Why this desk
Definition · Level 14 · Markets & pitch
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Name what the desk actually does (the product, the flow, what you would learn) and why it fits you. Prestige and hearsay about profits say nothing about the work.
Example
“Rates flow puts central-bank risk in front of you all day.”
Where Tradecraft teaches it
Level 14 · Markets & pitch, in the lesson “Fit questions and recovering from a miss”: Answer “why trading?” and “why this desk?” with evidence, name a real weakness, and reset after a miss.
Related terms
- “Are you sure?”Often a pressure test rather than a hint that you’re wrong: re-check in one line, then hold a correct answer, or fix a wrong one without fuss.
- Fit answerA 30-second answer to “why trading?” or “why this desk?”: one specific reason plus one piece of evidence, not a rehearsed speech.
- Real weaknessA genuine, job-relevant flaw named together with the habit that fixes it.
- Recovering from a missAcknowledge the miss in one line, correct it if you can, and take the next question at the same pace; arguing, long apologies or slowing down cost…
- Backed upDesk slang for yields rising, so bond prices falling.
- CAC 40The Paris benchmark: 40 large caps listed on Euronext Paris, weighted by capped free-float market cap, base 1,000 at the end of 1987.