Need Advice on Switching Jobs - Trying to leave the trader support role

I have been at a trading software company doing trader support / business training for almost 3 years now and I'm ready to move on. I am trying to leave the trader support role behind for a front office job. I have had the benefit of learning and gaining experience by working with traders on many prominent trading floors around New York City. I was able to network with one group of traders, which lead to an interview but no offer. I have been in touch with recruiters and have been networking with the traders who are my clients but haven't had much luck. Any and all help as to what I can do next would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

6 Comments
 

MSF / MBA -> formal recruiting. In a few days, 21,000 people are going to be unemployed and many of them are experienced FO professionals: they're your competition. I'm the biggest fan of networking on this site and I'm saying this: it's not worth it. The 2012/13 hiring cycle will be the most competetive since 2008 and if you have three years of work experience, you're better off just going to business school and riding it out until after the recovery gains traction.

But you don't have to take my word for it.

Get busy living
 
dabanoboYou're trying to make a huge leap, of course. What kind of trading do you want to do?

I am open to get involved in any type of trading. I am most familiar with equities single orders as well as program trading and algo trading. Is going from trader support to a trading assistant really a huge leap? If so, what are the jobs/roles in between that you would recommend?

Thanks.

 
Best Response
14karat
dabanoboYou're trying to make a huge leap, of course. What kind of trading do you want to do?

I am open to get involved in any type of trading. I am most familiar with equities single orders as well as program trading and algo trading. Is going from trader support to a trading assistant really a huge leap? If so, what are the jobs/roles in between that you would recommend?

Thanks.

TA's at big firms are more middle office compares to a trade support which is back office. Usually you sit on the trade floor with your team of TA's and have a little more interaction. Trade support seems to usually be in a totally different location. Its not as common now but I know TA's used to fill in for traders if they were out for the day, basically sit in their seat and perform their role (if capable). At smaller firms a TA can be assigned to a desk where they basically support that one desk and have a better chance to move into a trading role

 

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