Am i qualified to be a city trader??

supa2532 · Jan 30, 2008

hello, i am using a friends account to post a thread as i have been extremely impressed by the informative advice on this forum.

As a self-starter (decided to work on my business after one year of university) i have moved forward with the aim of entering into the financial industry and acheiving desirable qualifications for employment in the city, hopefully as a trader for a major bank.

After 3 years of running a business, currently i am a financial advisor with RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) and have the following qualifications...

(Cert FA ) Certificate in Financial Advice
(Cert FP) Certificate in Financial Planning
(SII) Certificate in Securities and Financial Derivatives

I have also been trading my personal portfolio for over a year now and understand the trading environment, jargon, industry etc.

I am now 25 and extremly keen to make a move to work as a city trader.

I am looking for advice,

1. Do you think i will be accepted with my current qualifications into a reputable investment bank? if so, what position?
2. Is there any other desirable qualifications you recommend i should take to enhance my cv for city trading? (excluding a degree)
3. Any other advice? What other steps can i take to appeal to city employers ?

Your realistic advice , and help with career progression options will be greatly appreciated :innocent:....thanks in advance, Neil

grantx · Jan 30, 2008

Neil,

If your degree was science/mathematics you should be OK. If not, consider stockbroking - your professional qualifications are ideal for account executive/adviser.

I'd still approach the banks even without a maths degree. You never know - maths may only be a requirement if your looking at quant positions.

Grant.

fifty2aces · Jan 31, 2008

supa2532 said:
hello, i am using a friends account to post a thread as i have been extremely impressed by the informative advice on this forum.

As a self-starter (decided to work on my business after one year of university) i have moved forward with the aim of entering into the financial industry and acheiving desirable qualifications for employment in the city, hopefully as a trader for a major bank.

After 3 years of running a business, currently i am a financial advisor with RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) and have the following qualifications...

(Cert FA ) Certificate in Financial Advice
(Cert FP) Certificate in Financial Planning
(SII) Certificate in Securities and Financial Derivatives

I have also been trading my personal portfolio for over a year now and understand the trading environment, jargon, industry etc.

I am now 25 and extremly keen to make a move to work as a city trader.

I am looking for advice,

1. Do you think i will be accepted with my current qualifications into a reputable investment bank? if so, what position?
2. Is there any other desirable qualifications you recommend i should take to enhance my cv for city trading? (excluding a degree)
3. Any other advice? What other steps can i take to appeal to city employers ?

Your realistic advice , and help with career progression options will be greatly appreciated :innocent:....thanks in advance, Neil

I'm guessing you don't have a degree at all, since you didn't mention it. Unfortunately this pretty much prevents you getting into a trading role in a bank - they mostly recruit through graduate schemes, requiring minimum 2:1 - and most of the people the hire are from top universities.

You could try sending your CV to banks, but don't get your hopes up. Your best bet would be to look into proprietary trading firms, who are likely to be more willing to disregard the lack of degree.

grantx · Jan 31, 2008

"after one year of university". I read it as "one year after university".

As 52 says, forget banks but I reckon you may have a chance with a retail stockbroker, especially if you have a client base.

Grant.

Am i qualified to be a city trader??

supa2532

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grantx

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fifty2aces

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grantx

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