[Photo:  Consumeraffairs.com]

The 4th quarter is usually a time for trimming rather than recruitment on Wall Street, but maybe, just maybe, after 2 consecutive quarters with positive earnings there might be a change in attitude toward hiring.  But most bank CEOs have been heralding how they managed to produce stellar results with fewer people in these divisions. That said, is anything on the upbeat? 

According to Mike Karp, CEO of Options Group, a recruiting firm:

• There’s a little bit of activity on the buy side, with demand for quantitative skill sets and backgrounds – quants, HFT candidates and data-scientists. 
• Banks are bringing on candidates with experience in rates, e-trading, sales and traders who are proven ‘alpha-generators’ – e.g., former bankers and B/D professionals who have gone to work in hedge funds but want to return to the sell side.
• On the sell side, many hiring managers are waiting to see how the 4^th quarter plays out before making any concerted hiring efforts.

Robert Guglielmo, director of financial staffing at The Forum Group, said:

• It seems like things are getting better and WS firms are filling more jobs - with compliance and regulatory positions in demand.
• There's always a need for good auditors to work for CPA firms, since there is turnover due to employees moving to the corporate side of ccounting.