How to prepare/break into S&T?

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some clear steps and recommendations to prepare for a career in Sales and Trading (S&T):

Reading and Knowledge Expansion

1. Books to Read:

   • "When Genius Failed"
   • "Fooled by Randomness"
   • "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator"
   • "Trading in the Zone"
   • "Market Wizards" (all volumes)

2. News Sources:

   • Daily Reading:
     • The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)
     • Financial Times (FT)
     • Bloomberg
   • Additional Resources:
     • AFR (Australian Financial Review)
     • Reuters
     • Macrobusiness.com.au

Practical Steps

1. Trading Practice:

   • Start trading on a simulated platform to get a feel for the markets.
   • Focus on the specific areas you're interested in, such as AG and Softs, FX, or Rates.

2. Networking:

   • Cold call and network with professionals in the industry.
   • Attend industry events and try to get coffee chats with people working in S&T.

3. Educational Path:

   • Consider pursuing a master's in financial engineering or a similar program to gain advanced skills.
   • Learn advanced Python, Excel VBA, and SQL to enhance your technical skills.

Interview Preparation

1. Market Knowledge:

   • Stay updated with the latest market trends and news.
   • Be prepared to discuss how you would invest a significant amount of money (e.g., $1 million) and have a long/short stock pitch ready.

2. Mock Interviews:

   • Practice with mock interviews focusing on both technical and behavioral questions.
   • Use resources like WSO's mock interviews with professionals to get feedback.

Additional Tips

• Emerging Markets:
  • Target emerging markets desks, such as Latam desks, which often look for multilingual candidates with finance skills.
• Quantitative Skills:
  • If you have a high quant background, consider roles in quant IT and then network your way onto a trading desk.

By following these steps and focusing on continuous learning and networking, you can effectively prepare for a career in Sales and Trading.

Sources: How to break into S&T as a graduate?, [HELP REQUEST] How to prepare for the markets for S&T Interview?, Navigating The Floor: A S&T Analyst's Guide, Sales and Trading - A Comprehensive Guide, Technical Skills to Prep for SA S&T