Science career switching to HF help
Hi everyone, need help for a dramatic career change- I’ve obtained a quantitative degree in a target/semi targeted uni(not sure where the boundary lies) from London, jump straight into a PhD of a niche field, where the uni is probably none target but the best in my current expertise. After 1.5 years I realised I made a terrible mistake underestimating the bureaucracy, politics I am and will be dealing, with very little income as a researcher that can’t even afford to feed myself nonetheless start a family etc.. I’ve only had summer scientific research experience during my undergrad and a brief engineering+research job before my PhD to fill the time and have some fun. Which from what I read on WSO doesn’t put me in any advantage applying for a job.
The main motivation for me to switch to a finance career is this is one of the thing I actively followed as a hobby (ie. Read newspapers, books and journals, follow policies updates), and the ignition is when I finished a book about a (failed) HF and realise this is the first time for a long time I’ve finished a book in one sitting. I found the strategies, calculations and human reaction fascinating.
So I’ve been applying to jobs since- for around 3 weeks. Around 10, haven’t applied to half of the big name HF and market makers since I’ve got nothing back from the previous few. I figured there’s something wrong with my CV if I’m getting no replies at all. So here are my questions:
1 What are the chances I get straight into a buy side job? (As a trader or analyst) 2 What are the companies that care less about a background in finance? (Where shall I start) 3 What do they want to see in a CV? What are the candidates they are looking for, for a graduate opening? 4 How much coding skills do I need to have? (I’ve previously done python and C++ projects in uni but a bit rusty now) 5 As in insider, what kind of personality would fit into this specific workspace? 6 What is your biggest dissatisfaction of your current work? Or what’s the main reason you see other people quit? 7 What else shall I do or read to prepare?
Hard to imagine any HF will hire you. You should work on the Sellside first. Also you should decide what strategy you find most interesting and fit your skills. Quant different from discretionary rates diff from L/S, etc.
I'd recommend you expand on your goals and your experience, you haven't given your audience enough information to provide much substantive advice.
What is your precise area of focus?
What type of HF are you considering?
What type of investing are you interested in?
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