I have been looking for an entry level quant job for a long time, got really frustrated with my situation, will appreciate any advice.I have a PhD in electrical engineering major in signal processing (regression, machine learning). I am good with programming (Matlab, c++), statistics, probability. At the time when I graduated (dec 2009), the market was really bad so I took a postdoctoral position doing signal processing in an university research lab. In the mean time I did a lot of self studies in quantitative finance, programmed some models in pricing, volalitility forecasting, etc. I really enjoyed it. In late 2011 I started job search again, mainly on quantitative risk management and asset optimization. I interviewed with a big internment bank and a hedge fund. I passed the first two rounds with both companies, but they both got into hiring freeze, and my postdoc contract was running out. So I took another academic job offer as signal processor in a different university lab. A couple of months later, the hedge fund contacted me again, after a few more rounds of interview they offered me the job. But I had to decline because of some personal reasons.This year I applied again, and got an on-site interview with a big prop shop. The job is about high frequency trading. But today they told me they have to cancel the interview because the H1B cap got filled. I am Chinese national in academic H1B (cap exampt), it seems I will never be able to get an industry job in US because the cap gets filled in 5 days!I applied for jobs in UK too, through company websites, but did not hear back from anyone. I think it's because I don't have the work permit.Is there any other country I could send my resumes? Any English speaking Europe countries? Singapore? Australia? Any suggestion on reputable firms outside of US?I am really lost and felt frustrated. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I am on a similar boat. I know what you are going through.I am thinking Singapore and Hong Kong might be worth a try.Also, see this thread.http://www.wilmott.com/messageview.cfm? ... adid=93911

Why not be a professor for 2-3 years, get your EB1 greencard, and re-evaluate whether you want to be in finance. Things change. For instance, you might find academic tenure to be very valuable (think: 5 years of effort, yields annuity for rest of life), and post-tenure you may even have enough time to trade your own strategies. Universities don't mind that, but financial firms would!

See if you can get a position as Assistant Professor in a university or Community College. Salary in the Engineering school is very low, approximately one-third of the Business School salaries. But you will get your greencard in 6 months under EB-1 category. Then, at the end of the academic year, tell the university that you do not want to renew your contract. You will be free with your GreenCard to look for any job. University will issue one-year contracts for first six years if you stay. After six years, you will either get tenure or you will have to leave the university.Right now, if any company hires you, they have to file for H1-B earliest in April 1, 2014 and you will be able to start work earliest in October 1, 2014. I think that 18 months is too long for a company to wait for you to start work.Other option is to get married to a USA citizen and get the Green Card in two months. There are lot of people in New York City who arrange for this kind of Green Card.

EB1 is just not for a phd or a prof right? You have to be an 'exceptional' researcher in your field if I remember correctly...

You need to be "exceptional" only if self-sponsoring. If your employer applies for the visa on your behalf (and which university would not?) then merely "outstanding" suffices.

this is 20 years ago, but I was once told a story by a math grad from Smith (Northampton, MA). The math dept there tried to hire I believe an argentinian and get him a visa. During discussions with the INS about a green card:>> why do you want to hire a non-American>> he's the best in the world>> he wouldn't be coming to this school if he was