Be a commodities trader

Originally Posted by Unregistered

those who r currently in the industry, is it usual to see internal transfers from other parts of the company to the trading dept? let's say i can't break into trading, would it be advisable if i start off in another dept (eg finance, marketing) of a trading house n try to network my way there?

I am currently working in one of the bigger European trading houses as a trader and I can tell you with assurance that the chances of switching to trading role are very slim. Sure, there will be a few success stories that switches over from ops or finance but these are very rare cases. Big firms usually just hire fresh grads or from other firms. If you start off in the back office, I am sorry to break your bubble bro.

Any other insights?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am currently working in one of the bigger European trading houses as a trader and I can tell you with assurance that the chances of switching to trading role are very slim. Sure, there will be a few success stories that switches over from ops or finance but these are very rare cases. Big firms usually just hire fresh grads or from other firms. If you start off in the back office, I am sorry to break your bubble bro.

Yup. I second this. Two main reasons. One, the nature of work is just very different. The skills in BO are not transferable to FO. Two, think from a manager's point of view. Would he rather hire within the company, from BO, and train from the ground up? Or would you rather hire from competitors FO who already have the skills and possibly an edge in markets he already developed in his organization? Definitely the latter.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Yup. I second this. Two main reasons. One, the nature of work is just very different. The skills in BO are not transferable to FO. Two, think from a manager's point of view. Would he rather hire within the company, from BO, and train from the ground up? Or would you rather hire from competitors FO who already have the skills and possibly an edge in markets he already developed in his organization? Definitely the latter.

Hi im the OP that posted that. What industry you in bro and how long have you been working as a trader?I just started less than 2 years so maybe you can give me some advice/preparation for what lies ahead

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi im the OP that posted that. What industry you in bro and how long have you been working as a trader?I just started less than 2 years so maybe you can give me some advice/preparation for what lies ahead

When you say you started, do you mean you started working as a trader 2 years ago? Because if so, you're all set and don't need advice for me.

As you're the OP of this thread "Be a commodities trader", then you made your first post on 10-05-2007. So if my math is correct, that is 9 years ago. Were you a student between 2007 and 2014? Please explain.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

When you say you started, do you mean you started working as a trader 2 years ago? Because if so, you're all set and don't need advice for me.

As you're the OP of this thread "Be a commodities trader", then you made your first post on 10-05-2007. So if my math is correct, that is 9 years ago. Were you a student between 2007 and 2014? Please explain.

Im the OP os the post you quoted. Not thread starter

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Im the OP os the post you quoted. Not thread starter

Oh. Thanks for clarifying. So you wanted advice given that you're in FO trading or that you want to break into FO trading? I give honest opinions from what I hear and read.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Oh. Thanks for clarifying. So you wanted advice given that you're in FO trading or that you want to break into FO trading? I give honest opinions from what I hear and read.

I'm currently an FO trader in agri. Was thinking about future career prospects, will I be able to land a better job in an investment bank

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm currently an FO trader in agri. Was thinking about future career prospects, will I be able to land a better job in an investment bank

Then I can't give you much advice. I know very little about the job of a trader in an investment bank. I would guess that if you are already a trader, the sky is the limit. Given your risk limits, you form your strategy and edge, and you make the cash. I know in the hedge fund space, the funds keeps 20% of the profits so my guess is that in another industry, like agri, you too keep a portion of your profits. You'll be educating me then.

What about the job you want to make better? Pay, prestige, branding, ownership of work, freedom of strategy, exploring other assets?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Then I can't give you much advice. I know very little about the job of a trader in an investment bank. I would guess that if you are already a trader, the sky is the limit. Given your risk limits, you form your strategy and edge, and you make the cash. I know in the hedge fund space, the funds keeps 20% of the profits so my guess is that in another industry, like agri, you too keep a portion of your profits. You'll be educating me then.

What about the job you want to make better? Pay, prestige, branding, ownership of work, freedom of strategy, exploring other assets?

Probably prestige of working in a BB IB?