I have a few questions.1. How feasable is it to move from a Quant role to a structurer or trading role? (In particular in Credit.)2. If possible what sort of time frame should one expect before tyhe transition.3. Also if one downgrades the firm (a.k.a. you move froma first tier frim to a second tier one) will the quant experience be respected enough so they'll give you a shot as a junior trader?If anyone actually has some experience with this or has better knowledge than hearsay please do share.

when you go to the trader interview, they will ask "You are a quant. If you want to be a trader, why did you take a job as a quant in the first place?"

QuoteOriginally posted by: KackToodleswhen you go to the trader interview, they will ask "You are a quant. If you want to be a trader, why did you take a job as a quant in the first place?"Kack is always so helpful.

QuoteOriginally posted by: sunmakerQuoteOriginally posted by: KackToodleswhen you go to the trader interview, they will ask "You are a quant. If you want to be a trader, why did you take a job as a quant in the first place?"Kack is always so helpful.Kack is pure noise

Hmmm, people still won't take Kack's advice...His comment has some truth. Quant work and trading work are two totally different things and require two totally different skillsets. If you're really interested in trading and/or structuring (again two totally different things, but the former can and many times does lead into the latter) you should go for that position ASAP. There is no normal timeframe because moving from quant work to trading or structuring is like starting over. Granted, you get exposed to the right sort of stuff as a quant, but like everything else, your experience is what you make of it. I would suggest, if you already have a quant job, to talk to traders/desk managers and learn as much as you can about trading. Also, turn on that personality and start networking hard. There's no reason you can't make a transitiion with some work, but do not fool yourself and think that quant work is a typical stepping stone into trading or a structured path. The only typical or structured path into trading is through one of the rotational analyst programs, usually reserved for fresh undergrads and MBAs. As to the answer to (3)...people command respect and respect is earned. It is never given. So, depending on how you sell yourself and experience will determine what sort of respect you can muster. It should make little difference between top tier firms and second tier firms (although your competition at the latter will certainly be more surmountable). I have seen people with little or no relevant experience and only a ton of confidence, some self-acquired knowledge and lots of enthusiasm get to places others with more "respectable" experience can't.

The trader/structurer job is not really an option at the moment. I am finishing a Ph.D. at the moment and it seems that for the junior trader/structurer most firms want an MA Mathfin or something along those lines.It seems that Ph.D. = Quant so that's how the cookie crumbles.If I get an M.B.A. willI have to find a way to conceal the Ph.D. in order to be taken seriously?

QuoteOriginally posted by: sunmakerQuoteOriginally posted by: KackToodleswhen you go to the trader interview, they will ask "You are a quant. If you want to be a trader, why did you take a job as a quant in the first place?"Kack is always so helpful.Actually, it is highly likely they will ask this. If you got a PhD and are interviewing for a trading job, they'll ask you why you didn't cut your losses when you realized you didn't want an academic job and instead trading. If you cut your losses and quit the PhD, they'll ask you why the hell you quit. Rock and a hard place -- hmm, sounds like trading...

Actually Kack is bang on the money in that post.If you are changing your career it's a pretty obvious question, and you should put some effort into having a good answer.A good spin might be that the quant role is preparation for trading/structuring. You should then be ready for the next question of "why is it good preparation ?"

Guys,Thanks for your answers. You guys are right, I guess it makes more sense to not accept the quant offer and stay unemployed until I can get what I am really looking for.

You say "the trader/structurer job is not really an option", but you're also going to turn down quant roles...I don't think Kack's question is fatal. It's quite reasonable to say: "I started out as a quant, but when I found out more about it then I realised I wanted to move into trading."Obviously I don't want to push taking a job you're not commited to, but equally don't turn it down lightly - particularly if this is the best fit for your current profile