I think this kind of story is exactly why every single independant trader should turn their trading into a customer based business in some way, even if you are making lots of money. Get licenced and start an RIA business on the side, Write a newsletter, register as a CTA, Start a real estate business, do some web entrepreneurship/trader related web site, etc.
In 2006 I had to get a normal job after being independant for a long time. Fortunately i still had lots of resources compared to the average person, so was not desperate, but it was still tough. It is tough to get a job, even if you have been successful, because employers truly want the wage slave mentality. If they know you have resources or have never had to answer to anyone but yourself, it bothers them. So, you do have to kind of tamp that down.
You will not be able to get a job that matches your intelligence, so you need to put your ego aside and just do what is required, even if it is shit work. And trust me, most everything feels like shit work after making lots of money trading. I went to a few temp agencies and got placed in a mind-numbing accounting job where the other employees were 100% oblivous that they were in the process of being outsourced to india (I noticed it in first 15 minutes on the job).
I will say as odd as it sounds, I now value this experience (with hindsight). I now know how bad average people have it in life - it sucks. I am convinced America will get worse and worse for average people over the coming 20 years. Corporations treat average people like shit, simple as it is. I have a lot more sympathy for normal people, whereas before I really didn't, i just thought most of them were idiots.
You will also be shocked at how ineffecient everything is, how in most corporate departments 20% of the people do 80% of the work, while most are freeloaders filing their nails or surfing facebook all day. I realized after a few weeks that the department could be replaced by a handful of smart people who were paid more, but it can't be done. Workplace rules and PC don't allow for effecieny. Most employees have no notion of profit or the big picture, it took me a long time to understand that even managers had no notion of these things.
I used this time to do the CFA program, learn programming skills, enhanced my research skills, etc, and kept trading on the side. I completely changed my trading style - Focusing on ideas that could some day manage several hundred million, not just a relatively small prop account. It made me realize I did not want to be a trader, I just wanted to be rich - and the best way to do that is with a business, be it trading related or not.
I eventually was hired full time (not temp) transfered up a few times, and managed to get some decent work experience. I also improved my social skills, "small talk" ability, etc. I used to be one of those egotystical people who looked down on chit-chat (egomania?) but now I get it and have no problem with it. Bottom line, Im a better person and more well rounded.
After a huge 2008 I was financially and mentally ready to leave the corporate job. Felt quite good to quit. As of right now, still focusing on trading, investing and business building, and having a good time - things are good to great, so can't complain.
If you get in a tough spot, you have to find some way to turn the lemons into lemonade, tought as it might be to see it that way at the time.
