How to get a back office job?

Question

I know the back office is absolutely hated on this forum but maybe someone can help.

When I go onto LinkedIn and search for operations/compliance jobs, they all require previous work experience for the analyst level. So my question is, how does one get a back office job straight out of undergrad (from a non-target)? They seem way more selective than everyone makes it seem.

Any help is appreciated. Also, sorry for posting in the IBD forum, just seemed like a good resource since many people on WSO are currently working in back office jobs.

trailmix8 · Accepted Answer

808Honesty might be the best policy. You want to have this position because you want to be in banking. If they press you about why specifically you want this BO position, say your goal is to build a career in banking, and that you'll work your butt off in this position just for the opportunity to be in the industry. Telling them that this is a great opportunity is completely true - you wouldn't be wanting this position if it wasn't the greatest opportunity you have at the moment.

Good luck turning this into something better. Learn what you can from where you are.

stupidmoney411 · Answer

designrothymanOnce you work FO, I don't think you every really go back to working below that (unless you're nuts).
Funnily enough, I know someone who did exactly this.  He was a junior trader at a hedge fund, then worked in prime brokerage at a BB, then ended up at another BB working in OTC clearing.  Not sure exactly what happened, but there must've been some extenuating circumstances...

Maybe he didn't know the kind of stress/hours he was getting himself into in the FO. BO definitely offers a better lifestyle/work balance if you can stomach telling people you work back office.

stupidmoney411 · Answer

I'd say it's a litle more difficult than usual to get any job @ a BB right now.  A lot of BBs are going the contractor route for BO jobs (aka hiring workers on 3-6 months temp to perm contracts with no benefits and hourly pay).  It's less risk on their part in a time when they don't know where the markets are exactly heading.

You talk about trade settlements as if it is a major part of BO jobs @ BBs, while actually it is only a small part of the BO/MO.  There are a plethora of compliance, paper pushers, and adminstrative related jobs that all fall into BO.

stupidmoney411 · Answer

trailmix8I would say that it is extremely hard. I get a 5k bonus for anyone that I suggest who gets hired FT at the analyst or associate level. In 2011 I have suggested 7 people for MO/BO roles, only one person was selected to interview and did not get a job.

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How to get a back office job?

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How to get a back office job?

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