New office, no structure sink or swim culture - Associate 9fin Employee Review

The company leans heavily on buzzwords like “entrepreneurial” and “aggressive growth,” but in reality this translates into rapid hiring without the structure, processes, or leadership needed to support it. In the Belfast office. especially, it’s clear that no one has the capacity to properly train or onboard new hires. Expectations are high from day one, but they’re completely out of sync with the level of support provided. There’s little clarity on workflows, minimal guidance, and an assumption that people will just figure things out on their own. There is a training budget, but it’s largely ineffective. It doesn’t align with the actual day-to-day requirements of the role, so it ends up feeling like a tick-box exercise rather than something that genuinely helps employees succeed. Management can come across as surface-level supportive, but the reality is inconsistent. When things go wrong, the tone shifts quickly, and there’s little emphasis on development or accountability from leadership. Culturally, it leans heavily toward a boys’ club environment. Certain personalities and informal networks are clearly favoured, which makes it difficult to feel included or supported if you’re not part of that dynamic. This sits in contrast to the company’s messaging around inclusion, which doesn’t reflect the day-to-day experience. Overall, it feels like a company prioritising headcount and growth metrics over building a functional, fair, and supportive workplace