LES HORAIRES EN FINANCE : TOUT CE QUE VOUS DEVEZ SAVOIR 😱​

Summary

This video compares the work dynamics in M&A (finance d'entreprise) and market finance (finance de marché), focusing on the intensity of work and the hierarchy within each sector. It highlights the longer, more unpredictable hours typical in M&A roles, where interns and juniors often face intense workloads due to high demand. In contrast, market finance requires adaptability based on market hours, with a focus on project-based work and less rigid hierarchies. The discussion emphasizes the importance of gaining responsibility and proving oneself to move up in both fields, all while maintaining rigorous work standards.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Market Finance vs Corporate Finance**: Market finance (finance de marché) focuses on working hours based on market schedules and immediate client needs, whereas corporate finance (finance d'entreprise) revolves around project-driven work with a more hierarchical structure.
• 😀 **Work Hours in Market Finance**: In finance de marché, employees start early (around 7-8 AM) to prepare for market openings, and their workday extends beyond market closure (6 PM), especially when dealing with ongoing projects and booking issues.
• 😀 **Work Hours in Corporate Finance**: Corporate finance often involves long hours, particularly during live deals, with intense periods of work around mergers and acquisitions (M&A). However, there is sometimes more flexibility between intense phases.
• 😀 **Less Rigid Hierarchy in Market Finance**: In market finance, the hierarchical structure is less pronounced. Juniors work closely with senior staff, and there’s a stronger focus on immediate responsibility and client interaction.
• 😀 **Clear Hierarchy in Corporate Finance**: In corporate finance, there’s a clear reporting structure. Junior staff report to senior analysts or managing directors, and responsibilities are more distributed across the team during different stages of a project.
• 😀 **Work Intensity in Market Finance**: The intensity in market finance is high throughout the day due to the real-time nature of market movements, with juniors expected to handle critical tasks like booking and supporting senior team members.
• 😀 **Work Intensity in Corporate Finance**: Corporate finance also demands high intensity during critical deal phases but tends to have more predictable patterns. Juniors experience quieter periods between intense bursts of work.
• 😀 **Flexibility in Remote Work**: Market finance generally offers less flexibility for remote work due to the need to be physically present for market updates and transactions, while corporate finance tends to have more room for flexible work arrangements.
• 😀 **Impact of Seniority on Hours**: While work hours are long in both fields, juniors in finance de marché tend to have similar hours to seniors due to the fast-paced nature of the market. In corporate finance, juniors typically work longer hours compared to seniors during live deals.
• 😀 **Growth and Responsibility**: In both fields, demonstrating competence and reliability can lead to greater responsibility and direct interaction with senior staff. Junior employees in market finance, for example, may work directly with clients once they've proven their abilities.

Q & A

What are the main differences in work culture between finance markets and corporate finance?

In finance markets, the work culture is less hierarchical, with juniors often taking on significant responsibilities early on once they prove their abilities. On the other hand, corporate finance has a more structured hierarchy, where juniors follow a clear chain of command, and tasks are delegated by senior staff, especially in large organizations.

How do work hours in finance markets differ from those in corporate finance?

In finance markets, work hours are highly intense and are driven by market hours. Employees start early, often before market opening, and stay late to deal with post-market tasks. In corporate finance, the hours can be equally long but are more structured around deal deadlines, with an emphasis on high-volume work rather than market-driven intensity.

Why are work hours in finance markets often longer and more unpredictable?

Work hours in finance markets are longer and unpredictable because the job is directly tied to market opening and closing times. Additionally, there are often post-market tasks, client meetings, and project updates that require flexibility and can lead to extended workdays.

What are the differences in responsibility levels for juniors in finance markets and corporate finance?

In finance markets, juniors can take on significant responsibilities quickly, sometimes working directly with clients or senior management once they've proven themselves. In corporate finance, junior employees typically have less autonomy and must follow the directions of senior staff, particularly in large firms where the workload is more segmented.

How does the volume of work differ between corporate finance and finance markets?

Corporate finance often involves a higher volume of work, especially during live deals, requiring juniors to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and often work long hours across the week. In finance markets, the work is less about volume and more about intense bursts of activity driven by market events or client demands.

Is there a significant difference in the hierarchy between finance markets and corporate finance?

Yes, finance markets tend to have a flatter hierarchy, where juniors may interact directly with senior staff and take on more responsibility earlier. Corporate finance, however, maintains a more traditional hierarchical structure, where juniors typically report to several layers of management before reaching senior staff.

What role does proving oneself play in advancing in finance markets and corporate finance?

Proving oneself is essential in both fields. In finance markets, once juniors demonstrate competence, they can take on more responsibility and gain autonomy quickly. In corporate finance, it is similarly important, but advancement tends to be more structured, and juniors may need to wait for promotions or task delegation based on seniority.

How does work-life balance compare between finance markets and corporate finance?

In both fields, work-life balance is difficult to maintain due to the demanding nature of the work. However, finance markets may offer more flexibility, particularly after market hours. Corporate finance roles often require long hours with a strong emphasis on team collaboration, leaving little room for personal time, especially during peak periods like live deals.

What are the key factors that drive the differences in work dynamics between finance markets and corporate finance?

The primary factors driving the differences are the nature of the work itself (market-driven versus deal-driven) and the organizational structure. Finance markets require quick decision-making and fast-paced environments, while corporate finance focuses on long-term projects with high volumes of work and a more defined hierarchy.

How does the working environment in finance markets foster a more collaborative atmosphere compared to corporate finance?

In finance markets, the nature of the work, such as trading, requires close collaboration among team members, as decisions are often made rapidly and collectively. In contrast, corporate finance, particularly in M&A, may involve more isolated work tasks and a formal structure that limits collaboration, especially for juniors who are often focused on specific, delegated tasks.