Nowadays, there is opportunity for virtually anyone to get involved in the financial world via online brokers; so for example, one can be involved with CFD trading via City Index in a matter of minutes.
However, with the trading industry being so all encompassing, there are all manner of different avenues someone could take in order to forge a formal career in the sector, and this will be music to the ears of many financial graduates around the world. As a result, we have broken things down into three bite sized chunks, to show which types of jobs people could look to get right now.
Buy-Side Trading Jobs
Many begin their trading careers working buy-side trading jobs. These are often available with organisations such as asset management firms, as well as at financial institutes like hedge funds, mutual funds and at private equity companies. People in these roles are often required to report to the portfolio managers, who are there to make key decisions on what should be bought and sold, and by who.
Forging a career in the buy-side trading sector will see a person start out by having to get their portfolio manager the very best value within the specified parameters required. If they continue to do a good job, buying at the right price and at the right time, they could progress to become a portfolio manager themselves, amongst other things.
Sell-Side Trading Jobs
Sell-side trading jobs are different to buy-side trading jobs in the sense that traders are tasked with interacting with both new and existing customers a lot more, as marketing is imperative for success.
Anyone will be able to get their foot on the ladder in this sector through trading jobs at institutes such as commercial banks and investment banking companies. The main role in sell-side jobs is to be able to trade financial instruments which are going to be beneficial to customers.
A lot of research is required to be successful, with the reports that are written sold on to those working the buy-side, who are customers in a way. The sell-side trader’s role is one that has evolved quickly over the last few years, with technology now playing a key role in the day to day side of things.
Hedge Fund Jobs
There’s also the opportunity to make a career by trading with hedge funds. This could involve working under the guidance of a portfolio manager or working alone and deciding what to buy and sell, for how much and when. A hedge fund trader is seen as a more individual role, as people are looking to capitalise on market movements, rather than being out to appease customers.
There’s a lot more risk involved in this area, a considerable amount more than what is seen in buy-side and sell-side jobs, but the rewards are considerably better too, if a person can cope with the stress that comes with the role. Many hedge fund traders go on to set up their own hedge funds too, which shows there is real career progression here too.
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