How to become a Hedge Fund Manager

How to become a Hedge Fund Manager Want to make a career out of hedging your bets? You should read this…A Hedge Fund Manager is an asset manager who specialises in reducing the risk of your investments, but without minimising the return.The hedge funds they create include a wide variety of assets and investment opportunities, including stocks, bonds, futures and unregistered securities.Hedge Fund Managers can work with large organisations, or individuals with significant assets, always aiming to bring profit, whether the market rises or falls.Typical duties for a Hedge Fund Manager may include:Researching and analysing the marketIdentifying the best assets for investmentBuying and selling assets, and creating investment portfoliosUsing leverage to increase returnsComing up with comprehensive forecasts and managing fundsMeeting clients, informing them of their options and providing adviceIs it right for me?Becoming a Hedge Fund Manager certainly isn’t a walk in the park. It’s one of the highest-pressure positions in the whole financial sector, but one which comes with great financial rewards. Salaries will vary, but generally run to six figures, not including the lucrative bonuses that come as extra.It’s also an incredibly competitive industry. You’ll need a real passion for the stock market and, ideally, experience in trading your own stocks to get started. This will help build the gut instincts and feel for the market to successfully back-up your decisions.Other key skills for a Hedge Fund Manager include:Financial acumenDedicationCredibilityConfidence and conviction/liReliability and trustworthinessCareer Progression? TraderUp to 50,000 Portfolio ManagerUp to 100,000 Hedge Fund ManagerUp to 200,000What's it really like? Becoming a Hedge Fund Manager is great, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. There’s a tremendous amount of pressure that comes with the territory, and you definitely need nerves of steel in order to be a success. You’re dealing with huge amounts of money and, not only that, you’re being entrusted to look after it on your client’s behalf. But that buzz you get when it all goes right is unbelievable. Especially as I take home a percentage of any earnings… Get qualifiedYou will need a good degree, preferably in a numerical discipline, in order to become a Hedge Fund Manager. An MSc may also help set you apart, although it may not necessarily be considered a pre-requisite.