Trading Assistant Excel Skills?

Just wondering what those of you who've had this type of position have needed the most when it comes to Excel. I have basic skills, but nothing more. However, I can teach myself things pretty quickly. Have made a few contacts in this area and have a few things potentially in the works and I just want to make sure I know what I need to in the event I get an interview out of one of them.

Thanks in advance.

15 Comments
 

excel skills won't be a make it or break it factor at all. I know a few of the top chicago shops have excel tests on-site for interviews, but again it really doesnt matter, as long as you are smart and good with numbers you will be fine. anyone can learn excel, and unlike in banking, they are tapping you for your intellectual ability, not your ability to write up pricing models and such (unless you're a quant, in which excel would be irrelevant anyway).

TL:DR dont wast time on excel or brain teasers, focus on probability and why you think you would be a good trader

 

Thanks for the advice.

I only ask because for one particular position I've got my name in for, they list it specifically as a highly desirable factor. But I'm definitely focusing on everything else you've listed. Probability especially.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 
OilBaron

Most places don't want to waste time teaching excel. Learning it will only help. Google is your friend.

I plan on it...just wanted to know what the best things to focus on given a limited period of time to brush up. Thanks for the input.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

I understand that, I'm just trying to make sure I am, that's all. Never was taught how to use it so I'm just kind of doing this on my own.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

I knew zero Excel coming into the jobs and now I can easily just use the keyboards and write complicated formulas and coding in VBA just by teaching myself on the job by googling and trial and error. Trust me the first time it was not easy but time would make it much easier. The more you do it on the job: building complicated Excel models, the more you get better at it.

 

Makes a lot of sense, that's the only real way to learn things I feel. I've never learned anything by forced memorization, only by doing it and realizing why it works. Working through a book right now to teach myself some things but I can tell already it won't stick until I have to use it every day.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

REGRESSION is THE most important tool in excel, especially for trading. Learn how to fit one properly using theory, not just finding the perfect fit line. I'm shocked at how many traders and bankers have no idea how to properly apply the most used and abused analytic tool out there

 

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"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."

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