hey guys,
I don't know if you had any experience in my situation but here it is.
I started work last year working for a large investment management company. I don't know if it is normal in this industry but my final position was 80% different from what was described in the interview (also salary but that's another thing). Basically, I was promised the world but naught came.
Later on, there was a lot more restructuring happening which resulted in most of the investment decision related jobs out of my reach; which were what were promised back in the beginning.
I admit I hadn't had lots of experience in job hunting etc., but for all the other jobs I held (not in funds management but merchant banking) I feel that the top senior management would not usually risk being so blatantly dishonest.
Currently I am stuck in strategy/ fund admin/ risk management - sort of middle office of the middle office - and risk being stuck here for a while.

I dislike my job intensely (many reasons here) but don't really want to leave cos 1) it's a big firm and there's always opportunities (but need to wait); 2)it's hard to find a job these days and I am not confident of finding a new one readily.
There's a whole host of other personal reasons why I don't like this firm but as you can see, emotion has clouded my judgement and I don't really trust myself to make a truly objective analysis.

Any comments would be welcome. even a hello.
Thanks in advance.

Tough situation - but one comment I'd make is that it's a tough job market these days. You might want to stick it out for six months or so before making a move. You've got a big advantange over other job hunters in that you already have a job and can afford to wait for the good opportunities.

Maybe also send your resume out to some headhunters and wait and see if anything falls into your lap. You never know.

tpolio1,
If I were you, I will stick with my current job.
Looking at other people sleeping on the streets, you are more lucky than others. Dont you think so ?
BTW, could you share your experience about how you got this job with you ? Which things help you a lot so that you could get your job ?
Experience ? or graduate from big name schools.

The pragmatist's view (and mine) is stick it out long enough to get something better elsewhere. After all, it's a much better negotiating position that you're in when you already have a job.

It can be hard to stay centered in some organizations. Take a deep breath, and keep objective. In any organization there are some people (possibly a minority) who are genuinely helpful. Use them. Quietly learn all you can about the various businesses, increase your skill set, and carry as many little projects through to completion as you can, despite any antagonistic circumstances. Also write down and organize what you learn.

Stay patient so that your next move is to the right job, not the first available.

PS: Headhunters (lets be nice) always stretch the truth a bit.

Thanks for all the comments, guys. Really appreciate it.
I guess the pragmatic thing to do would be just to hang on until something good comes along.
A problem with this is that there is still an intense desire to strangle certain persons but fortunately I have already learned some industry standard risk management techniques - go long on alcohol derivatives.

Pat: So far the new skills I have acquired are nothing technical but perhaps invaluable for the management: creative accounting, politics and cover-your-back techiques. What are the exceptional learning opportunities (cant really learn elsewhere) in a investment management co??

All: What new skills/experiences/qualifications do you think are essential for investment management? (assuming I got none)

J: got 2 degrees (finance/ statistics) + honours (uni supposed to be best in my area). experience combined about 2 years in forex/stockbroking, brief stint in consulting (i was deciding what my career path should be). no particular reason why i got the job, was just looking for an investment management job; but i find it hard to get a good job; easy to get any job. i am not a verteran so probably wrong Q to ask me. I'm like a shrimp compared to most of the veteran sharks who post here!

PS. How do you guys manage your working environment when u have to take crap from others?

You have not seen what envoirment I got here