Trading Desk Operations at Jane Street
Considering an offer for this role from JS and looking for more info. I somehow made it through the entire interview process and still don't really understand what the position entails.
Looking for any sort of information -- what the job looks like day-to-day, the skillset I'd pick up, etc.
Don't really care about prestige. The starting pay seems to be higher than any other likely offer (I've mostly interviewed at management/economic consulting companies) but I'm concerned about growth potential and exit ops given that it's not a trading role. Anyone have advice or experience to share?
Jane St is a good firm...and once inside, you'll see lots of things...and you'll be able to apply for a lateral to a real trading seat if you would be a good fit for the role.
also, after being at JaneSt, you can always lateral to consulting firms. Seems like a great offer if you don't have something better.
About going lateral -- At the beginning of one of the intro calls earlier in the process, the HR person went on this unprompted minute-long spiel about how the TDO team is its own thing and that I shouldn't go into it thinking that it's a prelude to becoming a trader. Might be overthinking it idk, but it kinda rubbed me the wrong way, like they were trying to preemptively deflate expectations of going to a different role.
That seems quite rude of them tbh
probably means that lots of their people do indeed leave to become traders...soooo.....
Yeah generally speaking I think it’s a good role if you want to learn about the business but don’t think you’ll get a seat at JS by any means. Not impossible to lateral up and out to another firm or buy side though especially if you want to be in markets.
This is all really vague though. Depends what group you’d be supporting. I don’t know JS internal structure for ops or even what they trade products wise the best in their class. Top down though if it’s interesting to you and your young there’s plenty of room to grow in NYC.
They have a sales trader assistant role out right now too I think. Any idea if you can get looked at for that?
It's all very vague to me too haha that's why I'm asking. Thanks for the advice though, I'll inquire about that role.
You will absolutely not become a trader at JS in a million years if you are a TDO at Jane Street. Do NOT go with that expectation. As a TDO, you should go because you are exposed to traders that are smart and you'll get paid more than you might elsewhere. The actual technology at JS is less impressive than you'd think. If you have an offer at an MBB consulting firm that is hands down the better option. Similarly, if you have an offer at FANG or an actual trading role that is also obviously better. The downside is that, yes, it is depressing to know you'll always make 1/10th to 1/100th of the person next to you. It's a fairly arrogant culture, but honestly fairly humble given how smart they actually are; you have to be ok with knowing that some people there will not really respect you intellectually. People at other firms know what the TDO role is and so it doesn't naturally exit into an actual trading role. (There are desk devs at other firms too and so other firms will quickly be able to identify that you weren't an actual trader.) You have to be the type of person that it genuinely ok with staying in this role essentially forever because it is the best role for YOU.
I don't have any MBB offers but I do have a few second tier offers as well as offers from some economic consulting firms. Which route should I go for?
Would take those any day over an ops role.
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