My background:
I can speak and write both Chinese and English, and do not require any working VISA to work in HK. Currently, I'm living in Canada.
My working experience:
2.5 years of US equities prop trading, profitable and rather successful. Then I got a chance to get in a hedge fund (managed futures), and became their top trader in 2006, amongst 11 traders. Despite not having a PhD degree in mathematics and physics, I was given a chance to work with the quants.
In January, I took a vacation to HK, and tried to find jobs there. In 3 weeks, I got 4 interviews. After I went back to Canada, I got none, despite trying to keep in touch with the search firm consultants.
Two common excuses I heard from the consultants all the time:
1. I don't have Asia Experience, and my summer job there 10 years ago doesn't count.
2. I don't have Asia equities experience... hum, are they blind? The difference between Asia and US equities are minimal, any trader should be able to handle the difference.
Of course, I want to find a new job before moving back to HK. I'm determine to move back for good, just want to play it safe, and there is nothing wrong with my current job, except the location is not what I want to spend in the next 10 years.
I've tried to contact a lot of search firms (I mean it), not a lot of them are helpful. It doesn't look like I would get any interview if I continue to stay in Canada. Moving back to HK won't stop them from using the two excuses I mentioned above... but it looks like that would be my only choice for now.
Just want to share my story, and I welcome anyone to find me a job, recommend me a REAL good consultant, share your front desk stories, etc.
Does anyone know any prop trading company in HK, preferably for futures? I already know Swift Trade. My take is... worst come to worst, I can do prop trading, but I prefer to trade at IB and hedge funds.
Oh right.. I'm only 29 years old, in case you are wondering... I'm not being discriminated (yet), but I know they all do...
Thanks for listening :-).