is most important to you in a career? Run a top down approach.” • “I went through this personally in financial services IT. The problem is once you start not loving it, it starts to go downhill in ways you may not notice at first. Those career surveys usually ask you to pay up and sometimes are rigged towards underserved industries. The best thing to do is when you reach the point of no return, start updating the fuck out of your resume. Even get a resume pro if you want (they can help big time). Think about what you liked that first lit the flame in that industry. Even broad concepts. Explore the fuck out of every idea along those lines and see if anything sounds intriguing. That's what I did/ But as it turns out, it was my company and role that was on planet bullshit in the galaxy of this sucks camel dicks. A refreshing new team and opportunity renewed the passion. That could be your ticket. Don't be afraid of change. Be afraid of not changing.” • “Went on a bender with friends in different lines of work. You can tell who drinks to forget their job and who drinks to genuinely just have fun with the boys. From this, networking is easier and you may be able to find that what you like doing is similar to friends with common ground.” • “Take your best skill set and spread it, like Amazon in a location bid. There’s likely something you’re really good at, that’s leading you to “killing it.” Whether it’s the sales ability, financial know how or your BDE. Use what you’ve got to get what you want. Think outside of the box while allowing your best ability drive your success.” • “It has a lot to do with your gut feeling. If gun to your head you have to answer the question “what’s your outstanding ability”...what would that be? Can you monetize it? The answer to that question is essentially what you consider is your niche, which will yield better returns and happiness more likely than focusing in using other skills to make a living. You are killing it, you are clever, just listen to your gut and execute accordingly. Boom!” Broad, but: let’s say you fell into a role (financial services, in my case) and you’re (somehow) killing it but not loving it. How did you discover what you really wanted to do professionally? What steps did you take and what advice would you pass on?

3. “Your senior level experience isn't a road block unless you make it one. Solid start ups recognize they need senior level talent and typically pursue people with your background. But be prepared to take a dramatic cut in pay and benefits (offset by equity in the company). If your desire to go startup is strong enough to look past the change in lifestyle, then there's your pitch. Hungry, committed, experienced and passionate people are who start ups look for in their talent. And you offering to make that sacrifice to join the team is compelling (but will also be expected). Good luck.” • “I would use your experience as a plus. Pitch yourself as someone who knows what a well-run organization looks like from the top, and show that you have operational know-how that a young company will value. Startups should recognize that your operational experience is very valuable.” • “Work as a consultant.” • “If they're nervous about your title, they probably received participation ribbons as a child. The amount of expertise and experience you can bring them could bring the startup to new levels. Perhaps you can mention it as a way of how you want to enrich the organization without "taking over" everything (which is probably their fear). Plus you have seen what it takes to make a successful organization. That could be the difference between success there or being another internally imploding startup.” • “Thinking of it as a roadblock is the roadblock. As director you have leadership and organization experience that's unmatched which most startups lack. Stop underselling yourself.” • “Delete the first 9 pages of your resume and focus on the present. Also, it’s 2019, leverage your connections to market your entrepreneurial spirit. Someone you know, knows someone you want to know. Orrrrr, maybe dial down your title on your resume and be bold (pun intended) with what you’ve done.” • “Today’s 50s are the new 35s, today’s 30s are the new 20s. You can read the game better than a 30 yo that’s for sure and if you are humble and a normal guy you’ll get the job. Look at Tom Brady, he’s getting better and better every year.” I’ve formerly held a Director level position in several organizations. Looking for my next opportunity. I’d like to move to a scrappy innovative startup but my senior level is a roadblock. What’s my pitch to get past that?

4. Big 4 accountant trying to switch to IB. I just started at my current company and I was wondering if it's okay to jump ship before finishing my CPA? • “You're better off finishing your CPA and then making the jump. You will avoid burning bridges and build your résumé and network.” • “If you're almost done, might as well finish what you originally started. Plus a CPA is useful in several ways. If you just started, look at your options.” • “I would do it as soon as possible. Right after your bonus of course :)”

5. “Don't do a mother fucking thing. This could very easily be one of those mutually awkward situations that both parties agree to silently sweep under the rug. Wait and see if he brings it up, and if/when he does, DON'T LIE (you have no idea what his daughter may have told him). Apologize sincerely, explain that you had no idea she was his daughter, and leave it at that. It's one thing to have accidentally dipped your pen in the family ink - anyone can make that mistake (and in some ways, it's amusing). It becomes something else entirely if you lie about it (get caught in that lie and you'll look like the ultimate douche).” • “Tough walk of shame story. Probably should tell him it was you like a man and hope he respects you. If he throws you out on your ass, this answer didn't come from me.” • “Bold move cotton. Make sure that résumé is updated.” • “The Shaggy Defense might work if he doesn't know what you look like when you're running out a door. If he doesn't ask, don't throw gas on it. If he does, say you didn't know it was his daughter. But avoid the Shaggy Defense if you want to have any kind of relationship with him.” • “Don't say anything unless he asks. If he asks, tell him "she calls me daddy now.” • “Own that shit! If he asks you about it, just lay it out there. Jobs are a dime a dozen. If you get fired for banging you MD’s daughter, you'll be a legend at your next job. You could put it on your resume as a certified deal closer.” • “If he saw you, he knows it was you. He has already asked his daughter about you. She said, “he’s nice.” Now she’s floozy in her Dad’s eyes and you have one up on the MD. Win/Win.” • "How do you sleep with a girl, but not on purpose? She lives with her dad and you ACCIDENTALLY did this at his home? While he was there? Don't even acknowledge the situation. Why bring it up? Is there any father out there that you know who readily wants to have a discussion with or engage with the dude his daughter was fucking? Probably not a conversation he wants to have, ever. Know that if he suspects it's you, he probably won't ever bring it up either, but will harbour some disdain for you whether he acknowledges it or not. Given enough time and avoidance, this potentially goes away. Keep your mouth shut about it to anyone else at the office though. I'd be interested in finding out just how ""chill"" this MD is if any whispers get back to him.“ • “There’s no need to discuss that, we are all big boys here (and he probably did the same with the daughter of his MD back in the days). If he asks you answer, if he does not then you do not. Never talk about sex with your boss unless he / she asks.” Slept with the MD's daughter (not on purpose) and he saw me run out the door. We have had a good relationship, like we talk about sports but not about sex or anything like that, and he is a pretty chill. What do I do? I am thinking of saying it wasn't me.

6. “Nobody fucking cares. They don't even ask you about college on your resume. It's all about your work experience and what you have applied from it. The only time it matters is if your interviewer/decision maker is an alum. And even then that doesn't mean shit a lot of the time.” • “Get. That. Paper (i.e. diploma). There’s more kids going to college, there’s even more kids getting their MBA’s and a boatload of poor souls sticking it out for a PHD. You’re competition is when you enter the workforce and can build some legit experience, not whether your alma mater hat is made of plastic or cloth.” • "One consideration to keep in mind is location. If you're looking into jobs in the Bay Area attending Haas--over, say, a higher-ranked Sloan or Kellogg--will come with significant networking benefits. More tech companies and VC firms will be recruiting locally, more alumni will be working in the area, and you are just a short drive away from in-person networking. More broadly, it significantly depends on your career aspirations coming out of business school. You will have a much easier time placing from HBS, Wharton, or Stanford over a 10-20 ranked school, especially in banking, consulting, asset management, etc. If you're more interested in moving up in your current company or industry, simply getting a top-20 MBA will put you in a great spot. Where you'll see large discrepancies between Harvard and UT-Austin (both top-20) will be in the in alumni network and global brand recognition. Both will provide you with a great education in the classroom and excellent recruiting opportunities, but HBS's alumni network is truly world-class.“ • “Only in terms of choice of employer, initial pay, networking / alumni opportunities and career earnings.” • “I’d say your attitude matters more.” Does B-School ranking really matter between top 7 and 8-20?

7. “Diversify your career options.” • “Always stay up to date with everything and don't blow all your money on cocaine and hookers because you might need them more in 2020.” • “Don't follow the crowd. Finance ain't what it used to be. My suggestion - go down the untrodden path. Go work at a fund or bank in an emerging or frontier market (think Mexico/Vietnam etc.) More opportunities to cash in than just your bonus check. Sure you might not have the optionality of going to the hip clubs or brunches, but believe me, if you play it right, you might come back in 5 years time with millions more in the bank than your peers.” • “These days anyone who loses their job is told, "Learn to code". You're no different from a coal miner in Minnesota, learn to code.” • “Financial crises and recessions are difficult to predict so do not waste your time and energy thinking about them. Stay in the present and enjoy this very special chapter in your life. Think more about developing yourself both intellectually and personally. Study hard and demand excellent academic performance but build meaningful relationships with the individuals that come into your life along the way. This will build a foundation of self confidence that will always be attractive to a prospective.” • "If you apply at a bulge bracket bank, big four accounting firm, or top three consulting firm (MBB), macro conditions won't be as big of a concern. Smaller shops or specific teams may have a lot of staff cut. I know from personal experience some of the largest consulting firms don't mess with first year (out of undergrad and MBA) hiring at all to avoid screwing up the leadership pipeline five years down the road. It is also worth noting that first year analysts are MUCH cheaper to pay vs. a Director making 10x your salary. Additionally, I know multiple individuals working in asset management out of undergrad who decided to apply to business school in '09. This Poets and Quants article below shows the spike in HBS applicants from 6.6k in '05 to 9.5k in '10, and there has been a consistent uptick in applicants since '12. Going to b-school during a financial crisis is a great move, as you exit a more valuable applicant (hopefully) as things start to recover. Link: https://poetsandquants.com/2017/08/09/applying-to-hbs-this-chart-will-make-you-wish-it-was-2005/" • “Do not be that negative. You can find space if you look for it. Salaries are not that big anymore, the industry has lost some sex appeal but it’s still fun as f*ck.” What advice do you have for kids graduating in 2020, with the prospect of a financial crisis/recession, looking to go into finance?

8. “Can you approach his manager and provide this feedback? It's possible he lacks the training, though it sounds like laziness. Reach out to his manager and state what needs to change in a clear and concise manner. Hell, give him an outline or a sample report. If he fails to make changes then its time to look at replacing him.” • “If sarcastic jabs are above his processing level, then that could help you feel better. If you have a good boss, you could keep evidence of his incompetence and use it against him, except with proof. If your boss is spineless or a douchebag, your routes will be limited since that fucker might even be in the spot just because he's your boss's friend. Usually exposed incompetence leads to some type of exit in time, but there's a lot of variables. In the meantime, use big words he won't understand to insult him without him realizing you're insulting him. Or use HR if yours exists and is competent. Always CYA.” • “If they really are such a fucking ponce, then perhaps (if they have any incentive at all) - motive them somehow through your own example. About how diligent work, effort pays off (nice cars, apartments, holidays, girls etc.) SHOW THEM that not being a fucking numb-nut can pay off. Nothing incentivizes people more than money or a good life to aspire to.” • “Tell them outright, "I need better quality deliverables from you not for just my sake, but for yours. Shitty work will result in a short career, it's not a threat by any means it's the truth.” • “Show (key word) said asshat exactly how you want it delivered. When said asshat does it, rejoice. Should spoken of asshat still fail, express the impact and let them know, you must discuss with your manager because it’s impacting you. Asshat will recognize his incompetence and either straighten up or find a way out.” • “If the person is as you say either you fire him or you fire him. If however there’s some silver-lining, just be honest and explain what you want. For me it has been very useful in those situations to sit down with the guy producing the numbers, open his report and ask him “hey I need to analyze the MoM variation...how would you do it using your file?” Then he can see that is very complicated. Make sure you have an example of what’s the outcome you expect.” What’s the best way to work with someone who is just plainly incompetent? You rely on this person for some sales reports you need and when you get the messy AF reports, you want to request him to clean them up and you demand better quality work but you know just by engaging with him, you’ll set yourself up for dumber responses and eventually get nowhere.