Investment Banking
Discussion
Does anyone work in this sector?
If so, I am looking to get into trading and was wondering if anyone knows of any decent recruitement agencies or even better a list of e-mails to fire out my CV?
I suppose the ultimate would be anyone on here willing to offer me a job
I am willing to start at the bottom and work my way up 
I have a very good degree in Economics from a red brick Uni, attended one of the country's top schools and am currently on a Corporate Finance Fasttrack Graduate Scheme with a blue chip company.
Can anyone suggest the best way into a trading position?
If so, I am looking to get into trading and was wondering if anyone knows of any decent recruitement agencies or even better a list of e-mails to fire out my CV?
I suppose the ultimate would be anyone on here willing to offer me a job
I am willing to start at the bottom and work my way up I have a very good degree in Economics from a red brick Uni, attended one of the country's top schools and am currently on a Corporate Finance Fasttrack Graduate Scheme with a blue chip company.
Can anyone suggest the best way into a trading position?
I might as well offer a wee bit of advice.
You're very unlikely to get people in the trade offering jobs on a forum. If you've had emails then you're very fortunate.
Firing out CVs etc to every man and his dog won't be that successful either. The big firms get thousands a year... you've got to give them a reason to give you a call.
Work on a good covering letter if you're not going through the normal graduate routes. State the reasons you want to be an investment banker.
Are you doing this just for the money?
If so, DO NOT TELL THEM! Honestly, 99% of IBers are in it for the money and the thrill of dealing with money. It's not an hours friendly career. You'll be doing stupid hours for years... get a promotion... then work stupid hours for stupid money. But the recruiters want people who love the job more than the money.
If you're a student, go to the career fairs. Theres a good annual one in Islington. Citykid or similar. Went last year, all the big firms (CSFB, Goldmans etc) were there with bored PR people dying to talk to you.
You also need to be specific about what type of IB you want to go into.
Trading is oh so very different from Operations... then you'll decide whether you want M&A (mergers and aquisitions) or whatever.
Get it clear what you want to do, write a kick ass covering letter saying why you want the position but don't sound cocky.
Hope that helps,
Rico
You're very unlikely to get people in the trade offering jobs on a forum. If you've had emails then you're very fortunate.
Firing out CVs etc to every man and his dog won't be that successful either. The big firms get thousands a year... you've got to give them a reason to give you a call.
Work on a good covering letter if you're not going through the normal graduate routes. State the reasons you want to be an investment banker.
Are you doing this just for the money?
If so, DO NOT TELL THEM! Honestly, 99% of IBers are in it for the money and the thrill of dealing with money. It's not an hours friendly career. You'll be doing stupid hours for years... get a promotion... then work stupid hours for stupid money. But the recruiters want people who love the job more than the money.
If you're a student, go to the career fairs. Theres a good annual one in Islington. Citykid or similar. Went last year, all the big firms (CSFB, Goldmans etc) were there with bored PR people dying to talk to you.
You also need to be specific about what type of IB you want to go into.
Trading is oh so very different from Operations... then you'll decide whether you want M&A (mergers and aquisitions) or whatever.
Get it clear what you want to do, write a kick ass covering letter saying why you want the position but don't sound cocky.
Hope that helps,
Rico
I use to work for an Investment Bank, although luckily not as a trader. If you look in todays FT there is a section on City Career and an article commenting that IB's are suffering from junior staff shortages. The other place worth looking would be Tuesday FT where more junior jobs are advertised. Why do you want to be a trader the job can be very very stressful , oh and you get sacked if you cock up......
Given your industry experience you might be better considering other jobs in an IB such as either Corporate Finance, Advisory work or Debt, debt experience could well be a way into Bond / High Yiel trading.
I would suggest going and having a chat with one of the Cities recruitment firms, they can be a waelth of advice only be carful as they are gnerally only working for them selves. I have had good experience with Hanover Search and Selection , sorry don't have their phone number with me.
Hope this is of some help, let me know if there is anything else I can help with.
Given your industry experience you might be better considering other jobs in an IB such as either Corporate Finance, Advisory work or Debt, debt experience could well be a way into Bond / High Yiel trading.
I would suggest going and having a chat with one of the Cities recruitment firms, they can be a waelth of advice only be carful as they are gnerally only working for them selves. I have had good experience with Hanover Search and Selection , sorry don't have their phone number with me.
Hope this is of some help, let me know if there is anything else I can help with.
PetrolTed said:
Good place to spend a few years - just don't get too dependent on the salary or you'll be locked in to a life of stress and no home life when you're older and want to break free
Yes I would agree with that. I think it was Robin Day who said something like: "...if you have capital, you're a free man, but if you have a big salary, you're a slave..."
james_j said:
Yes I would agree with that. I think it was Robin Day who said something like: "...if you have capital, you're a free man, but if you have a big salary, you're a slave..."
But which would most choose to be.
a Rich, affluent Wage Slave.
a Poor, hungry Free Man.
Romance aside
Thanks for the replies guys, plenty to think about.
I want to get into it as its something that has always appealed to me, for various reasons.
I am going to speak to a few recruitement agencies and see what they reccommend.
I am alos going to look into the graduate schemes offered by the banks although it would not be my preferred route. I am on a supposedly top scheme now and I don't think its going to suit me long term. I would rather start right at the bottom and prove myself that way.
Still, I will keep you all up to date with my progress!
I want to get into it as its something that has always appealed to me, for various reasons.
I am going to speak to a few recruitement agencies and see what they reccommend.
I am alos going to look into the graduate schemes offered by the banks although it would not be my preferred route. I am on a supposedly top scheme now and I don't think its going to suit me long term. I would rather start right at the bottom and prove myself that way.
Still, I will keep you all up to date with my progress!
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