I’m 42 years old, based in the UK, and I’ve spent about two decades working in financial services. My background includes buyside work as an equity research analyst and leading investment teams at a couple of ESG startups. I also did sellside equity sales at a major investment bank for about 4.5 years.
Right now I’m working on a temporary contract at an asset management firm owned by an insurance company. I focus on responsible investing, particularly corporate governance and executive compensation issues. The work itself is interesting, but the money is terrible (around 45% of what I made at the investment bank) and my contract runs out this summer.
I’ve been trying to get back into proper investment roles for years now, but keep hitting walls. I make it to final interview rounds but then mess up somehow, usually when they ask those really tough open-ended questions under pressure. People always say good things about how hard I work and that I’m smart, but I just can’t seem to nail those high-stress interviews.
I recently burned myself out going for an internal investment position that I thought I had a good shot at, but they gave it to someone else anyway. Now I’m starting to question everything. I have two kids, my marriage isn’t doing great, and I’m just mentally exhausted from this constant cycle of getting my hopes up and then getting rejected.
I’m thinking about maybe doing something completely different. Perhaps I could start consulting on governance and compensation topics since that’s what I’m doing now. Or maybe look into private equity secondaries where I could use my analytical skills and deal experience. I’ve also been teaching myself Python programming, which I really enjoy, but I’m not sure where that could realistically take me since I’m not a quant person.
Has anyone here successfully changed direction in their finance career, especially later in life? I’m wondering if 42 is too old to make a major career shift, or if there are people who have actually pulled it off. I could really use some advice or just hearing from others who have been in similar situations.
I’m tired of just trying to survive and want to actually move forward with my career and life.
Honestly mate, those interview struggles sound brutal but they’re pretty common at our level. I was 44 when I finally left traditional banking for something that didn’t make me want to chuck my laptop out the window every morning. What really helped was stopping trying to squeeze into roles that felt completely wrong. Your governance expertise is valuable - I know a guy who went independent doing that exact consulting work and never looked back. Less stress fixed his marriage too, which might hit close to home for you. We get so hung up on getting back to where we were that we miss chances to go somewhere way better.
Career pivots after 40 work better than most people think - studies show 70% success rates for professionals with 15+ years of experience staying within their expertise. Your governance background is actually valuable right now. Financial services bumped up regulatory compliance spending by 40% in 2023. Instead of grinding through traditional investment roles, lean into your ESG specialization. There’s a real market gap there. Those Python skills aren’t just a bonus anymore - regulatory reporting automation is becoming essential. Governance pros who can handle both the technical and strategic sides get paid premium rates. Your interview struggles probably mean you’re targeting the wrong roles, not that you lack skills. Why not try independent governance consulting? You’ve got twenty years of credibility - use it without dealing with corporate BS.
Look, those interview failures are telling you something - there’s a mismatch between what you’re chasing and where you actually shine. You’ve got 20 years in financial services and specialized governance/ESG knowledge that’s hot right now. Stop banging your head against doors that keep closing. Your current role might pay less, but it’s set you up perfectly for a pivot. Buyside analysis plus governance expertise? That’s gold for consulting. Corporate boards and institutional investors are scrambling for advisors who get both the technical stuff and how things actually work in practice. The Python thing you’re doing is smart - it sets you apart from the typical governance crowd. Here’s what most people our age miss: success comes from using what you’ve already built, not climbing the same wobbly ladder everyone else is on. Build a consulting practice around your governance specialty while demand is still strong. The market’s there - use it.
I made a similar jump at 45 - went from traditional asset management to fintech consulting. Age matters way less when you’ve got deep expertise in your domain. Your governance and comp background is actually gold right now. Tons of firms are scrambling with ESG compliance and desperately need people who get both the regulatory side and how to actually make it work. The Python you’re picking up could be huge here - governance reporting is getting way more data-heavy. Don’t think of that lower-paid role as going backwards. You’re building street cred in a niche that pays well. Consulting makes total sense for you. Governance advisory work values experience over being young, and institutional clients will love that you’ve been on the buyside.
Been there with the burnout - it’s soul crushing. But your governance niche is perfect timing. Companies are throwing money at ESG compliance right now. Stop trying to impress investment teams that don’t get your value. At 42, you’ve got the credibility to go solo. Governance consulting means you set the terms instead of begging for interviews that go nowhere.
Twenty years of experience? That’s gold. Yeah, starting over at 42 feels terrifying, but you’ve got the expertise to open doors. Chase what excites you now, not old dreams.
42 isn’t ancient, dude. You’re stuck applying for the same roles that keep rejecting you - that’s literally insanity. Those “tough open-ended questions” are just corporate filtering BS anyway. Your current job actually sets you up perfectly for consulting, even if the pay’s garbage right now. Governance work is mind-numbing but companies are dumping cash into it because of ESG requirements. Quit trying to win over people who don’t want you and build your own thing.