What does one actually do in a trading desk analyst position?

[rock 10]

What would a trading desk analysts do at a fuel wholesale company? Here is the job description:

 

"This person will assist the Financial Traders in entering daily futures into the trade system, verify and check daily futures trades, run ad hoc reports from trading system into Excel, verifiy daily P & L and position changes, corroborate all numbers with accounting department and maintain all related spreadsheets.

 

Our ideal candidates will have the following experience:

 

Strong experience with Excel including generating charts and tables

 

Access and overall Windows operating systems

 

Strong Organizational skills with filing systems both hard copy and with Document Imaging

 

Problem solving skills

 

Stable work history

 

Strong work ethic

 

Ability to communicate effectively over the phone

"

 

I think the description pretty much sums it up. Any input?

I don't qualify for the job so I'm thinking of not even wasting my time and energy.

[Soultrader 12]

It seems like assistant work and data mining. Usually a team of traders will have a few assistants taking all sorts of information down on high/low performers, stock deslistings, insitutional block holdings, market sentiment, chart data of traders risk in excel, etc....

 

You will definitely learn alot about the markets they trade but you will probably go through shit work for 1-2 years.

[rock 10]

Whoa! That was a quick response.

I was researching the company and every time I got the blind courage to just apply for it, I remember I really don't qualify in any way. What am I supposed to say? Oh I'm just a wannabe trader and I'd like to be your assistant. I don't know jack but I'm a hard worker and i can figure it out.

[Soultrader 12]

Well if you really want to dedicate the time to learn the markets... I am sure you can absorb alot of knowledge there. Just apply and give off a very motivated, hungry, and passionate image. Most finance guys I meet love hungry guys.

 

I dont think mentioning I want to be your assistance is necessary. But mention your goal is to be a top trader and that you are willing to do anything to get there.

[rock 10]

I need a job and I was surprised to find a job like that in my area. Do pretty much all firms want to hear that their trading desk analysts have the ultimate goal to actually be a trader?

[Soultrader 12]

I need a job and I was surprised to find a job like that in my area. Do pretty much all firms want to hear that their trading desk analysts have the ultimate goal to actually be a trader?

 

No but from what Ive seen... it requires long hours. Our assistance had to retreive data from the Tokyo Stock Exchange everyday at 7:30pm so would be working till around 8:30-9:00pm. Also note the early hours starting from around 7:00am for traders.

 

You do want to give off an impression that you are passionate about the markets though.

[MrPaul 10]

No but from what Ive seen... it requires long hours. Our assistance had to retreive data from the Tokyo Stock Exchange everyday at 7:30pm so would be working till around 8:30-9:00pm. Also note the early hours starting from around 7:00am for traders.

 

You do want to give off an impression that you are passionate about the markets though.

 

Yes I agree! And also when giving the impression that you are passionate about markets, talk that up with certain goals you have set and achieved. That will reinforce that fact that you are not only passionate, but determined.