I was having a discussion with a friend who is starting out in internal/ops at a BB. I figured that role was considered BO but in their eyes it was the first step before moving into FO internally. Their logic, better to get in the door than not at all. Is it common/easy to switch from BO to FO, I've always heard that its very difficult if not impossible
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Gotta love advice about breaking out of the BO to the FO from someone who's never worked in either and is a sophomore in college
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If u use languages like bo fo, u are likely an opportunist. Hungry for prestge and money, not even knowing the different skill set and work at different fo functions, just want the so called fo bullshit.
Wont get u anywhere.
What are you talking about? emoney said the position is internal/ops, and that it's a role his friend took and wants to break into FO. It's pretty common to use these terms, and it's generally understood that they require different skill sets because why would they want to break into FO if it was gonna be the same work?
My perspective is from an Asset Management Side, not Ibanking.
It is not impossible. I work in Middle Office at an Asset Manager and I see plenty of individuals make a transition into Front Office. They are more likely to go into Investment Grade rather than Equity/High Yield or Structured Assets.
Network, show interest, work towards the FO skill set (CFA), and when an opportunity opens up give it a shot and leverage your network.
I have yet to see BO individuals move into our Private Deal Teams, as they actually have a larger learning curve and the due diligence actually requires a few years of IBanking experience.
sadfas
Why does everyone believe that Back Office is full of Front Office want-a-bes?
Back Office is primarily Accounting/IT/Compliance - primary function of back office is Public Reporting... There is also a thing called work/life balance which is far better in back office. Yes, the work is more so data involved, rather than due diligence/analysis...
But this does not mean that everyone is BO wants to walk into FO....
You're right about that part. Its definitely a mix of people who want more of a work/life balance and those who want to make the jump up to a FO position. However, my impression when I was in BO before I made the jump was that the junior staff primarily did everything they could to make the jump while senior staff were happy doing what they were doing.
Everyone has different preferences but I think the main point is that most juniors aren't complacent with sticking to non-stimulating and lower paying work while their counterparts aren't, even if the hours still suck. Most young people don't have a family or other responsibilities to take care of so the latter doesn't even matter as much.
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