Advice: Middle-Office to hedge fund Front Office?

Hi.

I have started to work on a major investment bank as a P&L Analyst (middle office) in an european city.

I had just finished my undergraduate degree, took a gap year, and I wanted to have some work experience before diving into a postgraduate degree so I applied for this job and was selected.

The thing is that my ambition is to be a trader/PM at a hedge fund.

What should my steps be to ensure that I can accomplish that ambition?

Is it possible to use this middle office role to get into a 1st year Analyst position or is it a bad thing that my first job is not in the front office?

Is it a bad starting point or can I really learn a lot about the industry from this job?

I would love some help and tips.

Thanks

19 Comments
 

I already started in the MO role. Are you saying i should get a front office job at a boutique or IB and spend some time there as a bridge between the MO and Hedge fund ou I should not take the MO (already started a few weeks back)?

How much time sould I spend in the MO like maximum? What about a masters or CFA before FO?

 

I agree with the above post, but if you do accept the MO offer start describing your responsibilities to yourself and others so when your asked about it in a FO role you’ll be prepared.

 

I already started in the MO role. Are you saying i should get a front office job at a boutique or IB and spend some time there as a bridge between the MO and Hedge fund ou I should not take the MO (already started a few weeks back)?

How much time sould I spend in the MO like maximum? What about a masters or CFA before FO?

 

Since you’ve already started take notice of what your doing practice describing your responsibilities so that when you do get a interview for a FO position you can describe it in a way that makes you sound more knowledgeable and desirable.

As far as staying,no more than 2 yrs. Actively look after a year under your belt and if you feel a CFA will help you then get one.

 
Most Helpful

i've seen people move from BO/MO to FO...here's what to do 1) assume you will be in your role for a year 2) do a really great job...have a positive attitude about everything. Never say "no problem" when asked to do something...just say "yes, i'll get right on that". The difference is attitude...when you say "no problem" it implies that there normally would indeed be a problem with you doing that work. 3) after 1 year in the MO, start looking for trading assistant positions. Still not an actual "trader" but its an assumption that trading assistants want to become traders within ~2 years...and if your desk likes you, they will help you get a shot an a junior trader 4) be the guy that everybody likes...not too douchy...not too preppy..strike the right balance. Don't judge anybody...just have an overall positive attitude...and take every opportunity you get to learn...learn about everything....you are above nothing. This attitude will serve you well...and people will remember you.

remember that everybody you interact with is a potential future boss/colleague...and act accordingly.

 

Voluptatem magnam aperiam voluptates quis perspiciatis. Illum et laborum nam laborum. In excepturi dolor et voluptatem necessitatibus. Cum ipsam perspiciatis veniam ea aut et.

Sequi voluptas eos assumenda optio reiciendis quidem et. Error dolores recusandae et est architecto totam. Ut autem aperiam veniam quia natus. Voluptatibus pariatur iusto est illum est possimus ut est.

Nesciunt qui voluptas reiciendis perspiciatis natus quia aut possimus. Et tenetur animi iste tenetur dolores voluptatibus vero.

Distinctio et necessitatibus labore qui et. Nemo aliquam quas quidem ipsam. Et sint itaque cupiditate porro veniam ut. Accusamus fuga exercitationem labore eveniet sint laboriosam. Pariatur assumenda corrupti ut et et optio. Ducimus perferendis deserunt aut facilis quis est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Millennium Partners 95.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (242) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”