I'm a recent pure maths PhD graduate and just started jobhunting. I was quite surprised when an application to a quant role in a major IB resulted in a rejection for that role (not especially surprising) coupled with a very generous offer to join a sales team! I'm tempted and the people in the team would be great to work with. I also think that in some respects the hirers have a better knowledge of what I would be good at than I do. However I wonder how much my first role would affect future development (do you only get one chance to leave a quantitative environment?) and more importantly: what do people on this forum think in general about the challenges / rewards of structured sales as compared to quant work.All comments, predjudices, advice etc welcome, thanks.

QuoteOriginally posted by: timedsI'm a recent pure maths PhD graduate and just started jobhunting. I was quite surprised when an application to a quant role in a major IB resulted in a rejection for that role (not especially surprising) coupled with a very generous offer to join a sales team! if that's the only offer you've got, take it......

sales people get most of the money more than anyone else in IB.that is if they produce the results.

One thing the markets have taught me - use your competitive advantage where it is greatest. In your case, you could be a mediocre quant for 5 years, or a salesman/structurer who has a better education than most of his/her contemporaries. To me, it seems a pretty obvious choice.As also noted - that's where the money is baby!!! EQ

QuoteOriginally posted by: ppauperQuoteOriginally posted by: timedsI'm a recent pure maths PhD graduate and just started jobhunting. I was quite surprised when an application to a quant role in a major IB resulted in a rejection for that role (not especially surprising) coupled with a very generous offer to join a sales team! if that's the only offer you've got, take it......If you like doing research are are like many other quants who are picky about what they get to work on, then I am seriously doubtful if you should take a sales position. After 5 years, perhaps you might (just might) make a decent money in sales, but after that its not going to be easy coming back to quant research. If your long term goal is to be a head of research wing/ strategy / portfolio manager, then perhas a few years of research at a reasonable shop would be useful. In simple words, I would suggest to look for a research position and focus on learning finance like perhaps doing CFA (this will add to your already quant skills as you have a Phd in Maths). If after 3 years, you feel you don't like what you are doing,then you can always go back to sales. The other way round is not so easy.I personally (& this is purely my opinion) believe in betting on horses than win in the long run.