How can I get a job on wall street?

Answer 1

John,

It depends on what you want to do on Wall Street. You can get in with a wide range of top Wall Street firms and work in a variety of capacities that will help move you through the ranks. With most of the Street functioning electronically now, you don't have to be on Wall Street physically to work for a top firm.

My suggestion is go out there and search a variety of career choices in the investment arena. See what appeals to you and start moving towards. A Degree (AAs, BA, MBA) really will help get your foot in the door faster, however, many firms do not require them if you meet certain qualifications such as you are licensed and have a plethora of business experience.

Visit NASD.org and NASAA.org, those two sites have examination information on getting licensed. Look at the Series 7, Series 63, Series 65, Series 66, Series 24 options those are some of the base licenses for this industry. Then read up on Salary.com of general requirements that many firms look for in a prospective employee. Lastly, check out Kaplan.com which, in my opinion, has some of the best training materials to prepare one to get licensed or obtain one of the more advanced Chartered Designations like the CFA, CFP, CHRC, etc

hope that helps you out and good luck in your search

Answer 2

if you are talking nyc, and you want to be a trader, you have to start off as an assistant or clerk and you better have a tough skin.

advanced degrees would def be necessary if you are looking to become an analyst or portfolio manager or run a hedge fund.

if you mean just the biz in general, you absolutely do NOT have to have all of the advanced degrees mentioned in the other answers to get most jobs on the street.

just decide what function you want to fill and where you want to end up. if you like to schmooze and want to be in front of people, then sales is for you. you check the ads (i.e. craigslist, monster) for the endless recruiting open houses you can see any given day. go to one and see if you like what you hear. if you don't want to be a rainmaker, you can be a sales assistant--learn the business from an admin point of view. most places want someone who is licensed, but if you interview well, they will sponsor you for the exams and usually give you 60-120 days to pass.

if you like being behind the scenes, you can be in operations where you are on the processing end. you will learn alot and again, you can get licensed from there. compliance is also a HUGE field these days. point is, get your foot in the door and there is almost always room for advancement.

Answer 3

20 years, Britta? Come on!

Get your Bachelor's Degree, then MBA or CFA. Once you have those, you can apply to firms. Check out mba.com and navigate to careers/investment banking. They will give you information on what to expect.

Getting a job like that isn't a walk in the park but it's not impossible. You would also need to be single with no commitments. The hours are long but the pay is fantastic. It's definitly a rewarding position but it comes with lots of dedication.

Ron, ChFC

Answer 4

First, get a business degree, probably a masters, from a top college with top grades. Then apply to Wall Street firms - you might get in.

Answer 5

HA. You can't just walk in there and get one, that's for sure. You have to work for a lower stockbroker company and work your way up there. It'll probably take atleast 20 years if you're lucky.

Answer 6

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.