Alternative ways of securing FT offer
Hi everyone,
This is my first post on WSO so please bare with me.
I am a fresh graduate of Copenhagen Business School, having just completed my masters in Finance and Investments (M.Sc. Finance and Investments). This means that I am currently in the process of applying for FT offers. While finishing my thesis I have already applied for several positions and currently one of these looks like it will result in an offer. Nonetheless, I am of course still applying and since traditional avenues (online applications) have not resulted in any significant amount of offers besides the one mentioned I have recently started sending cold emails to a variety of traders within financial firms (Goldman, Morgan Stanley, Berenberg, Commerzbank, etc.) in order to bypass the whole HR game. Ultimately I want to be a trader and starting out in a trading centered role would, of course, be a dream come true. I also have a significant amount of experience as I have traded my own funds for a while applying a variety of strategies.
I am wondering if there are any on WSO which have had any experience with alternative ways of applying. I recently read an article which described two young grads which applied by standing in Canary Wharf (London) with large signs on which they had written very brief versions of their resume. I know this is very alternative and even a bit odd, but nevertheless, I could see it being somewhat effective. Thus I am asking whether there is anyone who has tried this or has heard of anyone who has utilized this approach?
Any help would be appreciated.
The trading you do in your personal account is very different than the trading you’d do in a bank.
Instead of sending cold emails, you should try reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn. You’d probably have more success there
I would recommend staying away from gimmicky recruiting strategies
just do an internship first
The Canary Wharf guy lucked out and I wouldn't recommend this as a strategy. Also, within larger banks there is no way of getting around HR. Unless your contact is one of the top 5 of the bank, at most people can flag your CV where you go from being 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 3,000 but chances are you'll still have to do some online assessment and for sure will have to do interviews.
If you want to skip some stages apply to smaller shops around Europe and Scandinavia. I don't know where to find lists for trading firms but others on WSO will know for sure.
I'm sure you've tried this, but ask CBS's career service. I remember from my time there that they have some solid contacts or at least can start pointing you in the right direction.
Additionally, try pivoting from banks to other trading roles e.g. Shell, Glencore etc to widen your options.
Good luck.
Excepturi vel ducimus saepe quas accusantium. Voluptatem sapiente quasi voluptatem et eveniet est aperiam. Et eius sint ducimus exercitationem perspiciatis quo ut.
Doloribus consequatur et dolorem quo et optio. Quis porro id qui ea. Cum sit quia harum labore assumenda officia quidem. Fugiat veniam voluptas dolores maxime debitis illo nihil.
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...