Hi guys,
Im new to the forum but Ive been looking through it and I think the advice is good. That is why Im laying myself open to critisism.
Im 28, got a 3rd class degree, and 3 C's in A-levels (and B in General Studies). Anyway Im not looking for a pure trading position, but Im more interested in sales trading, broking or private banking (you can probably tell I like talking!). Ive been applying for roles in the last month but Ive had little or no response. When I have had rejections Ive asked for feedback and not received any. I know there are a few things against me including the economy but I was hoping for harsh but fair critique from your wisened minds. Below is my CV and a recent example of a cover letter (it is quite long and anyone who does read it I am indebted to you for your patience):
Cover letter:
Dear xxx,
I would like to express my interest in trainee broker positions. Throughout my job search, previous experience and conversations with finance advisors I have come to respect the professionalism and nature of the broking industry. I am confident that the values and objectives of this career would highly complement my own strengths and enthusiasm. I would like to be considered for this role which requires commitment and refined analytical and communication skills.
I was impressed to learn of the firm’s long history of continually adapting and asserting itself in such a competitive market. I myself have previously worked at Goldman Sachs as a Futures Clearer which brought me into contact with many competing brokers. Having dealt with xxx staff I was infused with a respect that was borne from seeing the dedication and high standards of their employees first hand. This research and direct experience has convinced me that this firm is the ideal environment to pursue my business career.
Evidence of my leadership and analytical skills can be seen in my responsibilities as a Futures Clearer at Goldman Sachs and maintaining a portfolio at loan clients at Morgan Stanley. At this juncture in my life, still early in my career yet having had a sizeable exposure to various roles and corporations I have an insightful understanding of my own career goals and motivations. I can identify with people and thus possess key communication tools and team work attributes. My educational background in Maths & Economics combined with my work experiences, has been excellent preparation for a career with this company.
Please review the enclosed CV and consider my application for the Trainee Broker position. I would appreciate the opportunity to come to your offices to meet with you and explore possible roles with your company and its environment, and I will send a follow-up email in 2 weeks for your feedback. I look forward to exchanging ideas with you concerning a career at this firm and the positive contributions I would offer as a member of its organization.
Thank you for your consideration,
CV
SKILLS PROFILE
Client Interaction
Good communication and negotiation skills including tact and diplomacy with clients and staff of all different levels, completing courses on Negotiation Skills and Client Relationships. Responsible for a portfolio of clients at Morgan Stanley and being involved in the relationship management of high value clients at Goldman Sachs.
Computer Literacy
Proficient in a number of word processing and spreadsheet packages including Windows applications, Access, MS Office and PowerPoint. Professionally I have experience using Loan IQ, Bloomberg, Reuters, Telerate and the LIFFE and EUREX derivative exchanges.
Team Work
Worked with the global BCP (Business Continuity Plan) committee at Morgan Stanley to develop and implement an approved system to meet company needs. Participated within a variety of sports teams at many levels and have been actively involved in a number of university societies including being elected as the Economics Society Magazine Editor.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Feb 09 – April 09 Travelling
May 08 – Feb 09 Goldman Sachs – Futures Clearer, Specialist (Permanent)
• Ad-hoc projects included making presentations and attending meetings with high value clients with an objective of winning ongoing custom in this field. Also delivered presentations on the risks faced by our team to management and subsequently other groups within the firm.
• Worked on LIFFE and EUREX exchanges, being point-of-contact for EUREX issues internally and externally. This involved locating and initiating the global resources of the firm and orchestrating the response to arising issues within these markets to find accepted resolutions, whilst managing the various client expectations.
• Cleared and matched futures execution trades.
• Liaised directly with client exchanges, other brokers and in-house Sales and Trading staff, offering solutions to problems, anticipating future requirements and guidance and support in the implementation of new procedures, rules and systems.
• Resolved T+1 queries, maintaining statistics and accounting for them before management committee meetings. Added value by streamlining processes and reducing age of outstanding issues.
• Completed courses on Commercial Awareness, Futures Products and Risk Management.
Aug 06 – April 08 Morgan Stanley - Loans Analyst (Permanent)
• Frequent liaising with corporate clients to advise and resolve loan-related maintenance issues to fulfil responsibilities of meeting cut-off times and updating management on the performance of a European Portfolio of Loan Clients. In some cases this involved directly liaising with CFO’s of international companies.
• Included settlement of par, distressed and bi-lateral client loans, Letter of Credit processing, and the reconciliation of cash flows.
• Worked on interest analysis, fee analysis, and calculated participant and trade counter party waiver fees.
• Reviewed Credit Agreements and Transfer Certificates to ascertain fulfilment of legally binding contracts.
• Used Microsoft Excel and Loan IQ systems.
• Answered/delegated ad-hoc queries to the team.
• Responsible for loan groups’ BCP Development & Testing (Business Continuity Plan).
• Trained several new staff and authored comprehensive procedure manuals.
• Completed optional courses on Credit Derivatives, Leveraged Finance, Time Management and Client Relationships.
Dec 03 – Aug 05 Henyep Investment Ltd - Junior Derivatives Dealer (Permanent)
• Successfully completed 6 month training programme.
• Responsible for maintaining portfolio of foreign client accounts, liaised directly with brokers and traders, took opposing trades and made margin calls.
• Exposed to CFD products in commodities, currencies, stocks and indices.
• Oversaw settlement and reconciliation, reporting to chief dealer directly.
• Gained competency on Bloomberg, Reuters, Telerate, Excel and in-house trading programme.
June 02 – Dec 03 Millward Brown Ltd - Researcher (Permanent)
• Undertook research projects on behalf of corporate clients including Mars, Mercedes and Fiat. My role involved interviewing businesses and their consumers then presenting my findings to management and clients.
EDUCATION
Sept 01 – June 03, Queen Mary, University of London
Sept 05 – June 06 BSc. (Hons) Mathematics & Economics
Final year dissertation on the merger of HP and Compaq, assessing its justification, analysing the merger process and an evaluation of the event.
Sept 92- June 2000 xxx Grammar School
4 A-levels: 26 points
9 GCSEs: 6 at grade A
INTERESTS
Sports
I currently train at a muay thai-boxing club and at University I was a member of the Mountaineering Society. At school I was selected as House Sports Prefect and represented my County in rugby and athletics, and captained the school athletics team.
Current Affairs
During University I was involved in founding the ‘Millennium Society’, which arranged regular debates, talks and events concerning political and societal issues. As former Treasurer of the society I was actively involved in its finance and administration, regularly appearing before the Student Union Executive Board.
Travel
In summer 2001, after a year of fund-raising, I spent two months on a trekking expedition to the Himalaya Mountain Ranges. As the teams finance manager I learnt skills in planning, building relationships and achieving targets.
All comments/critisisms much appreciated. I was also considering just getting another back office job with lesser hours to study for CFA's or perhaps the CAIA's as Ive heard that'll be more in demand as time goes on.
Many Thanks!
Im new to the forum but Ive been looking through it and I think the advice is good. That is why Im laying myself open to critisism.
Im 28, got a 3rd class degree, and 3 C's in A-levels (and B in General Studies). Anyway Im not looking for a pure trading position, but Im more interested in sales trading, broking or private banking (you can probably tell I like talking!). Ive been applying for roles in the last month but Ive had little or no response. When I have had rejections Ive asked for feedback and not received any. I know there are a few things against me including the economy but I was hoping for harsh but fair critique from your wisened minds. Below is my CV and a recent example of a cover letter (it is quite long and anyone who does read it I am indebted to you for your patience):
Cover letter:
Dear xxx,
I would like to express my interest in trainee broker positions. Throughout my job search, previous experience and conversations with finance advisors I have come to respect the professionalism and nature of the broking industry. I am confident that the values and objectives of this career would highly complement my own strengths and enthusiasm. I would like to be considered for this role which requires commitment and refined analytical and communication skills.
I was impressed to learn of the firm’s long history of continually adapting and asserting itself in such a competitive market. I myself have previously worked at Goldman Sachs as a Futures Clearer which brought me into contact with many competing brokers. Having dealt with xxx staff I was infused with a respect that was borne from seeing the dedication and high standards of their employees first hand. This research and direct experience has convinced me that this firm is the ideal environment to pursue my business career.
Evidence of my leadership and analytical skills can be seen in my responsibilities as a Futures Clearer at Goldman Sachs and maintaining a portfolio at loan clients at Morgan Stanley. At this juncture in my life, still early in my career yet having had a sizeable exposure to various roles and corporations I have an insightful understanding of my own career goals and motivations. I can identify with people and thus possess key communication tools and team work attributes. My educational background in Maths & Economics combined with my work experiences, has been excellent preparation for a career with this company.
Please review the enclosed CV and consider my application for the Trainee Broker position. I would appreciate the opportunity to come to your offices to meet with you and explore possible roles with your company and its environment, and I will send a follow-up email in 2 weeks for your feedback. I look forward to exchanging ideas with you concerning a career at this firm and the positive contributions I would offer as a member of its organization.
Thank you for your consideration,
CV
SKILLS PROFILE
Client Interaction
Good communication and negotiation skills including tact and diplomacy with clients and staff of all different levels, completing courses on Negotiation Skills and Client Relationships. Responsible for a portfolio of clients at Morgan Stanley and being involved in the relationship management of high value clients at Goldman Sachs.
Computer Literacy
Proficient in a number of word processing and spreadsheet packages including Windows applications, Access, MS Office and PowerPoint. Professionally I have experience using Loan IQ, Bloomberg, Reuters, Telerate and the LIFFE and EUREX derivative exchanges.
Team Work
Worked with the global BCP (Business Continuity Plan) committee at Morgan Stanley to develop and implement an approved system to meet company needs. Participated within a variety of sports teams at many levels and have been actively involved in a number of university societies including being elected as the Economics Society Magazine Editor.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Feb 09 – April 09 Travelling
May 08 – Feb 09 Goldman Sachs – Futures Clearer, Specialist (Permanent)
• Ad-hoc projects included making presentations and attending meetings with high value clients with an objective of winning ongoing custom in this field. Also delivered presentations on the risks faced by our team to management and subsequently other groups within the firm.
• Worked on LIFFE and EUREX exchanges, being point-of-contact for EUREX issues internally and externally. This involved locating and initiating the global resources of the firm and orchestrating the response to arising issues within these markets to find accepted resolutions, whilst managing the various client expectations.
• Cleared and matched futures execution trades.
• Liaised directly with client exchanges, other brokers and in-house Sales and Trading staff, offering solutions to problems, anticipating future requirements and guidance and support in the implementation of new procedures, rules and systems.
• Resolved T+1 queries, maintaining statistics and accounting for them before management committee meetings. Added value by streamlining processes and reducing age of outstanding issues.
• Completed courses on Commercial Awareness, Futures Products and Risk Management.
Aug 06 – April 08 Morgan Stanley - Loans Analyst (Permanent)
• Frequent liaising with corporate clients to advise and resolve loan-related maintenance issues to fulfil responsibilities of meeting cut-off times and updating management on the performance of a European Portfolio of Loan Clients. In some cases this involved directly liaising with CFO’s of international companies.
• Included settlement of par, distressed and bi-lateral client loans, Letter of Credit processing, and the reconciliation of cash flows.
• Worked on interest analysis, fee analysis, and calculated participant and trade counter party waiver fees.
• Reviewed Credit Agreements and Transfer Certificates to ascertain fulfilment of legally binding contracts.
• Used Microsoft Excel and Loan IQ systems.
• Answered/delegated ad-hoc queries to the team.
• Responsible for loan groups’ BCP Development & Testing (Business Continuity Plan).
• Trained several new staff and authored comprehensive procedure manuals.
• Completed optional courses on Credit Derivatives, Leveraged Finance, Time Management and Client Relationships.
Dec 03 – Aug 05 Henyep Investment Ltd - Junior Derivatives Dealer (Permanent)
• Successfully completed 6 month training programme.
• Responsible for maintaining portfolio of foreign client accounts, liaised directly with brokers and traders, took opposing trades and made margin calls.
• Exposed to CFD products in commodities, currencies, stocks and indices.
• Oversaw settlement and reconciliation, reporting to chief dealer directly.
• Gained competency on Bloomberg, Reuters, Telerate, Excel and in-house trading programme.
June 02 – Dec 03 Millward Brown Ltd - Researcher (Permanent)
• Undertook research projects on behalf of corporate clients including Mars, Mercedes and Fiat. My role involved interviewing businesses and their consumers then presenting my findings to management and clients.
EDUCATION
Sept 01 – June 03, Queen Mary, University of London
Sept 05 – June 06 BSc. (Hons) Mathematics & Economics
Final year dissertation on the merger of HP and Compaq, assessing its justification, analysing the merger process and an evaluation of the event.
Sept 92- June 2000 xxx Grammar School
4 A-levels: 26 points
9 GCSEs: 6 at grade A
INTERESTS
Sports
I currently train at a muay thai-boxing club and at University I was a member of the Mountaineering Society. At school I was selected as House Sports Prefect and represented my County in rugby and athletics, and captained the school athletics team.
Current Affairs
During University I was involved in founding the ‘Millennium Society’, which arranged regular debates, talks and events concerning political and societal issues. As former Treasurer of the society I was actively involved in its finance and administration, regularly appearing before the Student Union Executive Board.
Travel
In summer 2001, after a year of fund-raising, I spent two months on a trekking expedition to the Himalaya Mountain Ranges. As the teams finance manager I learnt skills in planning, building relationships and achieving targets.
All comments/critisisms much appreciated. I was also considering just getting another back office job with lesser hours to study for CFA's or perhaps the CAIA's as Ive heard that'll be more in demand as time goes on.
Many Thanks!
