Work/life balance for a new trader (at a firm))

[jonny87]

Hi,

Plaese could somebody give me an idea of how much time a new trader at a firm would get per week for non work activities?

I mean as a new trader would I would be expected to do my own research outside of working hours? And if so, how may hours per week would be expected for this roughly?

I've got another commitment that I want to spend time on aafter work each day you see (or at leas most days) and just trying to work out if I can do this and hve a social life while working as a trader or whether trading will have to wait for now.

Thanks,
Jonny

 

[Jack o'Clubs]

It may vary from place to place but in my experience no-one cares very much what you're doing if you are pulling in the numbers. Where I work, the guy with the most profitable book (by a long shot) comes in late, leaves early, takes odd days off with no notice, or works from home as and when he feels like it. At the other end of the scale some guys are doing 70 hour weeks at their desks, either hoping it will deliver a performance turnaround or that the higher-ups will take into account the sheer effort they're putting in as an offset to their poor numbers.

 

[donaldduke]

"You are required to work your ass off. We want winners, not pikers. A piker is someone who walks at the bell. A piker asks how much vacation time he gets in the first year. See, people work here to become filthy rich. No other reason. That's it. You want vacation time? Go teach third grade public school.."

 

[pboyles]

Hi,

Plaese could somebody give me an idea of how much time a new trader at a firm would get per week for non work activities?

I mean as a new trader would I would be expected to do my own research outside of working hours? And if so, how may hours per week would be expected for this roughly?

I've got another commitment that I want to spend time on aafter work each day you see (or at leas most days) and just trying to work out if I can do this and hve a social life while working as a trader or whether trading will have to wait for now.

Thanks,
Jonny

I wouldn't let this interfere with your social life or outside activities. Make that clear at your interview, I'm sure they'll understand.

 

[rawrschach]

If youre at a prop firm theyd expect maybe half an hour after the bell and that you be in about half an hour before the bell. Once you start making money no one cares.

 

[jonny87]

I guess what I'm asking is, in order to get good enough to stay at a firm would the average person need to put in research in their own time or should work hours provide enough opportunity to learn and improve? I know it various from person to person but on average

 

[rawrschach]

whatre you gonna learn when the market is closed? good to rest a bit anyway

 

[FringFX]

when the market is closed? well.... read, check the charts or your journal, plan for next week, the likes... rest is good but success comes at a price

 

[Mr O]

It may vary from place to place but in my experience no-one cares very much what you're doing if you are pulling in the numbers. Where I work, the guy with the most profitable book (by a long shot) comes in late, leaves early, takes odd days off with no notice, or works from home as and when he feels like it. At the other end of the scale some guys are doing 70 hour weeks at their desks, either hoping it will deliver a performance turnaround or that the higher-ups will take into account the sheer effort they're putting in as an offset to their poor numbers.

What this guy said.... Once you're making money no one is really bothered what you get up to. I only hear from my firm if they haven't heard from me for a couple of weeks and i haven't given any notice.... and even then it's just an 'Alright mate, just checking you haven't died or anything'

 

[NVP]

Hi,

Plaese could somebody give me an idea of how much time a new trader at a firm would get per week for non work activities?

I mean as a new trader would I would be expected to do my own research outside of working hours? And if so, how may hours per week would be expected for this roughly?

I've got another commitment that I want to spend time on aafter work each day you see (or at leas most days) and just trying to work out if I can do this and hve a social life while working as a trader or whether trading will have to wait for now.

Thanks,
Jonny

Trading is not life or death ....its far more important than that

 

[bigmistake]

It realy depends, no two persons are the same, maybe 40 hours/week but maybe all whole day.

but in general, It really takes months of practicing demo to learn while actually reading about forex.

 

[tommog]

If you are a trainee you should be there as much as possible, you have to be prepared to make sacrifices. If the price of potentially earning unlimited amounts of money requires you to work 12+ hours a day and you arent prepared to do it you probably dont want it enough to be honest.

But having said this, once you are making money it is completely up to you how you structure your day.

Trading isnt "go-go" all the time. I might be in the office for 12 hours and maybe only actively in the market for 3-4, its about picking your moments really. Other times its busy all the time. Sometimes its hardly worth coming in, its always changing.

 

[duderex]

in my opinion, its better that you let learning forex adjust to your available time, instead of setting a time limit for your self, I mean just use what free time you have and later you will be able to tell if you are ready or not. but it will take a long time just be patient