How to network with traders?
How do you network with traders, specifically ones at smaller prop trading firms? Are there like trading symposiums that you can go to? And what about for firms that don't recruit on your college campus? Is it just cold emails/cold calls, like it is with IB, or is there another element to it?
Also somewhat unrelated, but is it worthwhile to get into simulated stock trading? Just those little online simulators, no real money.
Try going to ST conventions and job fairs. Cold calling works as well, but you have to know the right times to call because you could get docked or hung up on if you call when they are busy.
Simulators are stupid and a waste of time as they are unlike the real trading experience and they build shitty habits, instead read books on what you would like to trade in the future (derivatives, fixed income, options, vanilla equities, etc.) and consider putting a small amount of real money into the market to trade off of just to get some practice and a feel for the markets. Make sure you put in only what you're willing to lose, because odds are you will lose most/all of it when you first start trading short term.
I second this.
Networking To Prop Trading Firms? (Originally Posted: 12/25/2012)
what is the best way to network to a prop trading firm?
Good question, I wish someone with more inside in the industry would answer.
Where do traders network? (Originally Posted: 11/16/2010)
Hi everyone.
I'm trying to take a survey of where traders network. So far I got here, facebook, linkedin, alumni networking, and Ceres at the CBOT. I'm trying to find any other social or online venue where I can get my resume out there and seen by the people that need to see it. Any help or suggestions would be great!
As always, the illustrious Monkeysama
If you have the cash, hit up an MTA event. They all have huge boners for Technical Analysis but you can generate some decent networking opportunities
Bars and strip clubs.
Yeah....don't really want to hang out at bars and strip clubs. The MTA thing might be cool.
Cheaper to go to bars though...by a long shot. MrFuture and I were just talking about this actually. The MTA event in NYC is 600 bucks if you aren't affiliated or already a member. Think long and hard about not wanting to have a few beers. Better yet, have a few bottles and get some enjoyment out of that 600 bones.
STA is far more popular than MTA.
Gotta plug it where I can man...I'm gonna make that CMT worth something even if it kills me
The Regional MTA seminars are free and a great networking opportunity. I met quite a few people at the ohio meeting. I'm heading to the charlotte and boston ones in 2011.
free membership for students also makes it nice
double post my bad
What about Company presentations on campus?
I'm not in school at the moment. Here's a (very slightly outdated) resume:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6lf…
How to not sound dumb when networking with prop traders? (Originally Posted: 09/01/2015)
Junior from non-target looking for internship. I'm networking with traders in prop shops and sending emails left and right. I'm due to talk with an algo trader tomorrow and want to know what to talk about so as to not sound dumb. kinda new to these things as well
The answer is actually kind of the opposite of what you're thinking based on what you're saying.
Less is more. As a trader, the one thing I can tell you that annoys me the most is having a discussion with someone who is forcing it. This guy doesn't expect you to know how to write mathematical models, develop a fully integrated algorithmic trading system, etc. so don't pretend like you know how to do any part of his job.
Ask him about his career. Where and how did he start. What would he do differently if he could go back. What would he do in your position. How can you best position yourself for an internship. Etc. Best of luck.
Ah, that's interesting. I have a basic math finance course done so would it be appropriate to talk about that as well?
Also based on your username are you an oil/natural gas trader? I'm interested in Vitol/Glencore/Trafigura -- can I PM you for more questions in that field?
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/prop-trading-interview-guide
asking a trader out for dinner / drinks for networking (Originally Posted: 12/13/2009)
So someone has helped you a lot and you invite them out for coffee/lunch. Since they trade they do not go out for lunch. Also, they aren't the coffee / breakfast type. They ask you out to dinner or drinks with their buddies but last minute business dinner / meeting came up. Would it be too forward of me to ask him out next time I'm in town?
Something along the lines of "too bad we couldn't do dinner/drinks/etc last time, I'll be in town for X, if you are available would love to get together"???
I don't want to be really forward and give the wrong impression since I am a female.
Also, if you are going out for dinner / drinks what should you wear? I like to get dressed up (cocktail dress for drinks, nice dress for dinner...) but since this is kind of business I don't want to be too personal or make it seem like a date.
boyfriend drop during dinner... guaranteed to kill the dating mood
Umm what exactly are you looking for from this guy (i.e. help with recruiting, general advice? --boys lay off the immature jokes please) / which year are you in?
And.. are you planning to take them out? I don't think a male trader will let you actually "take him out," since you're still in school and/or you're a female... (I'm female too.. I really tried to get the bill a couple times ..)
Re: "I don't want to be too personal or make it seem like a date" ..........................I don't know cocktail dress seems like a pretty big come-on
Just search Mis Ind, she has the correct answers.
I am interested in him being a mentor type of figure... I want to work at his firm, but if that doesn't work out would like a big brother type to help me as I try to get into banking in general.
I'm a junior but since he doesn't go out for coffee/breakfast, I'm not really sure what other venues I can go to besides dinner or drinks.
I would think you have some interest if you tell me you would "love" to go to "dinner etc" with me.
Ok, how should I exactly word it then?
if you drop that you have a boyfriend at some point then he'll understand what the meeting is for
Just say it would be great if the two of you could grab a quick bite together.
I would contact him through his assistant, that way it kills any thoughts other than business. Try to get a dinner business meeting date, be straight forward. Tell him you are looking for some advice and would like to discuss it over scotch. shoot you are a girl... ok a martini....
As far as dressing up.... business attire (obvious)!!!!!! Business meeting= business suit...cocktail dress= somebody getting some. having said that.
Ask him whatever you want, compliment him on his success (that gets the big dogs to spill some industry secrets), be professional, think twice before saying something stupid and ask a lot of questions, if you want to work with him someday and actually land an offer you always want him looking back and remembering how professional and business oriented you were.
If he cancels on you last minute do not think he doesn't want to waste time with you. keep trying to reschedule. Perseverance pays off.
It took me 6 months to land a dinner with an MD at a BB after rescheduling about 7 times and he is a good friend of the family.
And please don't drop the "too bad we couldn't do drinks and dinner.....blah blah its that would just sound stupid to him put yourself on his level and think of something professional to say.
Remember you want to make an impression!
if you're a junior.. are you 21 yet? (I'm not doubting you-- but just in case you're not, asking for drinks is a very bad idea)
i'm not sure how helpful (i'm sure it will be helpful to an extent) it is to get you into banking if you're asking out a trader. very different roles, and bankers tend to have friends in banking, traders tend to have s&t people as contacts.. if you can informally network with someone in banking instead, that may be more helpful.
so, LadyEva, what ended up happening?
hey - sorry I didn't know there were so many replies to this thread. But some weird stuff happened after wards which I probably should not say in an open forum.
I met a MD in trading in superday. He looks hot so i asked him out in the night. He's really happy with it so i called him in the night. He said yes first then called me back saying he cannot come. Because im a student and he found it not appropriate. Lol, that was a FAIL.
Ohhh. Superday. So what ended up happening with the offer?
Oh amande, you make this forum just that much more entertaining ;)
(The rest of you can explain why it still isn't okay to "don't care much" if you're married, even if you're a trader.)
...i love the fowardness amande! I am really surprised he didnt go out with u. How old was he...must have been married, right?
lol. I asked him out becos 1 he's australian 2,he's a trader. he does hv the most stereotypical trader's personality.lol, u know what im saying... i think he's around 35, but he's really big/fit and i found him attractive. when i first asked him, he seemed to be really happy, and he was like..that will be really good...lol.
maybe if the two of you keep it a secret it would work out. he probably doesn't want his coworkers or friends to know that he's dating someone 10+ years junior, but I guess it's too late.
but i think for traders, you usually dont care as much. thats why they are super attractive.lol.
^^^so you liked his accent?
it was exotic
i would just keep it light and off the subject of you. i have been a mentor to a few girls and nothing happen.
Maybe he noticed you say "unproper" a lot.
Blanditiis sint praesentium expedita aut et qui illo. Totam reprehenderit sit rerum. Est id saepe tempore fuga rerum dicta iste. Alias et ut non est. Consequatur adipisci pariatur non cum minima. Rerum repellendus id natus et aspernatur rerum dolores.
Perferendis nihil animi voluptas nostrum occaecati minus dolore dicta. Et optio unde qui quia tenetur ex reiciendis. Unde consectetur sunt voluptatem hic tempore eveniet et. Quia perspiciatis placeat minima magni est architecto amet. Consequatur ex aut officia molestias quo fugit.
Maxime est iure nobis ipsa molestiae. Debitis voluptatem quisquam aut praesentium autem ut sed. Explicabo quo pariatur sed magni eligendi non labore. Harum voluptatem aut ipsa maiores aperiam ipsum.
Et velit dolor laboriosam modi. Similique animi vel ut quod omnis minus molestias. Porro beatae vel at et eveniet officia numquam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Possimus odit dolore culpa adipisci fuga. Ipsa perspiciatis ut est occaecati nemo deserunt debitis. Dolores reiciendis non inventore. Nam mollitia dignissimos dolores laboriosam et voluptatum exercitationem. Itaque aperiam ea quo rem culpa earum adipisci et.
Qui incidunt beatae aut porro omnis. Rerum autem quas unde provident aut excepturi. Voluptatem non qui iure et et recusandae esse. Molestiae eveniet dolor esse aperiam repellendus.
Et temporibus quidem qui neque doloremque. Et omnis magnam rerum quia quis aut est. Qui libero maiores sed dolorem expedita. Vitae aliquam occaecati deserunt soluta deserunt.
Corrupti voluptatem alias at voluptatum nam. A totam ipsum blanditiis qui. Beatae eaque tempora rerum esse molestias et id expedita. Voluptatem veniam vel labore et. Aliquid fugit quo eaque laudantium enim quia repudiandae.
Dolorem qui qui amet qui dolorum sit nihil. Repellat rem molestiae similique expedita quis. Repellat velit repellendus omnis sint fugit. Aut magnam porro quia veritatis assumenda. Hic suscipit nisi tenetur nam illo magni consequatur. Molestias provident tenetur et eos. Esse nesciunt explicabo cum voluptates deleniti autem aut consequatur.