Breaking into Commodity Trading
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I am a 30-year-old co-founder working as a technology consultant on the side. My business markets cotton with farmers in Central Asia. However, it suffered greatly during 2022's macroeconomic issues and has not recovered.
Thanks to my four years of experience in my startup, which opened my eyes to a passion for trading commodities, I am interested in breaking into a prominent company as a commodity trader. Although I have specialised in cotton during my last four years of running Farnico, I am also interested in learning about other commodities, particularly in the energy sector. I also have plenty of experience in managing people before this, as a project manager for four years in a multi-national B2C company, a Master's from the London School of Economics in Information Systems and a BBA majoring in Finance.
In my humble opinion, speaking five languages, having extensive experience in leadership and as an individual contributor, and having exposure to the trading world through Farnico will make me a very marketable candidate.
My goal is to find a suitable company with offices in either London or Switzerland that would appreciate my talents and where I could work for a long time to grow and learn the skills necessary to become a successful commodity trader.
I am lost at this point because every company I apply to has rejected me, and they all seem to want someone coming from a trading house so that they can "plug and play". I don't know where to start. Also, I am already 30, married, and with hopes of having kids soon - so I am not a graduate or an intern ready to work for minimum wage 80-120 hours a week - I have already done that, excelling as a project manager a corporate multinational in my 20's. I want to work smart and use my rich experience and people skills. In my career, I have dabbled in project management, technology, and agribusiness/trading cotton, so you can say I have varied experiences with no particular specialisation. The last four years have taught me that I want to specialise in commodity trading and have a long and successful career.
If you have any good advice, please let me know.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some detailed steps and advice to help you break into commodity trading:
1. Leverage Your Network
2. Target Entry-Level Roles Strategically
3. Highlight Relevant Experience
4. Focus on Specific Commodities
5. Consider Smaller Firms
6. Persistence and Adaptability
7. Seek Mentorship
By following these steps and leveraging your unique background, you can increase your chances of breaking into a prominent company as a commodity trader. Good luck!
Sources: Q&A: I'm an Agricultural Commodities Trader, Q&A: I'm an Agricultural Commodities Trader, Breaking into commodity trading, Physical Commodity Trading career: If you started over again., Relevant Background for Physical Commodities Trading
This is quite an untraditional approach but I did it the old fashioned way. I cold called companies until someone gave me a shot. Took 1000’s of calls and landed at a mid tier shop but was able to work my way up from there.
Thanks! Were you from a commodities background?
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