Hey all,
I’m trying to break into trading roles at investment banks and could use some guidance on what areas to focus my learning on. Coming from a finance background with some experience in Sales & Structuring through internships, but now targeting front office trading specifically.
The field seems super competitive so I want to make sure I’m developing the most relevant skills. Here’s what I’m wondering about:
Certifications - Do things like CFA or CQF actually matter to hiring managers, or are there other credentials that carry more weight?
Math and quant skills - Should I be diving deep into topics like stochastic processes, time series analysis, or other specific areas?
Programming - Python seems essential but how advanced do I need to get? Are there other languages or tools that are commonly used on trading desks?
Learning resources - Any standout books, online courses, or materials for understanding trading strategies, derivatives pricing, or how markets actually function?
Further education - Is it worth pursuing additional degrees or specialized programs, or can self-study get me where I need to be?
Would really value input from anyone currently trading or who has hiring experience. What actually moves the needle in interviews and day-to-day work?
Thanks for any insights!
Solid advice! Focus on understanding markets and coding fundamentals. Your trading background is a huge advantage - use it to connect with traders while you build simple strategies. Keep up with market news every day. You’ve got this!
Been through this grind myself! The CFA got me past HR filters, but talking markets in interviews is what actually mattered. Learn Python basics - you don’t need to be a coding wizard, just pull data and run simple backtests. Bloomberg terminal knowledge is huge if you can swing access. What got me hired was having strong opinions on specific trades and defending them well. Pick a few sectors, follow them closely, and develop your market voice. That’s what separates you from everyone else.
networking trumps everything. my grades were solid and i knew python, but i got hired because i knew someone on the desk. reach out to alums and go to industry events - hiring managers value cultural fit over perfect technical skills. you’ll learn derivatives pricing on the job, but they’ve got to like you first.
From a hiring perspective, candidates usually obsess over theoretical quant stuff but miss the basics that actually matter. You need to understand order flow, liquidity, and how big institutions move markets—that’s what shows you get real trading, not just textbook knowledge. Don’t sleep on Excel either. Traders live in spreadsheets, modeling scenarios and risk before touching any fancy systems. For programming, start with data manipulation and visualization. Being able to quickly pull insights from market data and explain them clearly beats advanced coding skills every time. Try shadowing traders or setting up informational interviews—equity trading is totally different from fixed income or commodities. Your Sales & Structuring background is actually a huge advantage. Pure quant candidates don’t have that client-side perspective. Play that up in interviews since modern trading isn’t just about execution anymore—you need to understand client needs and market positioning too.
Honestly? Most stuff people obsess over is just resume padding. Certs look nice but won’t save you if you can’t explain why oil futures are moving or break down basic gamma hedging without reading from a textbook. Focus on understanding how markets actually work - spreads, volume drivers, why stocks get weird during earnings. Everyone’s pushing Python this, CFA that… meanwhile the guy hired last week just knew how to read depth charts and had solid Excel skills. Banking loves overcomplicating things, but trading’s about making money, not impressing academics.