I've studied the MSc. in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics. And Since Graduation have been working in M&A at CSFB. I am trying to pursue a career change into something I would enjoy more and be more comfortable with such as exotic interest rate derivatives or credit derivatives as trader or structurer.Was wondering how I could such a change in this market. I've been in touch with headhunters but the most difficult thing is getting an interview if I had that I could show what I know. Has anyone been in this situation before...or can someone provide the wisdom to proceed along this path of change?Any help or recommendations very much appreciated.RegardsZakduka

My situation is like yours.I never want to get into equity derivatives world...Unfortunately since graduation, I can't find a job and finally after more than 1 year I get my first job in a 4-tier houses in equity derivatives.Now whenever I talk to headhunter, they will only refer me to job in equity derivatives. When I ask can they help me to look for a role in credit derivatives, they will just say my exp. is suitable for equit derivatives given my experience.Headhunters only care for themselves. They are helping the company and not the candidates.The company only like to lure people from rival houses rather than giving training and opportunity to new folks.This is just like a "chicken-and-egg"

QuoteOriginally posted by: MoneyMy situation is like yours.I never want to get into equity derivatives world...Unfortunately since graduation, I can't find a job and finally after more than 1 year I get my first job in a 4-tier houses in equity derivatives.Have you talked to P&D? What did you do in that one year without job? Where were you at that time?

Changes are hard, that's just a fact.Now whenever I talk to headhunter, they will only refer me to job in equity derivatives.There is an upper bound to the amount of change any HH can effect, even good ones. That being said, most work off keyword matching, it works well enough for them.P&D aren't going to change that all by ourselves any time soon.When I ask can they help me to look for a role in credit derivatives, they will just say my exp. is suitable for equit derivatives given my experience.Would say the same thing myself. Your first piece of homework is to construct a compelling argument why I'm wrong. I'll listen to you which is more than most HHs, but the odds still aren't good..Headhunters only care for themselves.Not true, I care about my kids, wife and the production crew of Captain Scarlet for which I put up a chunk of the money. I used to care about my cats (Captain Slog, Speaker to Animals and Geoffrey BSquared Schroedinger) but they died.They are helping the company and not the candidates.All too easy to fall into the that trap, most HHs do.The company only like to lure people from rival houses rather than giving training and opportunity to new folks.Umm, errr we give away more training than all the other HHs put together. That's pretty easy cause they do none. But we can't create opporutinites, we can help a bit in adaption to existing ones, but that only goes so far, and yes I know most HHs won't even do that.I don't have any silver bullets here, but at least point you in the direction of the end of the tunnel which may or may not have a light.No masters degree actually makes you able to do able to do anything.There is a shortage of people around the 2-3 year mark who are good, whereas at 0 years there is a shortage of jobs. The two terms are mutually reinforcing.The only game in town is getting better at what you do. That means not only going back to the books you've studied but pushing though epics like Glasserman, and your light reading as in every day on the train should be Taleb. or BrownYou're doing 10-12 hour days right ? Didn't say it was easy.So to make it harder you need to get your programming up to speed. That means choosing to do stuff in C++ not VBA, or if your boss gets too whingy, coding C++ weekends and comparing the outputs.Means asking question from people at work who know their stuff.Means also asking yourself real hard if you are seeking the right path.You are luckier than most people who didn't get the right offer at the first cut. On this site you've got the opportunity to ask when you get stuck, and if you're not getting stuck you're not doing the right stuff.Not only that you can look at other people's problems and try to answer them, because they are real problems that real quants hit.