Hey guys, been reading the thread over the last few weeks and was dismayed by the total negativity of some people here. Obviously it's not going to be an easy year to get a front office job but theres still a lot of firms out there, you just need to cast your net a little wider. I've sent out about 30 applications so far (many to smaller market making firms, energy/commodity traders, hedge funds/asset managers) and overall have had a really positive response with 4 interviews so far and 3 outright rejections (Deutsche - intake full, Shell - application probably not tailored enough to them specifically, CQS - not currently taking on grads). I understand that a lot probably won't even reply and I've probably got many more rejections to come, but thats just the way it is.
I want to become a trader and believe as long as I manage to get in somewhere and start trading within a few years as long as you can prove that you are good then it won't matter too much where you started out. At the end of the day this is a completely results driven industry where the best people will rise to the top (not that I am at all saying that I am in any way the best person, before someone shoots me down!)
Anyway, best of luck to everyone with their job hunts, stay positive!