Hey guys,
I got shortlisted to Trafigura International Trader programme and I have my first round of interviews at their Geneva office in November.
Anyone else has an interview for this program? any tips about the interview questions? what should I prepare ?
I have a background in physical trading (mainly steel) and I am completing my MBA now ...
Anyway, all tips/pointers will be appreciated!
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Hey makeb, How many days it take for you to get shortlisted after finishing your online application ? Were you intimated about being shortlisted by mail or over phone ?
I have heard that questions are mostly based on hedging strategies and how and what would you hedge when you buy a product from nation to be shipped to another nation . Mostly basics of trading.
Hope this helps. Cheers.
Hi
Congrats on the interview - I will be interviewing in Geneva also. Not a great deal of info about previous interviews. I'm guessing since we're coming from trading backgrounds it's going to be technical. PM if you want to discuss further.
For others interested I had HR screening call a few weeks ago and invite to interview on that call. My background is paper commod trading (mainly oil products), options and structured products, 4.5 yrs exp.
Congrats on the call to Geneva Jothy17 and all the best for the interview. Once you were done with your online application , how many days did it take for you get a screening call ? Was it just the usual brain teasers or something to do with trading?
Thanks
Applied end August - call early October
Wasn't too taxing. No brain teasers or anything of that sort, just reason for application, knowledge of Trafigura & few basic q's on trading.
Best of luck & hope that helps.
Thanks for the posts guys.
I applied early September and got the call mid October (6 weeks overall).
I ve been preparing for the interview by mainly "studying" their website and meeting with other traders (not from trafigura) to discuss and ask questions.
Hi
I wondered if somebody has more insights about the selection criteria and the required professional background. I fnished a 3-years apprenticeship in a soft commodity shop and rotated between different departments as trading, logistics and operations, trade finance, ship risk management and economic analysis. But I cannot provide a PnL, because I mainly executed the trading strategy, sometimes I formulated on trading ideas and arbitrage opportunities, but was not responsible for the positions or the product account. I am not sure if this is sufficient. Which persons did they intake in the past? How long does it take until you receive a response on you application? I saw that it is opened until June. Does somebody know more about the two days in Geneva, I read sth. about trading games. Thx
Hi, congrats to those who interviewed. I'd like to know how it went if you want to share. I received a call from Geneva about the Oil trader program in the Houston office, and they said that I would get to interview. When you received your call, did they set up the interview right then or did they have someone call you back? Any info on what the actual interview was like would be great too. Thanks.
Hey
Kindly advice about the Trafigura International Trade Programme; I applied this year and am waiting to be contacted soon so I am preparing myself so kindly advice me on the following:
Many Thanks and am looking forward to hear from you.
International Trade Programme at Trafigura (Originally Posted: 10/16/2015)
Kindly advice about the Trafigura International Trade Programme; kindly advice me on the following:
Many Thanks and am looking forward to hear from you.
Hi - I've read a lot from these forums and others, so feel like its probably time to give a bit back...
Gave this answer in a PM - hopefully useful info for a few people.
Traf process was as follows:- (for international trader prog)
I only made it to the 1st round. Don't remember it being overly technical although maybe read oil 101 to get up to speed on basics/oil hedging. I know one other guy who was at the interview had a standard brain teaser. We both thought our interviews went well but neither of us got through.
FYI for those interested in the background of the candidates, most people I met at interviews were either traders/market makers.
Not sure what they look for but seems like a great opportunity, good guys etc.
Best of luck.
Trafigura Commodities Training (Originally Posted: 09/24/2013)
Anyone on here work with Trafigura or at least go through the commodities program at some point?
I doubt anyone will come forth, they have a secretive culture
whats your question
I didn't have any one question in particular, just hoping to learn about the nuances of the program itself, the interview process with Trafigura, and the culture
program is tough. interview process is not easy... lot of interviews and test, culture is dead tough.. you make money or out the door
I assume you're talking about the grad program. It's very competitive to get into, and is not the best path to becoming a trader at Traf. Trader positions are usually filled by outside hires. As Monty said, the culture is brutal and cut-throat.The grad program is good training for MO and BO positions though.
Alpha-Resistant,
Did Trafigura not respond to your internship application? Or what else happened? We'll listen. And what does Alpha-Resistant mean? Isn't that bad?
A lot of malicious misguidance gets shared here. A rotational program in any energy company, trading house or bank will be an excellent way to get exposure to a trading desk. It's up to you if you can set yourself apart and create opportunities for yourself. With a bit of luck you get to stay at Trafigura (if this is the firm that turns you on) OR you take the knowledge and find another shop.
And yes, you will get fired if you're deadweight. As you should. Nobody needs a joker that requires resources and generates shitty P&L. Don't be that guy.
I think most people think with the same logic but it's not true at all
My name is self-deprecating. I thought that was evident but apparently not.
I can assure you my comment was not malicious nor misguided, but I apologize if that is how it's interpreted. There is no doubt that the grad program at Traf is a very reputable program at a top shop. But, as TheSquale pointed out and as the Traf website emphasizes, it is not a trading program. If you do make it into the grad program and want to be a trader long-term, your best bet is to land a rotation on Deals Desk and work your ass off. But as TheSquale also pointed out, you're competing against very high-caliber individuals both in the grad program and at other firms for an extremely limited number of trading seats.
I also don't want to disparage the BO and MO roles I mentioned. These are great roles for the right person, and can pay very well while still allowing a good work-life balance.
What are you referring to?
This is clearly written that the graduate program is NOT a feeder for a trading position at Trafigura. Except if you have demonstrated that you are highly valuable and really good at what you are doing. If I had to guess I would say that less than 5% of the people that go through this graduate program end up trading.
You're saying you have to be better than others to get the opportunity? I agree with you.
I am not saying better, by being in the top 99% you are already "better than others", I am saying that you have to be really OUTSTANDING to make the leap.
Confidence is a good way to achieve one's objective but not when misplaced. I think that it your end goal is to work as a trader for Trafigura you better off starting someplace else.
Grad program is designed to give one exposure across the entire gamut of the commodities trading spectrum and introduces individuals to the business in general--contrary to popular belief on this forum, there are other important and well compensated roles than just trading. The program does not guarantee at all that you'll be a trader and you'll have to work/network relentlessly for a modicum of a chance. The Jr. Trader/International trader program is a better feeder to the actual trading desks.
The junior trader program - IMO - is mainly a feeder into their prop derivative trading business. I think prop traders at Trafi have a separate book from the physical traders. I don't know if derivatives traders have an easier route into trading physical.
I think getting a trader position on any physical trading team is a matter of gaining trust, likability, luck (with opportunities) and hard work. There is no one trajectory. I also think with the way Trafi is evolving, a lot of their "commercial" roles might not involve conventional trading. It could involve managing a warehouse, joining their Asset Management team etc. Also, there are plenty of top i-bankers at Trafi/Glencore who don't trade, but I-bankers don't always bring money to a trading house, so they have less value than a seasoned trader who pulls in millions every year.
Physical trading is very real world and is def not the fantasy world created in your average i-banking/consulting office. In addition to being extremely street-smart and having market savvy, you need to be super political to be successful and its the same everywhere - Trafigura, Glencore etc. Its all about who you can trust vs. who is going to fool you out of your job.
From what I know, it also helps to be good at golf, especially if your in the Northeast.
I've got a second round with them coming up for metals, minerals, and bulk. I won't give away much until I know the outcome for myself, because the process is competitive. That said, don't be surprised if you wake up on a Saturday morning to find your head pounding like a combustion engine and the phone ringing away for a surprise first round interview.
Hello sensiisamurai,
How many days did it take for them to give you a call after you finished your online application? All the best with the rest of the procedure.
I applied for the oil & derivatives program & got a phone call from Geneva at 9 am Sunday morning. Then, I got another call the next day to schedule the first round in Stamford. If you have been through the process before please share your experience!
Hello Khaloui78,
How many days did it take for them to give you a call after you finished your online application? All the best with the rest of the procedure.
Trafigura interview (Originally Posted: 10/15/2013)
I applied the graduate programme of Trafigura but haven't receive any telephones or emails. Did anybody also apply and receive further information? Thx~
I hope you're not Jiajun...
Hola .wang,
I am told you generally have a revert from Trafigura a month after you finish your online application. How long has it been since you submitted your application?
Trafigura (Originally Posted: 12/19/2008)
Anyone have intel on this company? Specific experiences working there, interviewing, etc?
Trafi is more physical shop in my part of the world. They have nice guys over here.
@pillz:
If you don't mind me asking, what do you mean by a "more physical" shop?
Physical commodities.
yeah, meaning they do more physical deliveries, blending etc than just paper traading, unlike of shops/funds on the street.
Trafigura OIL (Originally Posted: 06/17/2011)
Has anyone interviewed for Trafigura's Oil Trading Graduate program?
Help/info would be GREATLY appreciated
did you get passed through to the interview stage?
Possibly
I did for the SA, they asked me how the physical trading business ran, fit questions and about the company.
Thanks-
I just applied to Trafigura's oil trader trainee program and wanted to see if anyone had luck with their interviews. I've worked at a small firm for the last few years, trading options and futures in energy and metals, but now I'm trying to break into the physical trading business.
Thanks.
Graduates going to Trafigura or currently there (Originally Posted: 09/15/2012)
Does anyone have any info on trafigura's graduate program? I know you spend time doing middle/back office work and that's fine. But does anyone know what the culture is like? Hours, pay (a range or specific numbers)? It doesn't seem like there's much info on this website about what it's like to work at the commodities trading shops and what to expect in terms of work environment, comp etc. probably because few people on the site have experience with them. If you've gone through the interview process, know about people's experience there, have worked there, please chime in! particularly if you have info on trafigura. Thanks
Anyone out there with some info?
from what ive seen culture leans more towards a bank than an oil major... fun but intense and very lean. some of the smartest people in the industry are there.
Thanks Tupac! Can you elaborate on what has given you these impressions?
can't really elaborate, sorry. hours are closer to bank hours (maybe 12 hours a day? occasional half day on weekends).
Bummer... thanks all the same for the info you have been able to give out. Hopefully someone else will be able to add to this
About Trafigura (Originally Posted: 10/05/2011)
Hi all
I have applied the Graduate program for Trafigura this year, and have received the invitation for the first round of interview. Therefore, I would like to ask you guys whether whom could give me any hint about the interview or about trafigura itself.
I have searched much from internet, however, the news about trafigura is not that much.
Based on my understanding, it is a physical trading company. But whether they also do some paper trading?
Like if there is a question that they will transport some oil from one country to another, how to minimize the risk?
Really appreciate if anyone could help!!
Thanks thanks very much!
Know about physical trading of oil. Risks, locations, logistics...etc.
Minimize risk by selling it forward
Thanks Revolution! So can I assume that you mean the risk is still on the price so need to sign the forward contract?
Then why not choose futures to do hedging?
they use futures or swaps. don't just know oil though, trafi is big in ags too. and u could probably set yourself apart my know more abt the physical (operational/logistical) aspects...
The div is oil and derivatives. I doubt knowing anything about Ags will benefit you any, as I'm sure the people your interviewing with know nothing about products they don't deal with. Just my opinion. Read oil 101, know physical logistics, spreads, swaps, forwards, and different types of physical delivery points, export facilities, and blends
Thanks very much guys. Hope to hear more from u!
Really want to read oil 101, anyone knows whether can find it online?
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