Recent Math Graduate 22 Years Looking for Options/Equity Prop Firm

[sle]

I agree with you one hundred percent. I’m not limiting myself to prop jobs. I just need advice on which not so related roles will ultimately help leverage and propel me into the trading industry most efficiently because I don’t want to spend years in meaningless jobs that won’t help me end up at a trading desk. I heard IT at a BB firm is an option?

As a general rule, any position that will get you face time with traders can potentially lead to being brought onto the desk. I have seen the following examples - at an IB, quants (mostly to exo desks, though), IT, controllers and middle office. At a fund it’s harder to move to a pm group (even if PM wants you to) for various reasons but I have seen execution IT dude move into a pm type role.

 

[Xela]

Employers don't care about your personal trading records, or performance or history.
I'm not saying this to sound like an ass or anything -- but they don't.

When you work for an investment or trading or banking firm...you don't really trade, per se...

There are doubtless some potential employers of whom the two statements quoted above are perfectly valid. I hope it won't cause too much consternation if I mention that there may be others, too. I do so because what's said in the two quotations above is all totally different both from my own experiences, and from those of some others I know.

But have to follow very strict and set and conservative guidelines.
And if you don't follow those risk and trading parameters...you're gone. You're not paid to get creative on your own and ballsy.

sometimes, we have to realize our limitations and come back to reality. and settle for slightly less.

I fully agree with those two observations.

 

[truetype]

I don’t want to spend years in meaningless jobs that won’t help me end up at a trading desk.

Jobs become "meaningless" when you're a clock-puncher. If you're ambitious and make yourself valuable, you'll move up on the Street.

 

[Moon]

Having read more than my fair share of resumes and conducted plenty of interviews (albeit for insurance), one thing we always respect is when someone who seems to be just below the qualification threshold is brash enough to shoot for the moon. If they come in and give a good interview, we almost always invite them back for a second. It shows confidence, ambition, and think-outside-the-box / bend-the-rules mentality that makes good hire candidates for us. The ones we do hire tend to be long-term employees too, and often are better at the job than those who have the 'paper' qualifications.

Thanks for this. I needed it. Going to start shooting more applications that seem a little bit out

 

[ajacobson]

The NY/NJ/CT area probably has well over 1000 firms related to the investment community.

Everything from:

Brokers
Funds
Family Offices
Data and Analytical
Service Providers
News Services

I can go on and I'm probably a 1000 firms light just on all the funds. Get out there or get on the phone and sell yourself.

Here is OCC's member directory. Most are represented in your market.

https://www.theocc.com/membership/member-information/

 

[sle]

There are doubtless some potential employers of whom the two statements quoted above are valid. I hope it won't cause too much consternation if I mention that there may be others, too. I do so because what's said in the two quotations above is all totally different both from my own experiences, and from those of some others I know.

From my perspective as a PM, it would never be a decisive factor that a person trades well in his personal account. However, it’s definitely a good conversation point and can be a plus. So it totally makes sense to bring the trade records with you and be ready to discuss in detail. Same for anything else that can potentially sway the interviewers opinion - back tests, models, presentations etc.

Case in point - recently i interviewed a kid that does a lot of crypto currency trading in his personal account. While I have no plans to trade CCs here (*) it made for an interesting chat and I got some insight into his thought process.


* disclaimer - I am a proud owner of 5 bitcoins from 4 years ago but that’s about as far my involvement in crypto goes

 

[ThunderThor]

Just remember this OP........

"To do the impossible, you must see the invisible."

 

[Moon]

The NY/NJ/CT area probably has well over 1000 firms related to the investment community.

Everything from:

Brokers
Funds
Family Offices
Data and Analytical
Service Providers
News Services

I can go on and I'm probably a 1000 firms light just on all the funds. Get out there or get on the phone and sell yourself.

Here is OCC's member directory. Most are represented in your market.

https://www.theocc.com/membership/member-information/

Wow I didn't even know this directory existed. Thank you so much. Would emailing be as effective as calling? I work full-time so I never have the chance to call during the weekdays

 

[newwurldmn]

Thanks for your reply. I don't mind if I have to follow a very strict set of guidelines to trade. I just want to know how I get my foot in the door given my background. Any advice?

Find alum from your school.

 

[thaitye]

What's going on EliteTraders,

This is my first post on this forum. I just graduated from a non-target school with a math/finance degree. Average 3.4 gpa. Knowledge and experience trading option spreads/equities. Don't have a huge track record of success. Applied to many prop firms. But having trouble getting interviews or offers. How should I formally record my trades to show potential employers? Do I just write my trades in microsoft word? Any advice would be appreciated.

Good Luck Mate