Unemployed sinner

[sinner]

Hello team,

As some of you may know, I have left my previous role and am taking a break from employment.

I have a bunch of job offers on the table already to continue working in my current field (IT) including one to lead a new team here in AU.

But I would like to take this chance to put my hand up for any finance related work that is available. I had an (IT role) interview with a large European market maker recently for their Sydney office and came pretty close, it was down to me and one other candidate and they picked the other guy based on the results of some sort of HR induced personality quiz.

I can trade. But I also think I would make a pretty good analyst, researcher, coder, etc because I can "speak both languages" in terms of finance and computer science.

Looking for ~$150k and preferably work remotely but will happily go to an office in Sydney if the job is right. If you know anything available, please let me know.

 

[kid hustlr]

Hello team,

As some of you may know, I have left my previous role and am taking a break from employment.

I have a bunch of job offers on the table already to continue working in my current field (IT) including one to lead a new team here in AU.

But I would like to take this chance to put my hand up for any finance related work that is available. I had an (IT role) interview with a large European market maker recently for their Sydney office and came pretty close, it was down to me and one other candidate and they picked the other guy based on the results of some sort of HR induced personality quiz.

I can trade. But I also think I would make a pretty good analyst, researcher, coder, etc because I can "speak both languages" in terms of finance and computer science.

Looking for ~$150k and preferably work remotely but will happily go to an office in Sydney if the job is right. If you know anything available, please let me know.

The obvious MM choices like SIG Optiver etc don't interest you?

 

[sinner]

The obvious MM choices like SIG Optiver etc don't interest you?

Only peripherally interested in MM. They want math nerds and physics PhD types from what I have seen and interviews at similar places I have been through.

I am definitely not the math nerd type.

As an example of roles interesting me I'd prefer to work for a hedge fund or investment company like Bronte Capital (yes, I have emailed John ). I'm far more interested in research, analysis and using computer science to automate/optimise trading/research/analysis.

 

[Gringotts Bank]

Only peripherally interested in MM. They want math nerds and physics PhD types from what I have seen and interviews at similar places I have been through.

I am definitely not the math nerd type.

As an example of roles interesting me I'd prefer to work for a hedge fund or investment company like Bronte Capital (yes, I have emailed John ). I'm far more interested in research, analysis and using computer science to automate/optimise trading/research/analysis.

Bronte were advertising about 3 months ago. They sounded like the sort of company where if you had something to offer, and were unconventional enough, they'd look at it any time.

 

[sinner]

Bronte were advertising about 3 months ago.

Yep I know. I actually scored an interview with them in 2013 for the first of same position but stupidly rescinded out of loyalty to my (now previous) employer.

Unfortunately I didn't resign in time to notice the new advertisement and it looks like they are after another graduate role (which would have been fine for me in 2013) but now I'm looking for a little more.

Actually just got a reply from John Hempton said they are not hiring at the moment.

 

[kid hustlr]

Only peripherally interested in MM. They want math nerds and physics PhD types from what I have seen and interviews at similar places I have been through.

I am definitely not the math nerd type.

As an example of roles interesting me I'd prefer to work for a hedge fund or investment company like Bronte Capital (yes, I have emailed John ). I'm far more interested in research, analysis and using computer science to automate/optimise trading/research/analysis.

Couldn't fool me!

In all seriousness that makes sense - I'd be interested to hear how you go landing a hedge fund gig in Sydney there just doesn't seem like that many around.

 

[CanOz]

Sinner, have you ever thought about starting your own consulting business? I mean i believe you have a passion and talent for quantitative type studies, perhaps you could offer these studies at a subscription? Sort of a "sinner's" Quantitative edges type service. I'd pay for that....

 

[tech/a]

Sinner, have you ever thought about starting your own consulting business? I mean i believe you have a passion and talent for quantitative type studies, perhaps you could offer these studies at a subscription? Sort of a "sinner's" Quantitative edges type service. I'd pay for that....

Me too.

Id actually trust the guy!

I agree CanOz
Sinner should seriously look at it.
The industry is sadly lacking something different.
I'm sure with Sinners skills he could devise---something very worthwhile and different.

These days the internet can open many doors.
Then they'll come looking for you!

There is one really big benefit from being self employed I never dreamed of when I was starting out.
When your at the age where no one wants you and your the one that is being moved on because a new improved Sinner has come along.
Seriously I'm the one saying in my own organisation that we need new younger blood---Id hate to be looking for a job at even 10 yrs younger than my age.

 

[poverty]

I know a guy in Sydney who can help. Just meet him at Paramatta Mosque to pick up the car.

 

[DeepState]

What an opportunity for you to re-assess. Optiver has a bunch of roles currently going which would require your skills and experience. Get in, get started and go from there. Same deal with Macquarie, who are currently looking for a software engineer for their FX trading team. Smallish step from there to something directly market facing....if you can handle the thugs on the desk.

What I have learned is that this business is very hard to enter and entry is partly meritocracy, partly backing yourself in very hard, partly because you just look like the kind of guy who should be managing money and partly outright luck. Once typecast as not a money guy, it's hard to break the rut. There are also heaps of money guys around to choose from when a role crops up. However, one way to break in is to be physically co-located to where money is run by any means. Greed conquers all of these prejudices. If you are good, the alpha male of the minute will want you on the team. Because they are time compressed, they will choose someone within immediate physical reach when the pressure ramps up.

I have seen this happen over and over again. Librarians become CEO's of massive investment firms: see Carol Galley.

In order to get the break, right place - right time. You have some influence about being in the right place. Then, it's only a matter of time.

ATB.

 

[sinner]

Thanks for the posts guys and double thanks to the people who PMd me.

Shortly after I started this thread one of my offers upped their offer to something too good to pass up, so it looks like for now I will be sticking with IT.

Hadn't really considered starting my own subscription or anything like that before. It's definitely something to consider. I'll be sure to let Can and tech know if I start something like that

 

[DeepState]

Thanks for the posts guys and double thanks to the people who PMd me.

Shortly after I started this thread one of my offers upped their offer to something too good to pass up, so it looks like for now I will be sticking with IT.

Hadn't really considered starting my own subscription or anything like that before. It's definitely something to consider. I'll be sure to let Can and tech know if I start something like that

With the employment number up by one, the RBA will raise rates at the next meeting. Congrats.

 

[kid hustlr]

Good old capitalism

 

[sinner]

With the employment number up by one, the RBA will raise rates at the next meeting. Congrats.

Still got a few weeks of holidays while they figure out how to hire an Aussie :

 

[qldfrog]

With the employment number up by one, the RBA will raise rates at the next meeting. Congrats.

nope, I just levelled the average to stationary!!!

 

[DeepState]

nope, I just levelled the average to stationary!!!

[Reuters 20:31 AEDST 8 Oct 2015] UPDATE: 6-month Australian swap rates just fell 15bps in London trading on news that the labour market in Queensland was weaker than consensus estimates had forecast. A survey of labour force economists by FactSet reveals that 28 forecasts for the October survey, of 35, were revised downwards by 1 in the last hour. This figure had been revised upward by 1 by the same economists shortly before, causing disruption in a market already plagued by reduced liquidity.

CDS spreads at Bank of America have blown out 35bps on rumours of a major hedge fund meeting difficulties with covering repo positions collateralised by AUD interest rate swaps with Goldman. CEO of BasisPoint Capital, John Merriweather, commented "We should have bloody hired Sinner, what the heck did these Nobel/PhD rocket scientist types know anyway. Dammit. Yet again."

When asked about his plans for the future, Merriweather spurted "Start a freakin' newsletter."

 

[tech/a]

That's really funny!

 

[barney]

it looks like for now I will be sticking with IT.

Bugger ..... I was going to offer you a job helping me scrub floors: ..... with your brains and my incredible good looks we would have been an unbeatable combination!

Congrats on the gig .... and well done on your economically sophisticated postings on ASF; always top shelf stuff!

 

[sinner]

CDS spreads at Bank of America have blown out 35bps on rumours of a major hedge fund meeting difficulties with covering repo positions collateralised by AUD interest rate swaps with Goldman. CEO of BasisPoint Capital, John Merriweather, commented "We should have bloody hired Sinner, what the heck did these Nobel/PhD rocket scientist types know anyway. Dammit. Yet again."

BasisPoint, those fools! I tried to tell them, interest rates just won't move without a reduction in the RBA balance sheet or proportional increases in growth but they wouldn't listen.

Now the Great Netting Out Of Derivatives shall begin

 

[KnowThePast]

sinner, we seem to be in the same place at the same time.

I am also now trying to break into something a bit different from IT in investment banking. I am in London - lots more hedge funds and bank but plenty of very competent people around too.

The challenging bit common to both of us (I assume), is that we've reached good position in our professions. Starting something else, even if similar, is difficult to find without taking a pay cut.

I have an interview on Tue, so wish me luck.