Be werry werry quite, I'm hunting traders.

So, I've applied to all the trading houses in chicago (jump, spot, Optiver, all top traders in every field). I've applied through the local career fair at my alma mater which they recruit through. I've written essays, taken tests, and just recently I was invited to "participate" in a mock trading game that lasts a month and costs money to play.

So I've decided to go hunting traders. Anyone know when the season is and where to get the appropriate licenses? I've heard that usually most preserves just use stock tip feeders and newsgroups to lure the traders in and then you blast them, but I think that may be a little unsporting. Also, I've been practicing with the bow recently and was wondering if there were any other bow hunters out there - my preference is compound bow myself.

 

You are a persistent one, so here's some advice that a trader stalker such as yourself may be able to parlay into something...

Go to the Chicago Board of Trade, get there a bit before markets close, get yourself a good spot at Ceres and make it your hangout, every day for a few weeks. Get known, spread some cash, realize that this is sorta like getting laid so you don't want to come off as eager. Shut your mouth, open your ears, be patient, when an opportunity presents itself strike up a conversation.

From that point on, you are on your own. Not that I know anyone who has made this happen, but hey....if you really are that hungry...

 
Midas Mulligan Magoo:
You are a persistent one, so here's some advice that a trader stalker such as yourself may be able to parlay into something...

Go to the Chicago Board of Trade, get there a bit before markets close, get yourself a good spot at Ceres and make it your hangout, every day for a few weeks. Get known, spread some cash, realize that this is sorta like getting laid so you don't want to come off as eager. Shut your mouth, open your ears, be patient, when an opportunity presents itself strike up a conversation.

From that point on, you are on your own. Not that I know anyone who has made this happen, but hey....if you really are that hungry...

Ok, ok, I know this is probably a real dumb question but.... Do they still do open outcry? And if not isn't the majority of the volume electronic now right? So why would all the traders even come to the CBOT for the most part? I would think that a majority would just be close to the exchange where they house all the servers just so they could get the latency.

If what I'm saying is the case, why would be near the CBOT be a benefit in terms of networking?

Sorry, I know that this all must be obvious to some of you, but I'm a bit confused.

 
Midas Mulligan Magoo:
You are a persistent one, so here's some advice that a trader stalker such as yourself may be able to parlay into something...

Go to the Chicago Board of Trade, get there a bit before markets close, get yourself a good spot at Ceres and make it your hangout, every day for a few weeks. Get known, spread some cash, realize that this is sorta like getting laid so you don't want to come off as eager. Shut your mouth, open your ears, be patient, when an opportunity presents itself strike up a conversation.

From that point on, you are on your own. Not that I know anyone who has made this happen, but hey....if you really are that hungry...

So went to Ceres. Helpful tips, tricks, and hints:

First, order the buffalo chicken rolls. There are also spring rolls, but those, apparently, are shit.

Second, order a mixed drink because if you order a rum and coke they give you a full tumbler of rum and a can of coke. Great deal and you will get drunk. Pretty sweet.

Also the patty melt is good. I got mine with bacon.

Oh and while I was there I wrote down the directory listing of all the companies in the CBOT. If they can afford office space maybe they can afford to hire me.

I will be there on Friday as well, most likely. If anyone wants to talk just look for the coolest guy in the room.

Yours as always the illustrious monkeysama

 

Ha, both of you hit it spot on. Either Ceres, or try Tutto's Italiano outside of CBOE. We dont hire in any cyclical fashion. When we need people, and we are making money, we hire. We are actually going through applications right now. Private msg me with a link to an uploaded resume.

 
Best Response

Mokeysama :

When I interned at the NY MERC many of the pits were already going electronic; even still many of the traders came in every day just to get a feel of what was happening and talk to the other guys/watch the boards. Also; instead of a physical book they would carry around this tablet computer, almost like a huge palm pilot.

Biggest mistake I ever made in life was not pursing a full time opportunity there; I was too young to realize that what went down in those pits was the absolute truth - plus it was my first finance job period.

The comex was a little bit like the wild west though; some of the shit I saw while I was there was not exactly what I was expecting: ie drug sniffing dogs,10's of thousands in cash sitting on desks, even liars poker ring games during lulls in the action.

One of the traders once gave me a Ben Frank to go grab him a Red Bull and a bagel; and then told me to pocket the 94$ in change. During my second week a junior trader led me to the bathroom to offer me a line at 7:30 in the morning. All of this shit was just crazy from a college freshman's perspective ....but should not belittle the fact that some absolute gangsters used to walk around the pits and that there is also a lot to be said for being in the eye of the storm.

Not sure what its like in chicago, but nyc was a crazy place just 4 years ago.

 
sleeplessinlondon:
Mokeysama :

When I interned at the NY MERC many of the pits were already going electronic; even still many of the traders came in every day just to get a feel of what was happening and talk to the other guys/watch the boards. Also; instead of a physical book they would carry around this tablet computer, almost like a huge palm pilot.

Biggest mistake I ever made in life was not pursing a full time opportunity there; I was too young to realize that what went down in those pits was the absolute truth - plus it was my first finance job period.

The comex was a little bit like the wild west though; some of the shit I saw while I was there was not exactly what I was expecting: ie drug sniffing dogs,10's of thousands in cash sitting on desks, even liars poker ring games during lulls in the action.

One of the traders once gave me a Ben Frank to go grab him a Red Bull and a bagel; and then told me to pocket the 94$ in change. During my second week a junior trader led me to the bathroom to offer me a line at 7:30 in the morning. All of this shit was just crazy from a college freshman's perspective ....but should not belittle the fact that some absolute gangsters used to walk around the pits and that there is also a lot to be said for being in the eye of the storm.

Not sure what its like in chicago, but nyc was a crazy place just 4 years ago.

Know anybody that knows anybody that might need somebody?

 

You had time to post a review on their food and alcohol but not on any contacts you made. Shame on you. Put as much effort into striking up conversations stalking the would be trader as you do into your food & beverage review and you will likely end up with atleast an interview.

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.
 
trade4size:
You had time to post a review on their food and alcohol but not on any contacts you made. Shame on you. Put as much effort into striking up conversations stalking the would be trader as you do into your food & beverage review and you will likely end up with atleast an interview.

Give it time. I made a few friends today, but I'm not about to put their names out there on the net. All I'm trying to say is "thanks for the advice" and tell you guys that I take it seriously.

 

Corrupti accusamus iste nemo voluptatibus. Error architecto aliquid alias omnis quia id error.

Dolor sunt perspiciatis amet. Cupiditate vitae et qui et.

Aspernatur deleniti nulla eos veritatis enim voluptatem aperiam. Officia qui veritatis id amet. Quis laboriosam consectetur et distinctio eius nesciunt debitis velit. Repellat quia provident suscipit esse perferendis animi. Laboriosam facilis laudantium aut tenetur sit nostrum odit qui. Non ratione quas aut quo.

Exercitationem voluptatum doloribus nemo sit soluta et. Sint qui est reiciendis numquam velit expedita. Quo saepe harum enim enim. Et non in omnis non distinctio. Facilis vel reiciendis inventore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”