I'm starting a 1yr masters in financial maths shortly.I'm interested in becoming an exotics trader or structurer afterwards. Should I apply to the graduate programmes of investment banks? Or should I wait 'til after I've finished and then approach headhunters?

that one is easy.try the grad schemes first. if you don't secure anything, try the HH.

If you have no experience and you dont get in via the grad programme, then you could say your prospective banking career is over.Headhunters are very unlikely to place you. Why would banks want to pay headhunter fees for a fresh grad? It doesnt usually happen. Banks invest alot of money into their grad schemes and grad recruitment so as a result it is their main source of hiring.The exception of course is if they need grads during another time of the year as oppose to the september intake. This is few and far between and only if the business desperately requires them immediately before the next intake of grads.HH are useless, they advertise lots of false jobs to get your CV's and for junior people they are usually are unable to help.I would never trust a HH or rely on them for that matter.

QuoteOriginally posted by: JuniorStructurerThe exception of course is if they need grads during another time of the year as oppose to the september intake. I thought the grad programmes start late june, can anyone give us some kind of list of dates of begining of grad progs for some banks, i've been to the websites and it's either june/july or with no dates.I'm graduating late september next year and need to know which ones to apply to

QuoteOriginally posted by: JuniorStructurerI would never trust a HH or rely on them for that matter.That's kind of a given.

QuoteOriginally posted by: JMRQuoteOriginally posted by: JuniorStructurerThe exception of course is if they need grads during another time of the year as oppose to the september intake. I thought the grad programmes start late june, can anyone give us some kind of list of dates of begining of grad progs for some banks, i've been to the websites and it's either june/july or with no dates.I'm graduating late september next year and need to know which ones to apply toMost of the programs start june/july. Specifically:-Morgan : July-Merrill : I heard from a rep they start early september.

QuoteOriginally posted by: JuniorStructurerIf you have no experience and you dont get in via the grad programme, then you could say your prospective banking career is over.Headhunters are very unlikely to place you. Why would banks want to pay headhunter fees for a fresh grad? It doesnt usually happen. Banks invest alot of money into their grad schemes and grad recruitment so as a result it is their main source of hiring.The exception of course is if they need grads during another time of the year as oppose to the september intake. This is few and far between and only if the business desperately requires them immediately before the next intake of grads.HH are useless, they advertise lots of false jobs to get your CV's and for junior people they are usually are unable to help.I would never trust a HH or rely on them for that matter. Have a few problems finding a job?