How to best make use of my time as a trading analyst?
I joined a trading desk as a new analyst (2 year program) recently at a large BB. So the thing about my work is that it's very unstructured- there's no set jobs for me to do (i.e. if I want to do nothing and surf the Web all day, I could probably get away with it). Sometimes, traders ask me to do small projects for them in VBA, and I get sandwiches/coffee for my desk every day. But aside from that, there's really nothing much for me to do. When I first started out, I was constantly asking questions to the traders sitting around me, but I kind of got the sense that they were getting a bit annoyed with them. I really want to make a good impression with my desk, since after the two year analyst program is up, the decision regarding whether or not we'll be retained will lie solely with my trading desk. The idea is that after 2 years, you'll either be promoted to a trader or get fired. So I guess I have a couple of questions:
(1) How do I stand out a new analyst on a trading desk? (2) In down times, should I be studying relevant trading/fixed income education online? Or should I be shadowing traders on the desk? (3) What things/personality traits do traders typically not like in their new analysts (asking too many/few questions, being too quiet, being too buddy-buddy, etc)?
I guess I have a general feel for what I should be doing, but just looking for some additional feedback.
hey sorry this is a bit off topic, but how much programming do you need to know for your position? What are some of the VBA tasks that you get asked to do?
seconded.
Did you land that gig out of school?
It sounds like you're asking the wrong people.
Heavily dependent on the type of desk. Try reaching out to folks who have spent time there, or recently promoted associates to get their take. CC is right, not the right crowd here.
I'd say try to read every piece of research you can put your hands on so you can give some educated opinion about the markets when the chance arises. Do not talk a lot, talk smart. That is my 0,02.
What kind of desk? How long you been on this desk?
If you really need to ask these questions not sure what to say...You should be doing all that and much much more. Think of it like this you want to be a trader, what does the best Jr trader at your firm do and what makes him/her successful.
Traders like one kind of analysts ones they can trust their positions with (if you cant get food right you will never get near their books) and ones who will become traders later on, everyone else gets canned and is wasting their time.
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