I’m not someone who typically believes in luck, but in this case I feel I barely scrapped by. This internship was a tough one to get.  I went through three interviews with Bella, Steve, and Gilbert.  I first got in contact with Bella in December for a little career advice, after reading his book. (At the time I was learning to trade for a small firm starting up). I eventually realized SMB was where I wanted to be. SMB seemed to care about its traders, and already provided me with a lot of help through its blog.

I sent in an application to HR in February and gave Bella a heads up. HR liked my resume. Awesome! I had a phone interview with Bella. I prepared very hard for my interview, went over my last trades. When, why, how, and what could I do better. I looked at all the questions that Bella said he normally asked in his book. Practiced explaining my answers with friends. By the time the interview time had come, I was well prepared… So I thought. I was a mess on the phone, and made myself sound like a newbie trader. Five minutes into the interview, he asked me if I had anything else to add before he hung up. (That is not a good sign).

I quickly responded “Yes!” and told Bella why I liked his firm. He seemed happy and took down my info. At that point I felt 50-50 on the interview.

As each day after the interview passed, I felt more and more disappointed with my interview as I realized all the thoughts I had failed to properly communicate.  Part of me wanted to plead him for another phone interview, but he’s a busy man. I’d have a lot of nerve asking him to do that.

Just as luck would have it, a few weeks later, SMB was actually having an event over in NYC. It was open to all. Since I am in California I first thought, shoot what a shame that I’m so far away. I then realized this may be the perfect opportunity for me to pitch myself to Bella again. (FYI: In between the phone interview and NYC, HR had called some of my reference contacts, so I felt there was some interest.)

Short notice tickets were expensive, about $1,000. I opened a Chase CC with no interest for 1-year to finance my trip. (Ha, take that JPM!)

Long story short I got to NYC. The event was very fun, interesting, and helpful. All the partners were present on the weekend. Bella, Steve and Gilbert were all giving us their time, for free. Again, this is what I mean about giving to the trading community, caring about traders and such. Anyways, Bella agreed to hear me out, (Thanks Bella). I gave my pitch, thanked everyone for the event, and headed back to California.

At this point the only thing left to do was wait. So I waited… Again, I felt 50-50 on getting the opportunity. It was never a slam dunk. About a month or so later, I got an email from HR asking me if I could meet Steve in person for an interview. Down!!!

With my chase credit card already being maxed out, I asked my parents for the flight. My parents, along with my best friend Will are extremely supportive of my career as a trader. I practiced hard for my previous interviews, but that was nothing compared to this one. I was ready for this.  On the plane I slept none. I had been practicing for the past 4 days for my interview, but stayed up for 36 hours until I met Steve, practicing how to say what I needed to. I prepared my whole last audited quarter from Gladitor Capital, knew my trades inside out, knew my set-ups, my strengths, weaknesses, knew what was in-play for the day, knew that QCOM provided an opening drive play off AT&T and T-Mobil merger news and put all this in a beautiful folder. When I got to SMB I was filled with energy. I said “Hi!” to everyone who walked past me. Talked to the others who had interviews and waited to speak with Steve.

Finally I spoke to Steve, I was well prepared. Steve was very nice, yet made sure  to ask some questions related to my previous trading. I did fine. Shook hands, thanked him for his time, and headed back to California.

A few days later, HR contacted me for an interview with Gilbert. This was a phone interview. (Thank you HR for your mercy :D). When our phone interview came it went very well. A few weeks later I found out I had been accepted for the summer.

Wow, what an accomplishment. I have an opportunity to excel my trading by being surrounded with the very best. This is merely the beginning, but I have 90 days to hone my skill. I have no other obligations besides trading. I’ve been dying to dedicate every second to trading. Everything needed for a serious career is merely beginning.

Right now, I am getting prepared for my summer. Reading books, blogs, practicing visualization skills. Visualizing my success over summer, and working my trading. I also began boxing again. I doubt I’ll go back to competing amateur, but the early morning practices will exercise my discipline and help me diversify my goals psychologically.

I hope to be well prepared for the summer. My work now should put an edge in my training, which I hope will put an edge in my trading. I will do all my work as best I can, including all my internship duties. This is the very top. The bar is set high. I am just glad to have the chance to reach for it.

-written by Greg Magadini