Breaking into large HF from BB trading analyst role

Hi everyone,

There seems to be ample information regarding the process behind moving from BB IBD to PE megafunds on this forum, but a dearth of it with respect to the process behind moving to a large HF (Soros, Pequot, Caxton) in a junior PM/junior trader role, from a BB S&T analyst program.

Does anybody have information on how this works? Connections? Headhunters?

 

It works the following way, you prove yourself by making millions for the bank and HF will take you gladly. Otherwise, maybe good opportunistic networking can help.

Do what you want not what you can!
 
Best Response

Because those firms you mentioned usually recruit macro traders at the senior level (VP/MD/Global Head level), not analysts. Unlike moving from a BB to a HF in a valuation based role, for a PM type role, you need a track record, and you don't get there unless you've survived on the sell side for a long time and gained a strong reputation.

e.g. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/stan-sokolowski/7/18a/427 http://www.linkedin.com/pub/francesco-cafagna/8/724/720 http://www.linkedin.com/pub/won-choi/14/14a/39a http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=46018577

 

[quote=Awon Eleyi Awon Eleyi Won Bad Gan]Because those firms you mentioned usually recruit macro traders at the senior level (VP/MD/Global Head level), not analysts. Unlike moving from a BB to a HF in a valuation based role, for a PM type role, you need a track record, and you don't get there unless you've survived on the sell side for a long time and gained a strong reputation.

e.g. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/stan-sokolowski/7/18a/427 http://www.linkedin.com/pub/francesco-cafagna/8/724/720 http://www.linkedin.com/pub/won-choi/14/14a/39a http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=46018577[/quote]

Ok, that's helpful information. So where would you say there opportunities for junior PMs etc? My impression was that some places like to take you early (ie after analyst stint) so that they can teach you how to be 'their type' of investors

 
MJP338][quote=Awon Eleyi Awon Eleyi Won Bad Gan]Because those firms you mentioned usually recruit macro traders at the senior level (VP/MD/Global Head level), not analysts. Unlike moving from a <span class=keyword_link><a href=//www.wallstreetoasis.com/finance-dictionary/what-is-the-bulge-bracket-BB>BB</a></span> to a <span class=keyword_link><a href=//www.wallstreetoasis.com/finance-dictionary/what-is-a-hedge-fund-HF>HF</a></span> in a valuation based role, for a PM type role, you need a track record, and you don't get there unless you've survived on the sell side for a long time and gained a strong reputation.</p> <p>e.g. <a href=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/stan-sokolowski/7/18a/427 rel=nofollow>http://www.linkedin.com/pub/stan-sokolowski/7/18a/427</a> <a href=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/francesco-cafagna/8/724/720 rel=nofollow>http://www.linkedin.com/pub/francesco-cafagna/8/724/720</a> <a href=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/won-choi/14/14a/39a rel=nofollow>http://www.linkedin.com/pub/won-choi/14/14a/39a</a> <a href=http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=46018577[/quote rel=nofollow>http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=46018577[/quote</a>:

Ok, that's helpful information. So where would you say there opportunities for junior PMs etc? My impression was that some places like to take you early (ie after analyst stint) so that they can teach you how to be 'their type' of investors

Not aware of any large respectable funds that do that. I think you're getting mixed up between the typical career track of people in distressed/long short/merger arb funds (valuation based. Usually worked in IBD, ER, or a valuation based prop desk/group at a BB), to those in macro funds (experience, market knowledge and expertise based. Usually worked in FX/EM/Commods/Rates on the sell side, or in a related prop desk/group at a BB). At the former, people can make the jump over after analyst stints. At the later, people usually need a much more established track record before making the jump.
 

How does the promotions work? Like in IB it is usually 2/3 years analyst then promotion to associate then another 3 years then VP.

Is it like that too in S&T or is it based more on merit (ex. you earn a certain amount for the firm then you get promoted etc.)

 

There is no such job as junior PM in most cases. These funds have investors who expect their money to be invested by people who have proven track records and serious experience...its not a training ground where they give 26 year old kids capital and tell them to "get after it". At the PM level these places hire "finished products" not "works in progress".

Its not unheard of for PMs to work their way up within a firm from other jobs but its much much more common for PMs to be hired with resumes such as above.

 
Bondarb:
There is no such job as junior PM in most cases. These funds have investors who expect their money to be invested by people who have proven track records and serious experience...its not a training ground where they give 26 year old kids capital and tell them to "get after it". At the PM level these places hire "finished products" not "works in progress".

Its not unheard of for PMs to work their way up within a firm from other jobs but its much much more common for PMs to be hired with resumes such as above.

Thanks for the post. What do you mean by "work their way up within a firm"? Which 'other jobs'?

 

you should ask your ex-boss what opportunities for advancement the role entails... in a nice way. if you're supposed to be his right arm and learn as much as possible in the seat, cover for him, run PnL, etc. then you're not departing the junior trading role as much.... if you're doing nothing more than paperwork, then it's not worth it.

you can learn a lot at your bank, but moving to a strong hf is an incredible opportunity -- particularly if your boss was somewhat of a mentor to you.... nice to go private with the pendulum toward so much comp regulation too.

who is john galt?
 

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