I grew up in Australia and studied Economics, Finance and Art History at university. I was fortunate enough to visit Japan during my high-school years on a family holiday. I discovered the remarkable culture, language, and people of Japan and chose to do a year of Japanese study at university. I was attracted to Goldman Sachs after attending an information session at my university, where the presenters described the excellent work culture and high-caliber individuals at the firm. I was also drawn to the fast-pace and evolving nature of financial markets – no two days sounded the same! – and decided that a job in finance would offer me the best growth opportunities as a new graduate. I considered Tokyo my favorite global city and, when the opportunity at Goldman Sachs in Tokyo arose, I jumped at it.

I help institutional investors (eg. Hedge Funds and Global Long-Only Investors) buy and sell Japanese equities. I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I successfully help a client to achieve their desired outcome by finding the natural counterparty to a trade. I’m motivated to develop the strongest client relationships so that Goldman Sachs is the number one call that clients make when they need assistance. Equity sales trading is best suited to those who have an interest in financial markets, enjoy learning about listed companies, and work well in a fast-paced environment. It is also crucial for individuals interested in this space to have a strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, confidence working with clients and the ability to work well both individually and as a team player.

Sales traders are in the office before 7am to digest global overnight market moves, read GS research, identify key news items and determine potential drivers of the local market. The Japanese equity market is open from 9am to 3:30pm. During this time, sales traders will execute orders on behalf of their clients, continuously monitoring for any new developments that could influence price action. After the market closes, sales traders might publish market insights, meet with colleagues from other teams to discuss various financial products or spend time on individual projects.

Senior people at Goldman Sachs are readily available to talk to, learn from and share their unique experiences. When I was a first-year analyst, I was surprised that a Managing Director hosted a one-hour education session each Friday afternoon to share his knowledge and discuss markets. This summed up the culture of Goldman Sachs perfectly: no matter how senior or busy people might be, they are always willing to help others.

“People might not remember the specific tasks that you did for them, but they will always remember how you made them feel.” This is what I was told by my manager and still stands out to me today. While the granular details of tasks performed may recede from memory, the overarching sentiment and quality of the experience delivered will invariably leave a lasting impression. Always be kind, treat others with respect and operate with the highest level of integrity and you will create a fantastic network of colleagues and stakeholders who will support your career.

Living in Tokyo, I am fortunate that much of the country is accessible via bullet train. Weekends can be spent exploring new areas, learning more about traditional Japanese culture and customs, trying local delicacies and experiencing nature. I particularly love going to the mountains – for hiking in the summer, or skiing in the winter – and find it’s the perfect way to clear your mind and reset.