There are very few advancement opportunities, especially in regional offices. Management claims to be a meritocracy, but only favors the brown nosers. The hard working employees go unnoticed if they don't kiss management and advisors' butts. The review process is a joke. Management is always "too busy" and behind closed doors to discuss advancement opportunities. There is also a lot of turnover (not just due to downturn in market). If someone doesn't like you, there's a good chance they will find a reason to get rid of you. There is also zero work/life balance. I was actually told by my MD, "working 7-7 doesn't make you a hard worker because that's what's expected." The people who are exhaulted are the ones who dislike being with their families the most. You are only acknowledged as someone who extends themself beyond their job function if they fired your whole team and you have to do the work of 3 people. There is no clear guidance from management on what it takes to get promoted to the next level. One manager told me that the people who get promoted aren't just good at their jobs and work hard but are the ones who think of creative things to send clients. If you are looking to take a big step and advance yourself professionally (i.e. get a certification or attend grad school), get prepared to be shunned even more. Instead of promoting professional growth and wanting employees to expand their knowledge, they immediately push you to the side and assume you will leave soon instead of encouraging you to move up within the company. I honestly would not recommend this job to anyone.
