Mac Futures / Mac Holdings

[Russell]

I have recently decided to get into trading due to a move to gibraltar, and have applied for the above company, i have now got through to the interview stage.

i have started to read Market Wizards by Schwager and awaiting another book by J Dalton (mind over the markets or something like that) to try and build up as much knowledge as possible.

I know they have a good reputaion for training and therefore wandering if anyone has any tips on what i should know about for the interview.

thanks for any help

 

[Robertral]

Re: Macfutures / Macholdings

I have recently decided to get into trading due to a move to gibraltar, and have applied for the above company, i have now got through to the interview stage.

i have started to read Market Wizards by Schwager and awaiting another book by J Dalton (mind over the markets or something like that) to try and build up as much knowledge as possible.

I know they have a good reputaion for training and therefore wandering if anyone has any tips on what i should know about for the interview.

thanks for any help

Read Hull (futures, options and other derivatives) and Natenberg (option volatility and pricing)

good luck

 

[Russell]

thanks

unfortunately couldn't get hold of the hull book have got a couple of others, understand a whole lot more now.

 

[TWI]

To be honest you can read as much as you want but what they are going to teach you is fundamentally mindless, that is why it works.
Not that any good books are not worthwhile, they are, but I guarantee that you will not apply any of that theory in your new job if you do only what you are taught.
I think the psychology books like Schwager are best as they provide you with the positive mindset which is so important.

 

[Russell]

I have got my interview on tuesday afternoon in Gibraltar, and was trying to prepare my self for the interview, i have heard that their interviews are quite brutal does anyone know what i should expect? as i have no experience of trading to refer too.

Also what do people think of Macfutures / Macholdings i know they have a good rep but have found it difficult to find much more info apart from that provided on there site, what techniques do they go for eg spreads, scalping etc.

 

[rog1111]

Russell

Is this for a proprietory position ? Or your own funds ?

Roger

 

[anley]

A good reputation, sure if you're their (Macs) bank managers.

They've blown a lot of good people out of the game because they always push them to trade more and more size which makes them more and more money.

 

[TWI]

In every game there are winners and losers but you gotta be in it to win it . Mac are far far better than many of the others.

 

[TRADERguy]

Russell,

How did your interview go and how did you find the Gib office? I work for Mac in Chicago but haven't got over there to visit yet.

 

[Russell]

just answer your questions

Rog: the posistion is for propriety as i am a skint student so have no funds and lots of debt.

Traderguy: not sure about the interview is was very short (15 - 20 mins) as was trying to find out more about you personality and motivations for trading. they have just got a new office which is where i was interviewed but not yet in use seems very good set up with around 200 desks in a brand new building (Europort) its well worth a visit maybe you can call praniel (training manager London) and put a good word in for me, find out if i get the job tomorrow.

anley: I have heard that mac are the best of the prop houses which is my only route in due to no funds. though from whaty i have heard the traders who do work for them have told me that they enjoy themselves and that there is a very good culture, and if their method works why not use it. (thanks for the PM will contact the others as well, but do they require you to have your own funds?)

Twalker: i have heard this about many prop houses, is their any oppurtunity to apply your own strategies or is that after you gain a high level of trust?

 

[TWI]

You will not be able to apply your own strategy until you are trading your own money, but it is likely what they teach you will be better for that sort of environment anyway. Be aware that it will take you 6months - 1 year before you are making a living out of it so hope they are paying you a salary if you are currently skint. Keep your living costs as low as possible in the initial stages cos you will suffer.

 

[Russell]

Thanks

they pay a salary for the first six months, as i understand the first three are at 500 net next three are 1000 net. during the first 3 months you have a series of lessons as well as trading on papertrader to learn the system. depending on level of success will get between 10-20k to invest for the second three months which is monitored by a mentor to help you along the way, to me this seems very reasonable after these three months again based on success the amount you get to invest rises quickly and then you get to keep 70% of all profits, which is not too bad but desk fees are 1500, though during the first 6 months do not pay.

 

[Russell]

i have just heard from Mac and it was bad news, apparently was not positive enough in my interview and had less experience of finance than other candidates.

was a bit gutted, but never mind, the question is now are their any other prop firms in the gibraltar/ marbella area that offer good training, or will i have to do something else to raise enough cash to do it from home?

does anyone know of an online trading programme that i can use to practise on, like a papertrader type thing?

 

[volatileN]

i have just heard from Mac and it was bad news, apparently was not positive enough in my interview and had less experience of finance than other candidates.

was a bit gutted, but never mind, the question is now are their any other prop firms in the gibraltar/ marbella area that offer good training, or will i have to do something else to raise enough cash to do it from home?

does anyone know of an online trading programme that i can use to practise on, like a papertrader type thing?

You had a lucky escape. When I graduated I got job offers from London Capital, Kyte Group and Schneider (all 2 bit 'arcade' style bucket shops like Mac).

These guys take on graduates every year and pay them a salary (or not in the case of London Capital) and then charge them a monthly desk fee (£1200 - £1500) to be there. I know 2 people in litigation with one of the above.

If I were you I would get a real job in a bank or with a hedge fund. I did and 12 months on my bonus will push my earnings into 7 figures.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[TWI]

I think it depends very much where you end up . There are good and bad. All the grads taken on here are still here after 1 year and they are all making money. Reason is, the company focusses on training, growing and maintaining talent. You have to look around and avoid the sausage factories. You can be earning 7 figs, take holidays when you want, decide your own hours and have no politics once you crack this business.

 

[Russell]

Thanks for the advice have decided to try to get into the banks only prob is my ucas points is 18, and ive got a desmond for a degree. think ill try to get into the banks at any level and work my arse off and get where i want, already sent cv to RBSI and Barclays int, so see where that takes me.

Re Mac they do have a lot better rep than STA etc.

 

[rog1111]

twalker

Out of interest, how much screen time do you put in, on average ? Personally I find it hard to do much more than 4 or 5 hours at a stretch before neck ache/eye strain/carpel tunnel syndrome set in ! Do you think you could eliminate certain times of day and still make enough ? Would you ever miss a whole trading day during the week ?

rog1111

I think it depends very much where you end up . There are good and bad. All the grads taken on here are still here after 1 year and they are all making money. Reason is, the company focusses on training, growing and maintaining talent. You have to look around and avoid the sausage factories. You can be earning 7 figs, take holidays when you want, decide your own hours and have no politics once you crack this business.

 

[TWI]

I usually get in at 6:30am and will work til I am flat or to close at 18:00. Ideal is to get out of office by 16:30 but ideal and reality do not often coincide. Do not often leave desk during the day and generally eat at desk. Have people who come here offering sandwiches and disgusting pasta dishes. Sometimes take days off if flat or in well hedged postions, but prefer to work hard for a while then take a week or two out although saying that I have not been away for a while now as building business.

 

[anley]

Volatile

Finally someone who recognises that all these companies have a very skewed business plan - almost 90% in the favour of the shareholders.

Of course they'll always be exceptions to the rules with a few guys doing well, but on the whole pretty much all the employees are being used to click their mouse to make money for their bosses.

As for you earning 7 figures, what are you being paid in, Kazakhstani Tenge?

 

[volatileN]

Volatile

Finally someone who recognises that all these companies have a very skewed business plan - almost 90% in the favour of the shareholders.

Of course they'll always be exceptions to the rules with a few guys doing well, but on the whole pretty much all the employees are being used to click their mouse to make money for their bosses.

As for you earning 7 figures, what are you being paid in, Kazakhstani Tenge?

GBP. It is only just 7 figs but it works for me, I am only 24.

I fail to see why this should imply that I am being paid in Kazakhstani Tenge, perhaps you would elucidate?