Amplify Traders
Testimonials

Amplify Traders 

 

At Amplify we know our most valuable assets are our traders


 


           

   Trader of the month : December 2009  

      

     Jacobo Neil Gomez 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Background


Coming from a small family business background, I have been inspired by my parents and grandparents as day-to- day business decisions and problems were constantly discussed at home, from which I learned a great deal. In 2007 I commenced a BA degree in International Business with a major in Finance in London, degree from which I will graduate in December 2010.

 

It was throughout the last year at university, that I was introduced to the magnificent wo rld of financial markets . I undertook a subject, Financial Risk Management, where our final piece of coursework was aimed at designing a profitable trading strategy for operating on the FX- AUD/USD market.  Digging deeper into the matter, I realised that I wanted to evolve into a professional trader as a profession. I then embarked myself on a learning phase (one which I am still in, and will be for much longer to come) where I basically read and studied all I was able about the markets.

 

Joining Amplify Trading has really been the stepping stone to starting a career in trading. From the first day, all their mentors, Piers, William and Zee to name a few, bombard you with continuous market updates, critics/comments about certain trades and your personal trading strategy as a whole. To the extent where there is not a single day where I leave the session without having moved one step further in the learning curve.  Not only receiving support from amplify mentors, but also from another trader at amplify that started the programme earlier this year. As he has been through the learning cycle recently, Alejandro, has been able to assist and inspire a lot of confidence in my trading in order to overcome the natural trading beginners problem, Overtrading.

 

Life as an Amplify Trader

 

In terms of day-to-day action plan it is all pretty much standardized. Mornings from 08:00 until 11:30 I frequent the fitness centre. This part of the day has become absolutely vital. Throughout the training session I mainly use this time to recap my previous day's trading, considering what areas of my trading skills require some attention and improvement as well as compiling a positive mentality and attitude towards my trading session to come later on in the day.

 

My short-term future is to continue with the day-to-day opportunity of learning with Amplify Trading. In order to become a consistent "profitable trader". As Mark Douglas, quoted in Trading in the Zone, "consistency is a state of mind that has its core certain fundamental thinking strategies that are unique to trading"

 

 

Other Trainees At Amplify

 

mary at amplify trading

Mary Hernandez

 

Office Location: Remote trainee from home since 3rd August 2009.

University: Birkbeck College University of London, MSc. Financial Engineering, Pontifical Xavierian University - BSc. Industrial Engineering

 

Why did you chose do pursue a trading career?

 

I've always been attracted to study subjects that turn out to be fairly male dominated; I studied Engineering and I was always interested in trading so chose this as my future career path.

 

Why did you choose to undertake the program at Amplify Trading?

 

I think what most attracted me about Amplify Trading was the fact it was created in the middle of the credit crunch and the entrepreneurial spirit of its founders.

 

What does a typical day as a trainee trader involve?


I am doing the traineeship on a part-time basis which fit perfectly with my schedule. In the morning before I start work I check the economic diary to see if there are any important data releases and to get an idea about the level of action in the market during the day. I trade between 6pm to 9 pm, a period with high volatility in the E-S&P which offers good opportunities for an intra day trader.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a remote based trader?


There are more advantages than disadvantages; what distinguishes the remote trader programme is:
- Knowledge and experience: the mentors know what they are doing.
- Flexibility: anytime and anywhere.
- Technology: real time information, easy to access and to use.
- Customer orientated: Their traders are important for them. Despite trading only 3 hours a day; I have great support from the tutors and also from other trainees. It is a mixture of an academic and work environment with people from different countries and backgrounds which I really enjoy it.

 

How much prior knowledge did you have?


The course is designed in a way that anyone with interest in the financial market can do it, all that is requires is:
- The desire to become a professional trader, prior experience is not necessary
- A laptop and internet access.
- Time

 

What are the most challenging aspects of the programme?


From my perspective, I think the toughest aspect of trading is the fear of failure. If I look back 3 months ago, I have learnt what is called "Trading with Presence" which is similar to 'live in the now', when you focus and use 100% of your mind to do what you are doing, the probability of failure is minimal.

 

What distinguishes the trading program at Amplify from graduate role at an investment bank?


There was a gap in my career between the academic background and experience, the Amplify trading programme is an intensive, specific course with a flat management structure and team orientated model which offers you a great opportunities to learn which differs from any graduate role.

 


What advice would you give to those considering a trading career?


There is a reason why you are reading this article and I would like to advise you to:

1.Do what you love to do. People tend to postpone their dreams, and they never do anything to make them happen.

2. Don't work for money, it is a consequence of 1.
3. Think positive even in the credit crunch.
4. Be part of a company which shares similar values as you.

 

 

amplify trader

Langyu Gu

 

 

Office Location: Remote for the four months traineeship, successful trainees are offered a place on the trading floor, Canary Wharf, London

University: Imperial College, MSc Finance and BSc Mathematics degrees.

I joined Amplify Trading as a proprietary futures trainee trader in September 2009 after graduation. I trade the S&P500 which is the most accurate barometer of the US economy.


Trading Day:

10:30 am: I start the day by reading emails of economic reports and articles from the firm's analyst.

 

12:00 PM: I go through previous day's activity on the Asian market in order to spot any significant news from China, Japan and Hong Kong, which might affect the US market.

 

12:30 PM: Morning call with the Head of Trading: we are prepped for any significant market news to be aware of during the day and told about important economic data release announcements. I set up several technical tools such as resistance/supporting levels, trendlines and Fibonacci retracements.

 

1:00 PM: I set up the trading platform, virtual trading floor (where the traders share information and comment on the market) and turn on CNBC news. Meanwhile, I prepare for the economic data releases and memorise them so I can quickly spot the difference when the data comes out.

 

1:30 PM: Trade on economic data. I start recording my trades in order to use as a reference when reviewing my day's progress with my mentor.

 

2:30 PM: U.S market opens. I start trading the morning session and keep my eye on dollar and oil, keeping up to date with news throughout the day.

 

5:00 PM: U.S lunchtime: We usually take a break while volume is low or work on trading theory and fundamental teaching sessions.

 

7:00 PM: Start trading the afternoon session; this is when volume generally picks up significantly.

 

9:00 PM: Closing bell: I write my trading report diary and summarise my trading records in my daily review with the Head Trader.

 

 trainee

Martijn Van der Linden

 

Office Location: I work from remotely, recently relocated to the Swiss Alps.


University: Tilburg University, MSc Business Administration

 

Why did you decide to undertake become a trader?


I started my career as management trainee at a global bank as it offered me the possibility to gain international management experience. I worked across Europe and although my experience was invaluable, I also experienced bureaucracy, politics, a lack of responsibility and mediocrity among colleagues. I like to act quickly, take responsibility and to strive for the optimal result. Unfortunately my working environment was often different so I decided to quit and look for a new challenge. I had always been interested in trading so I decided to look in to it. Amplify Trading's remote trading program gave me the idea to combine trading with living in the mountains; I can now combine my enthusiasm for the markets with my love of mountain sports!

 

What characteristics and skills do you think make a good trader?


A range of skills are used by traders: logical thinking, acting quickly, decisiveness, creativity, taking responsibility and being able to work under pressure. Traders must also have a keen interest in the world economy and geopolitics, but above all be self motivated and be quick learners.

 

What are the best things about the programme at Amplify Trading?


Amplify Trading have extremely professional traders, we are mentored by senior mentors of 8 - 10 years solid trading experience, the coaching and educational support has helped me to develop my trading skills and knowledge.

Working remotely is a great feature of the training. You are treated like an adult and must be mature enough to dedicate yourself to the training. I get feedback on my trades instantly and am encouraged to ask questions. There is constant banter about the markets in the virtual trading room so you have colleagues but can skip the commute to the office. For me, the combination between an active outside life and learning trading from experienced traders is perfect. There are a lot of similarities between trading and mountaineering: you make the decisions; you can't blame others for failing.

 

 

 

 

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