Originally Posted by Unregistered

hey guys, let me share some insights.. im current a trader with one of the major. here are some facts to pop ur bubbles or hopefully shed some light.

physical trader vs paper trader, who earns more? Normally paper traders.
Big commd coy like paper traders with solid physical exp. Why? because you understand the market, what makes it move and be able to put a position which is more fundamentally sound. i.e. not going to gamble with coy monies.

ways to become a trader? there are many.
1) join the grad program/ trader program = have higher chance, training and exam not easy to clear, so its not a sure thing too.
2) from ops/ other roles become trader = very hard, because everyone is gunning for those role. what makes the global manager pick an ops over a trader trainee? quite clear right. not impossible, but very very hard. more likely to happen in a small shop but then again jumping from a small shop to a big shop - not easy as well.

Pay wise
trainee = 5k- 6k/mth (bonus depends on your team and PnL, maybe 6mths? or more)
jr trader = 7-8.5k/mth (bonus depends on ur PnL, can be more can be less)
trader = 9-12k/mth
trading manager = 12-15k/mth
goes higher as we go and so do the bonus.

BUT guys, please dont think its easy money.... working hours are mad.... you prolly start late like 930ish but you end like 930ish... if you do the paper markets prolly till midnight?

depends on what you want in life. all i can say is trader life isnt for everyone.