First Derivatives Reviews

Pros

There are plenty of different project which help you develop your skills in different areas

Cons

Very little chance of promotion if you don't know the right people.

Pros

The only pro that comes to mind is the potential to add tier 1 banks onto your CV, this is ultimately pot luck however as you have no say in what companies you work for or what you end up doing.

Cons

HR - Where to begin with this one, could be here all day. I've been with the firm for two years and have had one conversation with HR about my progress at the one year point. Weekly reports are a joke, no one reads them. I raised many issues with my project and week after week they are ignored, don't bother filling them in. The CMTP programme that is so highly advertised by FD is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, people with zero financial experience can breeze through the entire course in about two weeks as you're given a cheat sheet on the first day by lads already in the company. HR know they exist but pat you on the back for getting them done and lick their lips because they can sell you to clients because of your newly found control F skills. The opportunity to travel is also a charade, you've entered a lottery by signing on and fingers crossed you get that 1 great project. For anyone else like myself you'll get shipped out to do tasks banks couldn't be bothered getting their permanent employees to do in Belfast or Dublin. My experience has consisted of copying and pasting files and filling out excel sheets for the grand majority of my two years. I graduated with a finance degree and have not had to use anything I've learned at all during my time at Uni, a monkey could do my job. This whole job really is luck of the draw and it doesn't matter what your degree is, what experience you have. They'll send you anywhere they can to start earning the £££££ and wash their hands of you once you're on client site. If you kick up a stink, scream loud enough and prove to be that much of a nuisance to HR they'll offer better roles ,I've seen it happen but good luck. Theres a 3 month notice period if you want to leave which is 3x longer than any other firm and also a 5 grand penalty or 2.5 grand penalty if you want to leave within your first or second year in the grad programme respectively. The business model here is simple, advertise highly decorated grad students to employers at a cheap rate, pay them buttons and spit them out after the two years. The employee turnover is so high for a reason, there is no opportunity for growth past your two years. Use FD as a stepping stone if you must but don't overstay your welcome if you have any crumb of ambition.

Pros

Great starting opportunity for grads, gives the possibility of working abroad and doing some travelling while getting your career off the ground. FD can be a great experience but to make sure you get the right side of the coin have to make yourself heard and be confident.

Cons

Communication from HR can be poor.

Pros

Full expense package including accommodation, food, travel etc.

Cons

Poor salary review process, lack of communication from Management downwards.

Pros

Progression, Education support, Excellent Grad programme

Cons

Could be more project options outside the financial services industry