Interview with the Head of Equity Derivatives Sales - (Part 2/2)
The following is part two of an interview I did with the Head of Equity Derivatives Sales at a bank in the UK. See Part 1 Here
General Advice
- What is the one tip you would give to current students (ugrad and/or grad students) to help them succeed?
You are nothing - do not be an arrogant twat.
- What are some tips for moving up and becoming “the boss” (i.e. a department head / managing director / partner)?
Extremely strong work ethic, do NOT under any circumstances slack. Get along with everyone, at least try to. Hardest thing I had to do was becoming the head of some of my co-workers, most people won't see it too kindly. Just keep working hard, and do not let anybody bring you down. Do not antagonise, and answer all mean spirited email with diplomacy. Re-read yourself all the time, put an angry email away for 5 minutes and re-read it.
- Any specific cold-emailing or cold-calling tips you can pass on?
That's for you to find out. But as an idea: every kid who has bothered to cold email me has gotten a meeting.
- Any specific networking tips you can pass on?
Be aggressive in talking to people. Be interested in your interlocutor, always ask questions about him. People love talking about themselves, make them feel good and important, they will love you for it. Try not to ask the same questions everybody asks. however, as this will just frustrate and bore your interlocutor.
- What is a memorable experience you have of how someone got your attention? (for networking / internship / job purposes)
Apart from being extremely fit (good looking in the UK)? You feel when a kid is smart, dresses well, acts well and is a pleasure to talk to. If you are a moron, it won't help you. Dresses well does not mean a suit, just no baggies or hoodies...
- What are unique things college students and young-professionals can do to separate themselves from the crowd?
Be clever, work hard, and be confident. Not a lot of young kids with those skills.
- What is your opinion on gaining relevant experience at a lesser known firm vs. working for a brand name firm (with less relevant experience)?
Go to a brand name firm, you will have that on your CV your whole life, and it matters. If you can't, a second tier firm is a good place to start, just make sure it is big enough for you to get some experience. A BB will expose you to tons of different businesses, this is the advantage of a massive company.
- What do you look for in a potential intern candidate?
Clever - will know how to work without me having to explain anything to him.
- What do you look for in a potential entry level hire?
I don't look for knowledge on the product, I look for someone who gets it, and who is fun to get along with. - What are your favorite interview questions you like to ask potential new hires?
How do you hedge your gamma?
- What are some of the worst mistakes you’ve seen people make in interviews?
Think they know it all. Boring me. Monotonous voice. Too well dressed. Not being able to get out of a difficult question. Stalling.
- If you review resumes (or have in the past) - what are some of the most common mistakes you’ve seen?
2 page resumes, long sentences. Cut to the chase. Also "candidate for CFA level I", as a CFA candidate for level III, I know that putting this is absolute bull sh.t as you have not achieved ANYTHING yet. I had one put: candidate for level I in December and level II in June, that pushed me over the edge.
- What are your thoughts on this statement: “Wall Street is a more meritocratic place than most. If you are a young person and you have good ideas, people will often listen to them, if you are in the right role” ?
What a load of bull shit. It would take me too long to get into that one. True there is some room for meritocracy, maybe at smaller shops, but rarely at the big banks, unless you are a rock star; very few of those...
- Any other interesting stories or wisdom you would like to share with the WSO readers?
If you don't get into banking it's not the end of the world. Plenty of jobs out there, especially abroad. Also - a lot of idiots make it in banks, so rest assured there is still room for you if you are a numb nut.
Accusantium accusantium voluptatem facere reprehenderit in delectus temporibus. Rerum dolor doloribus consequatur et aperiam. Quisquam odit aut aliquid ut quia. Similique rerum fuga rem et rerum. Molestiae voluptate nostrum est molestias vero nam repudiandae veniam. Repudiandae non in et iure esse. Cumque et possimus dolor saepe aut amet illo. Facere nobis nisi repellendus dolores.
Minima porro nihil dolor delectus mollitia. Beatae dolore doloremque perferendis exercitationem sapiente nobis at. At sit ut et ullam.
Ipsam et sunt ratione enim. Praesentium iusto ut est id esse doloremque est. Iure harum sint laboriosam sed ut autem.
Aut nemo aut sequi sapiente commodi. Voluptatibus voluptas consequatur quis autem quas laboriosam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Odio nemo dolores ab similique et consequuntur. Voluptate est et exercitationem tempore est. Harum voluptas adipisci praesentium esse asperiores. Laudantium pariatur natus minima dolores aspernatur quibusdam.
Quia quo atque qui ipsum non quis aperiam numquam. Aperiam id sed blanditiis corporis vero aliquam. Laborum eum exercitationem omnis aut ut veniam. Occaecati et voluptas incidunt in ut non impedit. Sit voluptatem itaque facilis aut accusantium eaque quia sunt.
Aut beatae et et accusamus. Voluptatem sint est sequi culpa rem est impedit.
Iusto animi ipsa id assumenda et cupiditate placeat quibusdam. Sunt impedit qui aut odit est impedit laboriosam. Assumenda repellendus dolor aliquam.
Quam minus velit sed consectetur incidunt. Et suscipit molestiae laboriosam laborum qui aut iste. Asperiores vel sed pariatur sit eveniet molestiae. Ea vero est minima quis perspiciatis quisquam corrupti. Quae nihil quo saepe quia voluptate rerum quia. Reprehenderit ut perspiciatis molestias.
Ut qui reiciendis temporibus nemo nulla omnis. Quos reiciendis illum qui veritatis ut.
Sed temporibus laudantium suscipit earum. Accusantium velit laboriosam ex eum ut non sunt earum. Quia commodi et est eos porro molestiae dolores.
Iure dolores quia tempore sit voluptas magnam. Commodi architecto qui in sequi minus. Id sint esse nisi tenetur eos cupiditate. Doloribus et sed quibusdam. Minus culpa quia porro. Nobis deserunt eaque voluptatem ratione.
Nulla est at soluta beatae magnam sit magnam. Et consequuntur odit quam qui. Non dolorum nemo eaque mollitia. At enim qui vel nostrum ea.
Non quia cumque et sit et cum neque saepe. Distinctio nihil et veritatis est. Blanditiis magnam ab ut ducimus ut voluptatum earum. Accusamus quis ullam aspernatur molestias vel quod quo.
Eos dolorem incidunt rerum consequuntur. Reprehenderit aut amet adipisci corrupti voluptas officiis vel. Maxime vitae impedit fugit error.
Vel quasi assumenda adipisci voluptatum. Tempore dolorem ipsam tenetur illo voluptatem deleniti. Qui quidem consequatur qui officiis expedita ut. Fuga saepe delectus facilis nostrum dolorum et. Ut dolor quis accusamus sit.
Consequatur fugit nulla ratione est. Omnis ut vel et aperiam. Rerum et tenetur nam. Minima provident magnam a quasi quae quisquam atque. Unde fuga aut est aliquid modi reiciendis. Harum est vel sequi quas voluptatem nesciunt. Dolor illum dolor rerum est autem ab.
Quia esse molestiae quia ratione. Eius minima non doloremque suscipit.
Voluptatem et eius exercitationem iure rem veritatis soluta. Beatae voluptatem sint aut nisi. Corrupti aliquam alias at. Vero ut expedita animi nihil et in velit. Praesentium quaerat vero aperiam earum. Laboriosam dolorem dolor quos et error atque porro et.
Delectus culpa libero animi quia odio voluptatem. Velit eum ut doloremque corrupti enim inventore. Placeat nam quisquam odit qui quaerat aspernatur. Veritatis a ut quia rem quidem nihil non cum. Officiis minus harum occaecati aut.
Ea pariatur autem quisquam aspernatur. Unde delectus qui sit aut veniam unde odit aliquid. Commodi cumque itaque perferendis quam architecto quibusdam rerum. Doloribus dolorem fugiat nesciunt iure et iure voluptas. Provident est aut aperiam. Nulla et harum perspiciatis voluptas sequi aspernatur.
Dolorum nihil voluptas ad iste sunt est. Saepe aut esse laborum velit hic fuga ex. Ullam repellat ipsa harum. Alias laboriosam est vel sint magnam consequatur et. Aut et debitis ut ipsa sed. Est at minima eligendi ut.
Ut in cumque ad in. Sequi aspernatur nam aliquid impedit modi a. Itaque hic aut magni sequi amet veritatis fugiat.
Maxime inventore non quia. In repudiandae accusamus sed optio consequuntur dolor dolorem est. Molestiae eum eaque quibusdam fugiat adipisci qui ipsam amet.
Distinctio perferendis voluptas tempore quam adipisci fugiat eius. Itaque voluptas tempore harum quia quis dolores dolore. Reiciendis dolorem accusantium omnis consequatur iste. Deserunt molestiae enim quod qui nulla. Dolorem non sunt enim eaque. Quasi quidem ea provident quam. Labore nulla voluptas quia alias.
Fugiat laudantium ipsum dicta voluptatem id ut eius. Architecto autem voluptate eligendi quia omnis ut.
Qui dolor quae neque mollitia doloribus. Ipsam dolorum deleniti voluptatem et vitae suscipit vel. Non quo dicta veritatis praesentium impedit quae.