jump from back office to front office

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Strictly speaking, there isn't a "mid office" category. You're either FO or not FO (i.e. BO). From what I understand, movement between BO functions is not uncommon, although risk and compliance require more specialised knowledge which I doubt you will accumulate doing other BO work.

Taking a BO job = accumulating BO experience, which makes you naturally better suited for BO roles. It's not about getting stuck, it's about the experience you are accumulating. If anything, having BO experience on your CV is worse than having no banking experience on your CV.

so it seems then the only way to get into FO is through graduate program and internship which means limited number of spaces. so basically if u failed to get into the grad program you can forget about getting into FO. That what ur saying?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

so it seems then the only way to get into FO is through graduate program and internship which means limited number of spaces. so basically if u failed to get into the grad program you can forget about getting into FO. That what ur saying?

More or less so. I always wondered why people think they can just mid way parachute into FO. So easy can just ask online for tips why people bother to study hard, do internship, network and gain relevant exp.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

More or less so. I always wondered why people think they can just mid way parachute into FO. So easy can just ask online for tips why people bother to study hard, do internship, network and gain relevant exp.

hi could you please advise then on the more high paying BO job scopes or rather what BO jobs to avoid?

Hello everyone don't mean to interrupt this thread but how much should a local uni second class honours get for a contract job at Ubs? I currently have an offer for 6month contract in settlements at 2.7k. I this the market norm or should I neogitate for more. Thank you

When I look at some of the information shared with regards to IB, im wondering if these people are really working in IB or merely just some WSO loyal reader with no practical IB experience.

To those whom are looking for IB roles, please do not be disillusioned by all that big money talk. IB in Singapore is very different from Hong Kong and Wall Street. Alot of IB guys in Singapore ultimately move on to Corporate Banking roles.

If you are in a BO role and wish to move into IB, personality screams louder than anything. If you are able to carry yourself well and know how to work that charisma, you will be able to get the right people to give you what you want. At the end of the day, how you speak and present eloquently at a roadshow is more important than anything else. You need to be persuasive and confident in your approach especially when you are facing a dozen other senior bank representatives and C-level executives whom are listening in.

If you are already working in an FO support role, im sure you will see that all the talk about rude, arrogant and snobbish Ibankers are just a minority in the industry - just like any other industries. Majority of the guys are open to sharing and chatting with you. You just need to know how to approach them.

Remember one thing: when you get into IB, personality is the one and only thing that will get you ahead. You can suck at modelling and DCF analysis. You can suck at risk (which most IB guys are anyway), but if you get your personality right, you will have an easier time. IB at the end of the day is all about packaging. Package yourself well. Package your pitch well - and dont forget that all that packaging is your personality.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

When I look at some of the information shared with regards to IB, im wondering if these people are really working in IB or merely just some WSO loyal reader with no practical IB experience.

To those whom are looking for IB roles, please do not be disillusioned by all that big money talk. IB in Singapore is very different from Hong Kong and Wall Street. Alot of IB guys in Singapore ultimately move on to Corporate Banking roles.

If you are in a BO role and wish to move into IB, personality screams louder than anything. If you are able to carry yourself well and know how to work that charisma, you will be able to get the right people to give you what you want. At the end of the day, how you speak and present eloquently at a roadshow is more important than anything else. You need to be persuasive and confident in your approach especially when you are facing a dozen other senior bank representatives and C-level executives whom are listening in.

If you are already working in an FO support role, im sure you will see that all the talk about rude, arrogant and snobbish Ibankers are just a minority in the industry - just like any other industries. Majority of the guys are open to sharing and chatting with you. You just need to know how to approach them.

Remember one thing: when you get into IB, personality is the one and only thing that will get you ahead. You can suck at modelling and DCF analysis. You can suck at risk (which most IB guys are anyway), but if you get your personality right, you will have an easier time. IB at the end of the day is all about packaging. Package yourself well. Package your pitch well - and dont forget that all that packaging is your personality.

I think it's a fair question to ask whether or not posters have relevant experience, but judging by your response, it is obvious you don't.

I would agree that personality is important - no one wants to work with a d*ck 80 hours a week, but given that the poster is only 1 year into his job, there's no way you can get by without getting grilled on the technicals. And that's AFTER your CV gets screened. So the point is that there are 2 hurdles - getting called for an interview, then passing the interviews.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but if M&A you are going for, then you'll need to bring a whole lot more than your personality, esp. for a first year. The proof is in the pudding - go submit your CV to the various banks for FO roles and see what comes back. I'll be very happy to be proven wrong.

And what's with "a lot of IB guys moving into Corporate Banking"?? And since when do analysts present at roadshows? I'm afraid your understanding of IB is misplaced. I'll let the other contributors like Piko90 straighten you out as well.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

hi could you please advise then on the more high paying BO job scopes or rather what BO jobs to avoid?

Try trading support, product control, treasury. Most likely to move to FO if you do a good job and traders like you.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

More or less so. I always wondered why people think they can just mid way parachute into FO. So easy can just ask online for tips why people bother to study hard, do internship, network and gain relevant exp.

Or you could do an MBA or move to Big 4 Transaction Services before trying again, as suggested as a previous posters.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Try trading support, product control, treasury. Most likely to move to FO if you do a good job and traders like you.

hi may i know for these roles do they just require experience in banking or are there specific BO exp they are looking for? thank you!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

hi may i know for these roles do they just require experience in banking or are there specific BO exp they are looking for? thank you!

Depends on your level. If you're fresh grad, then it probably comes down to luck (i.e. which team is hiring at the time you are applying), whether or not the team manager likes you, and your interview performance.

Switching BO teams as I understand is pretty common, and also comes down to availability of openings and whether or not someone knows you/is willing to back you. So having a good reputation (being team player, hard worker, interesting person etc.) is impt.

Disclaimer: I can't going into the specifics of skillset since I personally don't have BO experience. It's what I've been told from the BO guys that have reached out to me to network. Probably better if someone else answers that