How to Show your trading smarts as a BB SA

I was just wondering, thru you guys experience S&T SA positions, do you ever really get a chance to show your trading skills or intelligence. I've heard all you do is get coffee and watch traders trade. But is there ever a opportunity to show your MD or other analysts that you would actually be a good trader?

The only thing I've though of is asking a good question here and there in the morning meetings. Other than that, how do I show that I deserve a FT offer?

7 Comments
 

be proactive and try to develop ideas - dont just sit there and expect to be told what to do. however, if you are told something to do, even if it is getting coffee, do it with a good attitude and don't fuck it up.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack Buyside strongside
 

Don't fuck up food orders. On a serious note, ask one of the traders on the desk to let you run a mock trading portfolio in whatever product he/she trades, take it serious and make sure all of your trades are justified.

The Macro View http://themacroview.wordpress.com
 

A mock portfolio? That sounds interesting. Im on an equities desk though, does this replicate order flow that real traders have to deal with or would it just be another stock market simulation.

 

Come up with trading ideas, then bring them to the traders attention. But make sure they are very, very good ideas... not a problem if you do in fact have the intelligence/skill to be a trader. Don't waste their time, and don't bother them with stupid questions. Bottom line: if you actually help them make money (with good risk-reward trade ideas, not creating BS excel sheets), they will find a place for you.

 
Best Response
tgtraderCome up with trading ideas, then bring them to the traders attention. But make sure they are very, very good ideas... not a problem if you do in fact have the intelligence/skill to be a trader. Don't waste their time, and don't bother them with stupid questions. Bottom line: if you actually help them make money (with good risk-reward trade ideas, not creating BS excel sheets), they will find a place for you.

Great advice, I did the same over the summer and trader loved it. He really liked my idea and put the trade on, made him some money. It's pretty exciting if you can get that done.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

Vel dolorum consequuntur autem velit dignissimos assumenda voluptatum est. Nihil placeat qui dicta rerum.

Odio at et qui excepturi atque minus possimus. Aut consequatur totam et mollitia qui modi fuga omnis. Consectetur reiciendis tempore consectetur id nam.

Pariatur perspiciatis esse ut magni nisi amet. Tempora impedit sunt sit laborum. Aut quo qui harum architecto expedita. Neque eum architecto possimus.

Porro esse adipisci omnis et eum. Aspernatur accusantium et nostrum omnis. Voluptates alias sequi modi quasi mollitia. Veritatis deleniti facere ea aut voluptatem dolores. Eligendi doloremque dolorem delectus laborum molestiae. Ducimus et quam corrupti non illo nihil dignissimos.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”