Kieran
Coaching
I met Kieran just as he was about to graduate from the University of Manchester with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He had his heart set on working for Goldman Sachs as a proprietary trader, drawn by the pace, the pressure, and the promise of mastering risk in its purest form. While most of his classmates were still weighing their options, Kieran spoke with the quiet certainty of someone who had already chosen his path.
What Kieran Could Do to Maximize His Chances
To stand out for a role as selective as proprietary trading, Kieran needed to signal three things immediately: edge, credibility, and resilience.
1. Demonstrate real trading ability (not just ambition)
Goldman doesn’t hire prop traders for potential alone. Kieran could:
• Build and document a personal trading track record, even with small capital
• Show quantified results: Sharpe ratios, drawdowns, risk controls
• Articulate why trades worked or failed - process matters as much as profit
2. Speak the language of risk, not reward
Prop trading is about survival first.
• Frame experience around risk management, not returns
• Show comfort with leverage, stress testing, and downside scenarios
• Make it clear he understands that losing money responsibly is part of the job.
3. Tailor the CV like a trading thesis
His CV shouldn’t read like a graduate résumé—it should read like a pitch:
• Concise, data-driven bullets
• Clear evidence of decision-making under pressure
• No fluff, no buzzwords, no generic finance clichés
4. Leverage human capital, not just credentials
Goldman hires through trust.
• Network with traders, not recruiters
• Ask sharp, informed questions that signal preparation
• Be memorable for insight, not eagerness
5. Own his difference—strategically
Rather than hiding obstacles, Kieran could reframe them:
• Emphasize adaptability, focus, and systems-thinking
• Show how constraints sharpened discipline and preparation
• Let resilience emerge through results, not sentiment
Why This Worked
Goldman Sachs was impressed—and hired him.
Kieran didn’t just enter the firm; he earned his way into one of its most elite roles. He became their first quadriplegic proprietary trader, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios over an 11-year tenure. In an environment defined by pressure and precision, he proved that excellence is measurable—and unmistakable.
Today, Kieran applies the same mindset beyond finance. Drawing on his experience at Goldman Sachs and in Silicon Valley, he develops healthcare best practices using cutting-edge AI. His focus: designing ergonomic equipment that empowers disabled people like himself—tools built not from theory, but from lived experience and disciplined problem-solving.