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.

 

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