I know most (not all) HF jobs are solitary in nature and you spend many hours a day analyzing/reading/etc on your own, with the occasional conversation with a colleague or the weekly team meeting. But by and large, the job is less social or interactive than other finance jobs.
For those of us who like investing but at the same time want to get our necessary dose of interaction and social engagement every day through our jobs (since are probably working till 7-8pm and likely won't have the time/energy to go out and socialize with friends after work), what tactics or ideas have you potentially used to make things work?
I'd like to hear it too, it's particularly solitary right now when it's remote too.
Probably only applicable at the analyst level. I like to do a lot of calls (not annoying incoming calls from sales guys). Gives me a chance to speak to someone versus grinding through written research all the time. It’s also more active and I’m less likely to be unproductively staring at shit for awhile. Now that conferences and lunches are coming back, there’s that too. Other than that, there’s the usual cliché stuff people say about maintaining your network with other investors over coffees. It’s a lonely job on average though.
Thanks, I like the idea of calls. Can you specify more on what kind of people you speak to, and how you connect with them if you have no prior relationship? I find speaking to sell-side or IR annoying, but is it normalized in the industry to speak very regularly (a couple times a week with folks at other funds) about ideas or whatever? Or if say you want to learn about a new industry and wants to speak live to some people in the industry, how do you make them want to talk to you if it's not through an expert network?
Trick I learned when I was on the sell side that is fun and useful to your career. Just call people.
Haven't talked to the IR of a certain company in a while? Give him a call. Ask him what he thinks of acquisition XYZ. Call a random sell sider. Get their thoughts on something. Shoot the breeze. Schedule a lunch with someone who works in the industry. Pick their brain on topics, make friends also, and have fun.
I understand. I have a daily meeting with my PM talking about the market and our portfolio. Couple of online panels from the sell-side as well and I can ask questions if I want to. Also have calls with the sell side analysts from time to time. But personally I don't mind enjoying that solitude. It gives me time and space to keep my ideas roasted.
Thanks for sharing. May I ask, do you lean introvert?
I think so. Also I majored in philosophy back in college so I guess it is kind of natural to me.
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