Braking into finance. Technologies .NET C++

**Scrag Meister** · 30 September 2011, 07:03

C++ is used a lot in the Front office by the quants (maths bods) as they right the code where performance is a prerequisite.

C# is used mainly for GUI and DB type apps.

C# is more in demand but C++ generally in my experience appears to pay better.

Personally I don't think Front office would be an option without hardcore maths and business knowledge, banks pay top rate for top skills and experience.

Personally I'm a VBA dev with a touch of C#, hoping C# will get better as a combination is good at the moment due to a switch from VBA.

GL in your search.

**ddaft** · 30 September 2011, 07:22

I'd keep building up your c++ skills as it sounds like you are stronger in it. I don't use it myself but pretty sure I've seen boost down as a requirement for some roles. You will find roles for both out there but the .net ones will be looking for WPF or Silverlight experience in addition generally. Most roles for one of these languages will typically have the other down as a desirable additional skill so definitely keep your hand in both as it may set you apart from other candidates. As the previous poster said you are going to need expert skills to break into the front office especially without finance experience. The finance market at the moment is pretty dire for both perm and contract with plenty of experienced people benched so id be tempted to wait until next year (feb/march) at least when the market is usually busier.

**bilgehan** · 30 September 2011, 10:30

thanks for the answers.

Do employers in finance give attention to skills which are not used at work? For example I'd like to download and study IBM MQ middleware as most of the roles requires middleware such as TIBCO(doesn't have trial). I'll write that to my CV but will put no experience on it.

Also do you know any good C++/C# book that focuses on finance subjects such as quantitative development + usage of some middleware which I can gain some hands on experience.

**ddaft** · 30 September 2011, 10:49

Yeah I would stick anything like that down on your CV even if not used in real work capacity.

There are a few books out there that attempt to combine .net and finance but the ones i've seen have been pretty naff and manage to do a bad job on both fronts. You may have more luck on the c++ front as there are probably better quant books that combine the two. I'd stick to the usual techie books and get some intro to finance books. Probably stick to topics like general derivatives, options etc rather than specialize in specific markets like FX, Equities etc to begin with as the basic concepts are generally transferrable.

**bilgehan** · 1 October 2011, 17:14

very helpful chaps. thanks for the answers.

**Troll** · 1 October 2011, 20:10

Braking rather than Breaking and other such typographical howlers are frowned on and will eliminate your c.v. at the beginning.

It's a bit of a conservative environment

HTH

**northernladuk** · 1 October 2011, 20:32

I wouldn't call a language learnt from a book a skill either. Becareful about floating those about your CV. You gotta be good to break in to finance else your exit will be pretty quick. Kidding them about your skills is not a good start.

**nomadd** · 2 October 2011, 11:19

Originally posted by bilgehan View Post

Hi,

I am C++/C developer in home media sector. I have 7 years experience in both languages. I want to break into finance and possibly my first job will be a permanent one.

I have 2 questions:

Which is more in demand in finance C# or C++ in your experience? In job boards it looks like there are more C# openings and I have good C++/STL experience and beginner level C#. I am thinking of improving my C#, NET but as I am a C++ developer I can't use it at work so I don't know whether it will give me any advantage while looking for job in finance. In your opinion should I spend my time on C#, NET or improve my C++ e.g. learn boost (I've never used boost and won't in my current role)?

thanks

Stick with the C++ for now. Concentrate on "threading" libraries and parallel/concurrent programming. Some low-level programming skills would also help (sockets, network, messaging, performance tuning, etc.) Those technical skills are in huge demand in Investment Banks at present: for example, Jobserve has 57 permie jobs paying £100K+ for C++ devs with solid threading and concurrency skills. Oh, and make sure you do your dev on a Linux box of some form (pref. RedHat.) The big push in IBs these days is to use clusters of commodity Linux boxes, as they work out far cheaper than traditional "big iron" and are much, much more scalable longer term. If you have an nVidia card in your PC, take a look at CUDA (it's C, but also supports C++ and has a highly parallelised implementation of STL) and all the tools are free now.

If you have very strong technical skills in those areas (NB. CUDA is just a "nice to have" and a good talking point at interviews; only a few banks use it at present), it will make up for your lack of business experience at this point in the game (and I should know, as I've managed to bag two great contracts in IBs recently based on my "techie" skills alone...)

**bilgehan** · 3 October 2011, 21:03

Originally posted by nomadd View Post

it will make up for your lack of business experience at this point in the game (and I should know, as I've managed to bag two great contracts in IBs recently based on my "techie" skills alone...)

Congrats that's what I am trying to do, passed the phone and first face to face interview with an IB but failed the second one. I am hoping better luck next time.

Cheers.

Braking into finance. Technologies .NET C++