Degree or SII Exams

Hi Guys, i am 22yo andhave had previous experience of working in a small cap brokers, one of which has now ceased trading as a result of a hefty fine. I was not there when the fine was imposed! I was basically cold-calling and doing a junior broker role is selling small cap shares to individual clients. This is something i would not reccommend to anyone apart from the very adventurous battle hardened brokers.
I am currently working Back Office in a finance company but not dealing to much with Financial instruments themselves. I want to one day have a serious crack at Trading and making a career out of it within an IB or a good established Arcade such as Winterfloods (i wish). The major problem for me is i do not have a degree, i have passed SII Regs Exam only. What would companies look for most on a C.V., work experience, a subject related degree or SII Exmas (Sec, Derivatives). If it would be a degree, what would be the best one to pick for a career in Trading. Im finding it very hard to even secure a Back Office role, if you dont have the experience, how the hell do you get it? Whole recruitment policy in this field is a joke i personally feel. Please help. Kind Regards, Marc.

A work ethic which is 2nd to none. When you dont know anything else, you tend to have to focus solely on your strengths, that is worth more than a piece of paper. But, at the end of the day, its the piece of paper that counts i guess which they judge you on, which as i said is wrong, but is now seemingly the norm. I will seriously consider Economics / Finance related degress in which case. Thanks.

mace_d_ace2 said:

A work ethic which is 2nd to none.

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A lot of people looking to get trading jobs have this - it's more of a requirement than a differentiating factor. And you have to prove it - everyone will say they have a great work ethic, so getting a first class degree is a pretty good way of showing that you aren't all talk.

GammaJammer said:

Actually I personally tend to prefer a grad with a 2i and a life meself. Some evidence of balance is a good thing imho. Have interviewed too many grads with 1st class degrees, who had no social skills to speak of and couldn't make a cup of tea if you handed them the teabag and a cup of boiling water. But then again I work in FX, which is still amongst the most people driven of the financial markets. Doesn't mean you don't have to be smart of course, but it's just that you can't just sit in a bubble and not get along with the other people in the market.

GJ

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Absolutely agree, particularly as I'm someone who had no chance at getting a first! I was just trying to make the point that going into an interview and telling them how great your work ethic is won't be enough on its own - you need to prove it, whether by showing academic achievement, or working 5 jobs at a time, or winning an olympic gold medal etc.

fifty2aces said:

Absolutely agree, particularly as I'm someone who had no chance at getting a first! I was just trying to make the point that going into an interview and telling them how great your work ethic is won't be enough on its own - you need to prove it, whether by showing academic achievement, or working 5 jobs at a time, or winning an olympic gold medal etc.

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Well i can tell you, i dont hold out much hope of getting a first. 2i it is then!