How to win a trading analyst role without any experience?

I am currently working in an Investor Relations role at a top tier PE firm, and want to break into S&T - more specifically trading. I have a very analytical background with an engineering degree from a great school and have passed my Series 7 & 63 as well as my level I CFA. Given my analytical background, I have a particular interest in trading derivatives or structured products. 

Without having any experience on the trade floor, what are my chances of landing myself an analyst interview in the current market and what can I do to bolster my current resume? Additionally, how can I best prepare for S&T interviews? 

 
Most Helpful

My man it isn't your resume that is keeping you from making the transition, it's the things you aren't doing.

Obligatory disclosure, have you considered trying to move laterally in your current role to the deal team, etc.? PE is a solid career, and is probably much more catered to your analytical expectations.  S&T is much more relationship based then everyone gives it credit for. For most of the traders I have worked with the analytical skills essentially run on auto pilot from the rote repetition of checking the same data all the time.  Having solid business relationships with counterparties you trust is much more important to the trading I do.  

I got into trading from specialty insurance and really the only way it happened was I applied to the same roles multiple times, and I networked my ass off.  Trading can be long and tedious at times so people want to work with others that they generally enjoy/get along with.  Network and ask people if you can take a day off and shadow them. You obviously have the analytical skills, but for these jobs so do thousands of others.  It all starts with somebody selling something; how well can you sell yourself?

 

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