How long would it take for me to work my way up the ladder at a company like PIMCO?
I'm trying to create a career plan and want to know roughly how long it would take me to go from my first job at a company like PIMCO to a more senior level management role? #finance #financial-services #investment-management #investing
3 answers
Christopher ’s Answer
There is no set career path and it can vary greatly. It all depends on how well you perform in your role and the larger opportunities that are available at the company. Expect to be in it for the long haul if you want to reach senior management. Top financial firms all contain a lot of smart, ambitious people so the key is to be excellent at your current role, be a team player, and have some patience. You will not be a senior manager after a year. It takes a lot of experience. I find a mistake many people make is they focus too much on the job they want down the road and not enough on the job they currently have. Doing well in the current job is what will get you promoted. Obviously have a career plan you want to follow, but I think it is important to remember you will never get promoted to Job C without having Jobs A and B first.
Steve Lewis
Steve’s Answer
There are many factors that govern how you can get promoted. The best thing you can do is to first get your foot in the door. Then, start to take advantage of any internal mentoring or mobility program the company may have. Having a mentor that is already at the level you seek can help to point you in the right direction.
Chuck Jones
Chuck’s Answer
In sell-side research it may take fewer steps but probably means you have to change firms multiple times.
For buy-side research you may be able to move up far at the same firm.
It also depends on how large the firm. A small firm may get you there faster but not as senior as at other firms.
Also you may need to go back to school, typically business school, if you want to be senior at a large firm.
Or have experience in another industry like I had in tech.