Fresh Grad - Financial modeling/risk/trading

[shopaholic777]

Hi guys,

I've graduated a year ago with 1st class Hons in Finance from a top Australian uni. I'm currently in Sydney and have been looking for jobs in Financial modeling/risk/trading.
I've been to some interviews in Sydney but my lack of commercial experience has always been the barrier. I'd like to know abt the opportunity of getting an entry level job in these areas in Singapore.
I don't find many risk mgmt jobs on Jobsdb or Jobstreet. Wondering if I'm looking at the right job site?
Any advice or contact information of possible employers will be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Strong Eagle]

Opportunity = Zero.

You have no experience. You would be competing against locals with similar educational background. Getting a work permit would be very difficult.

[pakjohn]

This work environment is reminding me very much of the 1970's;

Be creative, just the education won't get you in the door and the fact that you're not a local will mean having HR admins potentially screening your CV.

Assuming you can get permission to work in Singapore:
Seek an internship in the industry you want to work in, offer free work for the first week to one month, work for lower wages. Might mean working a side job as well for a while, but as the economy gets worse, the opportunities will decrease.

[shopaholic777]

Strong eagle, if you're referring to Employment Pass as the work permit, I've been granted EPEC since a few weeks ago.
About work experience, does academic experience generally count in Singapore? I have tutored econometrics and derivatives courses at uni while doing my Honours. I hope this can differentiates me somehow from other local grads..

Anyone in risk management/trading, it will be awesome if you guys can share your thoughts. Thanks!

[Strong Eagle]

Yes, I meant EP. However, if you read the papers you'll see that there have been lots of layoffs in the financial sector. Many experienced people are looking for jobs. Maybe you get lucky... but I see that it is an employer's market... and I don't see employers making the effort to recruit an inexperienced foreigner where there is both foreign and local experienced talent looking for work. Sorry.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Strong eagle, if you're referring to Employment Pass as the work permit, I've been granted EPEC since a few weeks ago.
About work experience, does academic experience generally count in Singapore? I have tutored econometrics and derivatives courses at uni while doing my Honours. I hope this can differentiates me somehow from other local grads..

Anyone in risk management/trading, it will be awesome if you guys can share your thoughts. Thanks!

An EPEC is not a guarantee that you will get an Employment Pass. It only eliminates the possibility that you won't be rejected for educational qualifications. It's still up to the employer to convince the MOM that they NEED to hire a foreigner because there are not suitably qualified locals take up the position. If you have no working experience in the field, your chances are virtually zero. However you could always get lucky. I wouldn't hold my breath or come over here without a return ticket though if I were you.

sms