From banking to trading - Analyst at a mid-tier BB (Originally Posted: 01/16/2012)
I am an analyst in at a mid-tier BB product group in IBD. After two years of grinding, I am interested in moving to trading, especially commodities trading. I have been involved in several energy M&A and LBO transactions and think the commodities space is where I want to be in the future.
Want to hear if anyone / know anyone has successfully done it and what the process was like? Given the current state of market, would this be very difficult?
Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance.
My advice is to attend the Energy Rodeo and to start learning as much as you can about markets. You should expect a paycut...can any other monkeys confirm this part? I would have a really good reason as to why trading. Are you currently housed in NYC?
i made the move from a DCM group to swaps trading, its possible. its difficult no doubt but its doable, you just have to be willing to start at the bottom of the pecking order again bc whatever you think you know about markets/products will prove to be much less than anyone on the desk already.
you'll prob start as an analyst again ... I've seen guys spend 3-4 years in other roles then move to S&T and start over. I've def heard of guys moving to sales but not so sure about trading.
It happens, not really common but it is possible. I'd guess either you want to network a lot to make a transition, or you'd have to go back to school.
Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard.
-30 Rock
I've heard that, for math/eng. majors, trading jobs are easier to get, but of course they're harder to succeed in. If you can handle the hours, you can handle IB; whereas there are traders who lose money and end up getting fired.
What would you say some of the potential obstacles are for such a move? Wont the interviewers wonder why you hadn't done the analyst program in the first place? Does any one have any suggestions to how one should go about making the switch. Realistically, you are probably a little over 1 year out of undergrad and apply for an MBA level position. Is firm standard recruiting better, or working with a head hunter?
it can be done as I just did it, a lot of places will look at you as a 3rd year analyst though. of course the questions are going to be why the switch from banking to S&T and if you dont have a good answer you dont have a shot at making the transition. I didnt find headhunters very helpful in my search but that could be bc I didnt meet the right one, firm lateral recruiters were much more helpful imo.
analyst26- can you send me a list of helpful lateral recruiters that can help me transition from ibanking to trading? where are you at now and how would you compare the ib vs. s&t so far? thanks so much!
From IB to trading (Originally Posted: 04/30/2007)
Can you make the move from IB or Capital markets to trading. Or is it a different skill set. I know one guy who was in M&A then moved into equity prop desk and they wanted an individual who could deveelop models and value companies. If you are in DCM or ECM can it also merit such a move.
how to go from banking-->trading? (Originally Posted: 07/08/2010)
Hey guys,
I'll try to keep this as brief and anonymous as possible. Here's my background
Stanford
4.0 Philosophy major
small D1 sport (think volleyball, swimming, etc) captain
significant coursework: Calc 1-3, linear alg., ODE's, game theory, business class, intermediate micro
I'm interning at a BB doing banking this summer but don't like it and want to do trading FT.
I've been bored with banking and it shows. My mid-summer reviews were fine, but far from glowing. I'm trying to get a FT banking offer so I can interview with the trading guys but want to plan as if I'm not getting an offer and don't have this opportunity.
Here are my questions:
1) I have access to a lot of traders right now and can network/talk to them if I want. How should I use this to increase my chances of trading FT?
2) How can I get interviews in August before I go back to school? Doing normal recruiting will be difficult/nearly impossible during my senior fall.
3) How difficult do you anticipate this being?
4) Advice on how to go about deciding which product I'd like to trade / more about the industry?
1) Networking never hurts. It's good to spend time (although i don't know how much you have) to meet with traders, talk to them, and hopefully get in contact with their HR or something to get an interview
2) Generally if you want to switch departments they will have accelerated interviews (if you get one from the aforementioned networking)
3) Depends on how well you network, but i would assume it won't be too hard. If you want interviews from other firms, then that is a different story.
4) Meet with the desks and sit with them to see if it's something you're interested in. Also read up on the different products and see if you're interested / understand what drives hte market
Just wondering if its possible to, after your analyst stint in the corporate finance side of investment banking, to swith into the trading side? I know they're not directly related, but if you can't get into trading out of college and you can get into IBD, would your first years there be a good stepping stone to trading?
I know for certain that it is possible at Lehman. They have a process that facilitates switching after the 2yrs stint and I have actually met ppl that made that transition.
Naija's right it can definitely be done after 2 years and if you're a top performer. Closer121 - considering you're still asking questions relating to background checks and aren't currently in the industry, please refrain from offering the one-word definitve answers to questions of which you clearly have no knowledge.
I've met some people who have made the switch from Asset Management/IBD into Structuring (which at some banks is part of "sale & trading")
As a side note if you are getting IBD offers but not trading offers it might be that you are you are a better fit for IBD. Trust recruiters they are more than likely on point (its thier job to place people in the right spots). If your heart is set on trading work at being a top performing and I am sure you'll have an opportunity to make the switch after two years.
Moving to Trading from IB (Originally Posted: 04/20/2011)
I am potentially interested in making the transition. Have any other monkeys does so? How hard is it actually? Do any of you know places that may be hiring, or have a tendency to take ex IBD guys.?
I asked some Canadian S&T MDs this question a while back. They looked at me like I was high on crack. While it may be a national thing for them, the rivalries in finance can start to look like the interservice rivalries in the military.
"Dude, not trying to be a dick here, but your shop looks like a frontrunner for the cover of Better Boilerrooms & Chophouses or Bucketshop Quarterly."
-Uncle Eddie
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no
everyone moves.
Thats not a typical career progression. Trading and Banking are very different jobs, and aren't really comparable.
Some people move when they do not like banking
I think its easier to go from banking to trading than the other way around.
your mileage may vary
what about a trading job in a non IB (prop shop, hedge fund, etc.) to trading at an IB?
that could happen, but usually it goes the other way.
It happens.
usually banking to trading. that's what I did
usually banking to trading. that's what I did
From banking to trading - Analyst at a mid-tier BB (Originally Posted: 01/16/2012)
I am an analyst in at a mid-tier BB product group in IBD. After two years of grinding, I am interested in moving to trading, especially commodities trading. I have been involved in several energy M&A and LBO transactions and think the commodities space is where I want to be in the future.
Want to hear if anyone / know anyone has successfully done it and what the process was like? Given the current state of market, would this be very difficult?
Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance.
My advice is to attend the Energy Rodeo and to start learning as much as you can about markets. You should expect a paycut...can any other monkeys confirm this part? I would have a really good reason as to why trading. Are you currently housed in NYC?
i made the move from a DCM group to swaps trading, its possible. its difficult no doubt but its doable, you just have to be willing to start at the bottom of the pecking order again bc whatever you think you know about markets/products will prove to be much less than anyone on the desk already.
you'll prob start as an analyst again ... I've seen guys spend 3-4 years in other roles then move to S&T and start over. I've def heard of guys moving to sales but not so sure about trading.
Same question although Im an undergrad with several M&A/IBD internships - mostly consumer/retail focused. Probably more into Sales tbh.
moving from IB to trading? (Originally Posted: 08/02/2010)
Hey guys,
How competitive do you think this resume is for FT trading positions and how should I improve it?
Thanks for the help, Yodaddy
what resume?
http://www.razume.com/documents/16029
From IBD to Trading (Originally Posted: 12/16/2009)
How likely is a career progression from IBD to Trading after two year analyst stint?
Very rare, maybe if you had some connects you could try to push for HY or something relevant like that. Usually takes b-school to make the jump.
IBD to trading (Originally Posted: 05/02/2010)
ibd to trading? Anyone know anyone who's done this? How would it be done?
I'm trying to go the other way.
It happens, not really common but it is possible. I'd guess either you want to network a lot to make a transition, or you'd have to go back to school.
Banking to Trading (Originally Posted: 04/26/2007)
Whats the general view on moving from banking to trading ? anyone with experience ? does it happen often ? etc. etc.
Usually they end up in research. There is quite negative stigma against bankers on the floor. My old boss used to call them "Freaks".
thats my experience, maybe its different else where.
From banking to trading - 3 years of banking (Originally Posted: 07/20/2006)
Does 3 years of banking experience help at all if I were to try to enter trading or a hedge fund? How much do the skill sets require overlap?
i've met people who've made that transition, but it isn't the easiest. i think some of them went back for their mba as a way to make the leap.
ibanking's skillset: do the monkey job at 2am. hedge fund skill set: to think. not sure about the overlap....
I've heard that, for math/eng. majors, trading jobs are easier to get, but of course they're harder to succeed in. If you can handle the hours, you can handle IB; whereas there are traders who lose money and end up getting fired.
Banking to trading (Originally Posted: 07/31/2007)
Just wondering if anyone had heard of any analysts going to an associate trading program after their analyst banking program?
yes
jimbo, would you say this is fairly common?
no it's not common...b/c most ppl in banking aren't interested in trading particularly.
What would you say some of the potential obstacles are for such a move? Wont the interviewers wonder why you hadn't done the analyst program in the first place? Does any one have any suggestions to how one should go about making the switch. Realistically, you are probably a little over 1 year out of undergrad and apply for an MBA level position. Is firm standard recruiting better, or working with a head hunter?
it can be done as I just did it, a lot of places will look at you as a 3rd year analyst though. of course the questions are going to be why the switch from banking to S&T and if you dont have a good answer you dont have a shot at making the transition. I didnt find headhunters very helpful in my search but that could be bc I didnt meet the right one, firm lateral recruiters were much more helpful imo.
analyst26- can you send me a list of helpful lateral recruiters that can help me transition from ibanking to trading? where are you at now and how would you compare the ib vs. s&t so far? thanks so much!
From IB to trading (Originally Posted: 04/30/2007)
Can you make the move from IB or Capital markets to trading. Or is it a different skill set. I know one guy who was in M&A then moved into equity prop desk and they wanted an individual who could deveelop models and value companies. If you are in DCM or ECM can it also merit such a move.
at top 3 bb who went from lev fin to hy trading
those make sense bc lev fin ppl generally understand high yield products fairly well
i also know an m&A bankers who moved to a stat arbitrage desk
there are many ways in which valuation can help you succeed in trading, generally have to find a desk where it makes sense
CM to trading isnt very difficult. The ECM guy's used to sit somewhere on the equities floor, although i always thought they were meant to be in china
how to go from banking-->trading? (Originally Posted: 07/08/2010)
Hey guys,
I'll try to keep this as brief and anonymous as possible. Here's my background
Stanford 4.0 Philosophy major small D1 sport (think volleyball, swimming, etc) captain
significant coursework: Calc 1-3, linear alg., ODE's, game theory, business class, intermediate micro
I'm interning at a BB doing banking this summer but don't like it and want to do trading FT.
I've been bored with banking and it shows. My mid-summer reviews were fine, but far from glowing. I'm trying to get a FT banking offer so I can interview with the trading guys but want to plan as if I'm not getting an offer and don't have this opportunity.
Here are my questions:
1) I have access to a lot of traders right now and can network/talk to them if I want. How should I use this to increase my chances of trading FT?
2) How can I get interviews in August before I go back to school? Doing normal recruiting will be difficult/nearly impossible during my senior fall.
3) How difficult do you anticipate this being?
4) Advice on how to go about deciding which product I'd like to trade / more about the industry?
Thanks for all the help, Yodaddy
1) Networking never hurts. It's good to spend time (although i don't know how much you have) to meet with traders, talk to them, and hopefully get in contact with their HR or something to get an interview
2) Generally if you want to switch departments they will have accelerated interviews (if you get one from the aforementioned networking)
3) Depends on how well you network, but i would assume it won't be too hard. If you want interviews from other firms, then that is a different story.
4) Meet with the desks and sit with them to see if it's something you're interested in. Also read up on the different products and see if you're interested / understand what drives hte market
IBD to Trading (Originally Posted: 10/31/2007)
Just wondering if its possible to, after your analyst stint in the corporate finance side of investment banking, to swith into the trading side? I know they're not directly related, but if you can't get into trading out of college and you can get into IBD, would your first years there be a good stepping stone to trading?
no.
I know for certain that it is possible at Lehman. They have a process that facilitates switching after the 2yrs stint and I have actually met ppl that made that transition.
Naija's right it can definitely be done after 2 years and if you're a top performer. Closer121 - considering you're still asking questions relating to background checks and aren't currently in the industry, please refrain from offering the one-word definitve answers to questions of which you clearly have no knowledge.
I've met some people who have made the switch from Asset Management/IBD into Structuring (which at some banks is part of "sale & trading")
As a side note if you are getting IBD offers but not trading offers it might be that you are you are a better fit for IBD. Trust recruiters they are more than likely on point (its thier job to place people in the right spots). If your heart is set on trading work at being a top performing and I am sure you'll have an opportunity to make the switch after two years.
Moving to Trading from IB (Originally Posted: 04/20/2011)
I am potentially interested in making the transition. Have any other monkeys does so? How hard is it actually? Do any of you know places that may be hiring, or have a tendency to take ex IBD guys.?
Curious as well...
look forward to reading the answers here- I'll be trying for the other way around during b-school...
I asked some Canadian S&T MDs this question a while back. They looked at me like I was high on crack. While it may be a national thing for them, the rivalries in finance can start to look like the interservice rivalries in the military.
may I ask all the gentlemen above why do you want to make such transition?
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Est nesciunt dolorum cum rerum sint. Eligendi architecto maxime architecto aut nam deleniti. Enim a autem aut debitis ipsam. Enim saepe in velit ut tempore magnam. Consectetur consequuntur sint velit vero asperiores officia tempore. Modi occaecati tenetur et ullam iusto soluta.
Ex recusandae officia voluptates et aliquid aut ducimus. Aliquam assumenda totam quasi in deleniti. Excepturi deleniti autem velit voluptatem unde nulla. Cum vero officiis voluptatem earum.
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Et modi qui labore. Cupiditate ducimus maiores quaerat. Dolorum vero dolor nihil non.
Pariatur fuga quisquam voluptatibus et officiis doloribus velit. Veritatis et dolore maiores aut. Nobis eveniet unde non alias non quam. Aut distinctio minus et totam est repellat fugiat.
Doloribus qui molestiae accusamus et qui. Fugiat quia itaque sed. Porro rerum dolor minima et.
Officiis dolor eius necessitatibus repellat ullam eaque. Ex qui reprehenderit voluptatem maiores dolorem. Occaecati nihil dignissimos quisquam quo.
Ex molestias cumque dolore laboriosam facilis magnam dolores. Eius vero praesentium officiis consequatur enim voluptate. Debitis dolorem labore saepe odio repudiandae reiciendis.
Nostrum eos occaecati officiis. Perspiciatis error aut tempora fuga sit aut. Delectus aut consequatur dolorum. Est non fuga aliquam beatae assumenda assumenda ipsam. Accusamus officia repellat ipsa.