London S&T SA 2025 Interviews

I am a second year at a semi target studying CS and have decided to switch my career goals from Tech to S&T. Last year I did springs at a couple of banks in Tech. Although I love coding, I realised I don’t want to be building databases and front ends for traders, I’d rather be on the other end of the software.

I have started preparation, I read Natenberg’s options book, completed Akuna Capital Options 101 and have some work experience shadowing on a trading desk. A-Level Econ that gave me an understanding of basic economics that I can usually use to understand some of the market moves mentioned in the FT and Reuters. This market awareness is something I’m trying to develop as I find it incredibly interesting and hopefully will be useful for interviews. I’m wondering how I should prepare for S&T Interviews. What sorts of questions should I expect?

I would appreciate any input on what I can do to prepare and any resources to look into.

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some detailed steps and resources to prepare for Sales & Trading (S&T) interviews:

Preparation Steps:

  1. Market Awareness:

    • Follow the Markets: Regularly read financial news from sources like FT, WSJ, and Bloomberg. Understand current market trends, major economic events, and their impacts.
    • Indices and Economic Indicators: Be familiar with key indices (e.g., S&P 500, Dow Jones) and economic indicators (e.g., GDP, unemployment rates).
  2. Technical Knowledge:

    • Options and Derivatives: Since you've read Natenberg's options book and completed Akuna Capital Options 101, ensure you understand the basics of options pricing, Greeks, and trading strategies.
    • Financial Products: Know the basics of various financial products like bonds, equities, and derivatives. Understand what factors affect their prices and how they are traded.
  3. Stock Pitches:

    • Long/Short Stock Pitch: Prepare at least one long and one short stock pitch. Be ready to discuss why you chose these stocks, your investment thesis, and potential risks.
    • Investment Scenarios: Be prepared to answer questions like "How would you invest $1 million today?" and justify your choices based on current market conditions.
  4. Behavioral Questions:

    • Personal Experience: Be ready to discuss your background, why you want to switch from Tech to S&T, and how your skills in coding and economics can be beneficial in trading.
    • Situational Questions: Prepare for questions about how you handle stress, make decisions under pressure, and work in a team environment.

Recommended Resources:

  1. Books:

    • "When Genius Failed"
    • "Fooled by Randomness"
    • "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator"
    • "Trading in the Zone"
    • "Market Wizards" series
  2. Practice:

    • Mock Interviews: Practice with friends or mentors who have experience in S&T.
    • Trading Simulations: Use trading simulators to get a feel for real-time trading and market reactions.
  3. Networking:

    • Informational Interviews: Reach out to professionals in the industry for informational interviews. This can provide insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and help you understand what interviewers are looking for.

Key Points to Remember:

  • Have Your Own Opinions: It's crucial to develop your own market views and opinions rather than just repeating what you read. Interviewers look for candidates who can think independently and justify their perspectives.
  • Stay Updated: Continuously update your knowledge about the markets, as this will be a significant part of your interview discussions.

By following these steps and utilizing the recommended resources, you should be well-prepared for your S&T interviews. Good luck!

Sources: [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, Conversation with an Equities Sales Trader, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/asset-management/sales-trading-interview-guide-gekkos-guidance-part-2?customgpt=1

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Veritatis in ut nulla pariatur eum ducimus deleniti. Et voluptas dolor temporibus rerum quis. Delectus quis aperiam officiis a odit ut perferendis. Fugiat natus saepe minima in repellendus. Sequi dicta est debitis maiores nihil iure fugiat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”