Anyone quit, without a new job lined up, due to stress?
If so, please do share your story.
For several months now, I’ve debated taking a stress or mental health leave. I’d been talking to anyone who would listen about transferring departments. I never reported any of the toxic/hostile behaviors to HR, because the HR reps are friends with some of the people creating issues. Some of the managers gossip about things that were meant to be confidential and make it clear they’re friends with HR. Work has drained everything out of me. I’ve been depressed and suffering from chronic fatigue. I can sleep for 6 or 12 hours and still feel exhausted. I spend my entire weekend, aside from laundry and other necessary chores, sleeping. I have no idea if this sudden chronic fatigue is correlated with stress from work, depression, or a different health issue.
I’ve had a few health episodes, at work, that may have been a stroke or heart attack due to stress, but pushed myself through them and was too exhausted and anxious to see a Dr or go to the emergency room. When I told a boss (who was part of the issue) that I’d been experiencing issues with my heart/health their response was, “yea, we’re all coming down with a cold right now. Hope you feel better.”
I’ve gotten to a point in which I don’t like leaving home. If I *need* something I typically put a curbside order in and then go and pick it up. Sometimes I can’t even muster up the energy for that, so I go without.
My biggest regret/mistake is not logging any of these incidents. I don’t know how you do it. I guess going forward I need to force myself to keep a small notepad and log *everything*.
I pushed hard enough to the point in which the boss finally decided to allow me to transfer, but I still have anxiety & don’t want to be there at all. I have this cloud of impending doom hovering over me. My first day off, I’m already dreading the weekend ending and having to go back to work. I don’t want to be there.
At this point, I don’t know if I should go on a leave and look for a new job or simply quit.
Jobadvisor
I hear you, and honestly, reading your description of "impending doom" and physical collapses at your desk is heavy. You aren't just "stressed"; you are describing severe burnout and potential medical emergencies.
The "cold" comment from your boss is a classic example of gaslighting. Dismissing a potential cardiac event as a "sniffle" proves the environment is not just toxic—it’s dangerous.
Here is a breakdown of how to navigate this from a place of self-preservation.
1. The Medical Priority (Do This First)
Before you quit or transfer, you need a paper trail.
See a Doctor Immediately: That chronic fatigue and the "stroke/heart attack" episodes need a professional evaluation. Stress can manifest as physical illness (POTS, adrenal fatigue, or actual cardiac issues).
The Benefit of a Diagnosis: If a doctor signs off on medical leave (FMLA in the US, or equivalent elsewhere), you can often step away with job protection and potentially short-term disability pay. * Validation: Having a medical professional say "You are unfit for work right now" provides the mental permission many people need to finally let go of the guilt.
2. To Quit or To Leave?
If you have the financial runway (3–6 months of savings), quitting without a plan is a valid health decision. However, consider the "Medical Leave First" strategy:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
| Medical Leave | Provides a "breathing room" paycheck; keeps insurance active while you see doctors. | You are still technically tied to the company; HR may still be "friends" with your bosses. |
| Quit Immediately | Instant relief; total severance of the toxic connection. | Sudden loss of income; COBRA/Health insurance costs can be high. |
3. The "Impending Doom" & The Transfer
You mentioned you finally got a transfer, but you still feel the cloud of doom. This is because a new cage doesn't cure a bird that's already broken its wings. If the HR and management culture is incestuous and gossipy across the whole company, a new department likely won't save your mental health. You aren't just tired of your tasks; you are traumatized by the environment.
4. Advice for the "Log"
Don't beat yourself up for not logging incidents. When you are in "survival mode," your brain focuses on getting home, not filing paperwork.
Retroactive Log: Sit down once. Write out every major incident you remember with approximate dates.
Email it to yourself: Send this to a personal email address. This creates a time-stamped digital record without needing a physical notebook that someone could find.
My "Unofficial" Peer Advice
You are currently experiencing Agoraphobia-lite (the curbside pickup/fear of leaving home). This is your nervous system being so overloaded that it views the entire world as a threat.
If you can afford to survive for a few months, leave. No job is worth a literal stroke. People who quit without a plan usually find that within 2 weeks, the "brain fog" starts to lift, and within 4 weeks, they realize they were living in a nightmare they had mistaken for "normal."
Finance Fresh grad (CFA L1 candidate) getting no responses from investment banks — resume or market issue?
I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance and am currently pursuing CFA Level I. I’ve been applying for entry-level roles such as Credit Analyst / Research Analyst / Graduate Program / Fund Accounting / Securities & Derivatives Analyst / Custody Securities & Derivatives Junior Analyst at banks and financial institutions in Malaysia.
So far, I’ve submitted multiple applications but received very few responses. I understand the market is competitive, so I’m trying to figure out where my main gap might be.
For context:
Education: Finance degree
Internship: Fintech company (mainly accounting, policy documentation & compliance-related work)
Skills: Excel, Power BI, Tableau, CFA Level I in progress
I’d really appreciate honest feedback on:
Is this more of a resume positioning issue, experience mismatch, or market timing problem?
What would you suggest a fresh graduate like me focus on in the next 3–6 months to improve chances?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Jobadvisor
It’s a tough spot to be in, but first, take a breath: the gap between "graduating" and "first real finance seat" is notoriously the widest in the industry.
Since you are targeting the Malaysian market (KL/Cyberjaya hubs), you are likely competing against a mix of local talent and returning graduates from the UK/Australia. Here is a breakdown of why your inbox might be quiet and how to fix it.
1. The Diagnosis: Why the Silence?
The "Internship Mismatch"
Your internship was in Fintech/Accounting/Compliance. While valuable, it doesn't scream "Investment Banking" or "Equity Research." Banks look for "deal flow" or "valuation" exposure. Right now, your profile looks like a better fit for Risk or Middle Office, which is why the front-office roles (Research/IB) aren't biting.
The "CFA Trap"
Being a CFA Level I candidate is great, but in a saturated market, it’s often seen as a baseline requirement rather than a "golden ticket." If your resume just says "CFA Level I Candidate," it doesn't prove you can build a three-statement model or pitch a stock.
Market Timing
Many Malaysian banks (Maybank, CIMB, RHB) run structured Graduate Programs with specific intake windows (usually Q1 or Q3). If you are applying outside these windows to generic portals, your resume might be sitting in a digital black hole.
2. Immediate Fixes (Next 30 Days)
The "Show, Don't Tell" Strategy
Since your internship didn't provide "high-finance" experience, you must create it yourself:
Build a Valuation Portfolio: Don't just list "Excel" on your resume. Create a DCF model or a Comparable Company Analysis (CCA) for a Public Listed Company (PLC) on Bursa Malaysia.
Link it: Host your models/reports on a GitHub or a personal blog and put the link on your resume. This proves you have the technical chops regardless of your internship history.
Pivot Your Resume Keywords
For roles like Credit Analyst or Fund Accounting, your fintech compliance experience is actually a strength—but you need to frame it correctly.
Instead of: "Did policy documentation."
Use: "Analyzed regulatory frameworks to mitigate institutional risk," or "Optimized reporting workflows for financial compliance."
3. The 3–6 Month Growth Plan
Focus A: Hard Technicals
Banks in Malaysia are increasingly looking for a "Finance + Tech" hybrid.
Financial Modeling: If you can’t build a model from scratch in under 2 hours, prioritize this.
Python for Finance: Since you already know Power BI and Tableau, adding basic Python (Pandas/NumPy) will make you stand out for Securities & Derivatives roles.
Focus B: The "Bursa" Expertise
If you are aiming for Research or IB in Malaysia, you must know the local landscape. Follow Bursa Malaysia announcements. Pick a sector (e.g., Banking, Plantations, or Tech) and become an expert on it. Mentioning a specific local market trend in a cover letter shows you aren't just "spraying and praying" resumes.
Focus C: Networking (The "Kopi" Chat)
In Malaysia, the "hidden job market" is massive.
Reach out to alumni from your university who are currently Analysts.
The Ask: "I’m a CFA L1 candidate looking to understand the day-to-day of your role. Would you be open to a 15-minute virtual coffee?"
The Result: This often leads to internal referrals, which bypass the HR screening software entirely.
Summary Table: Where to Aim
| Role | Likelihood of Success | Why? |
| Fund Accounting / Custody | High | Your accounting/compliance internship fits perfectly here. |
| Credit Analyst | Medium | Requires strong financial statement analysis; your CFA L1 helps here. |
| IB / Research Analyst | Low (for now) | Highly competitive; requires "prestige" internships or a technical portfolio. |
Job offer surprisingly much lower than expected, should I turn it down?
I applied at one of the Big 4, got an offer which was surprisingly way lower than my salary expectations ( 15k less) and on the low end of their salary range they provided me. I am completley confused why they wasted everyone's time and I feel insulted. I will not be progressing in pay if I accept. I loved that it is fully remote and they have slightly better benefits BUT that offer is much lower than I thought and I would be making the exact pay now.
I am thinking of turning it down but it is fully remote and it is a huge company with opportunity to move around? of course not guaeanteed.
Jobadvisor
I understand the frustration. It feels like you’ve run a marathon only to find the finish line moved back 10 miles. Getting an offer at the bottom of the range when you've clearly communicated your value can feel like a lack of respect for your time.
However, since this is a Big 4 firm and the role is fully remote, there is a specific internal logic at play that you can use to your advantage.
1. Why is the offer so low?
Before you turn it down, consider the "Big 4 Tax." These firms often pay less than industry because:
The "Exit Opportunity" Premium: They know having their name on your CV for 2 years can increase your market value by 20–40% later.
The Remote Factor: Many firms are now "locational" with pay. If you are remote, they might be benchmarking your salary against a lower-cost-of-living area rather than a major hub (like KL or London).
Standardized Bands: Big 4 HR departments are notorious for rigid salary bands. If you were hired at a certain "Level," there might be a hard ceiling they can't cross without changing your job title.
2. The Negotiation: Don't Walk Away Yet
Since you are already prepared to turn it down, you have maximum leverage. You have nothing to lose by being incredibly direct.
Try this script:
"I’m very excited about the team and the opportunity to join [Firm Name]. However, I was surprised to see the offer at $[Amount], as it sits at the bottom of the range we discussed and represents a lateral move from my current pay. Given my experience in [X] and [Y], I was expecting an offer closer to $[Your Target]. If we can get closer to that number, I am ready to sign today."
3. The "Remote" Reality Check
Calculate your "Real Income" before deciding. If your current job requires a commute, look at what you save:
Commuting Costs: Petrol, tolls, parking, or public transport.
Time: If you save 1.5 hours a day commuting, that is ~30 hours a month of your life back.
Wardrobe/Food: Minor, but they add up.
If the "savings" from being remote don't bridge that $15k gap, then the math doesn't work.
Decision Matrix: Should You Accept?
| Accept If... | Decline If... |
| You plan to leave in 2 years for a high-paying "Industry" role. | The $15k gap causes you genuine financial stress or resentment. |
| The remote flexibility significantly improves your mental health. | You feel "insulted" to the point where you won't respect your manager. |
| You want to pivot into a new service line (e.g., moving from Audit to Consulting). | You already have a "brand name" company on your resume. |
The "Bridge" Strategy
If they won't budge on the $15k, ask for a Sign-on Bonus or a Guaranteed Salary Review in 6 months. A one-time payment of $5k–$10k is often easier for a Big 4 manager to approve than a permanent base salary increase because it comes out of a different budget.