Do you really need to burn the midnight oil?

11 August 2009

1 minute read

Do you really need to burn the midnight oil?

Popular perception suggests that in order to get ahead in financial services, you need to work like a dog. 15-hour days are the norm, and you should think nothing of sacrificing your evenings and weekends for the benefit of your career. But, is it really necessary?

Such toil may be expected of rank and file staff, but those further up the ladder have the luxury of being the masters of their own time. John Duffield, city veteran and founder of New Star Asset Management for example, is well known for working a four day week and not starting until 11am.

Meanwhile Andrew Hall - he of the $100m bonus - apparently maintains an eccentric lifestyle, which involves regular early exits to row "or to practice calisthenics with a ballet teacher".

So, is the slog really necessary? Do you covet the badge of honour that is turning the office lights off? Or can you make the big time and still maintain some semblance of a life? Your thoughts please...

AUTHOReFinancialCareers UK

Insider Comment

WD
WDawg
22 August 2009
Now is NOT the time to be putting in 15 hr days. Volume is down and it is just a waste of time. I agree with emilio13. Do what you have to in order to survive, but better to invest your time getting ready for the nxt upturn in H210 or H111 by picking up new skills. Do the CFA, FRM or learn Islamic Finance ... anything to have an edge when it REALLY matters.
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sl
slate
18 August 2009
learning to be a bum licker would be a good skill to learn right now. I notice that an awful lot of useless people have been kept on due to their keen ability to smell an opportunity to utilise this skill.
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Go
GordonG
13 August 2009
Allow me to put it bluntly; if you're doing 15 hrs p/day when work flow is minimal, you are a complete mug. You will be judged on what you can do, regardless of how many hours you are in the office. I worked with some very hard working, loyal and dedicated folk who were thrown out when the crunch came along...it matters little the hours you do, rather the output. It is all about results and getting it done. How you do it and how long you spend getting it done is up to you, but people will notice you putting in looooooong hours and may think...is he / she slow or maybe thick?
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Mi
Midnight Oil
13 August 2009
Why do we dance when our beds are burning?
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ba
balaji_an
12 August 2009
It is the performance that matters.
Working long hours means that the person suffers from inferiority complex / inefficient.
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