Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Trader Development Programme – known as the TDP – is a 2-3-year programme aimed at graduates with 3-5 years work experience. Tailored to your skills and aptitude, it’s designed to help you develop the skills and gain the experience required to build a successful career as a trader at Shell. 

The selection process involves the following stages:

Stage 1

To apply, you’ll complete a short online application form and submit a CV. You’ll then be invited to complete two online psychometric assessments, designed to test your numerical ability and logical thinking.

Stage 2

Successful applicants will be invited to a telephone interview with our trading assessors. This hour-long session will consist of a case study, and competency-based interview with motivational questions.

Stage 3

If you progress to the final stage, you’ll be invited to an assessment centre at a Shell office. You’ll take part in several individual assessments including an investment scenario, a commercial case study and a structured interview. Candidates will also have the opportunity to meet and network with people working in the trading businesses to gain a better understanding of the culture and career opportunities in Shell Trading and Supply.

We’ll aim to let you know within 48 hours of your assessment centre day whether you’ve made it on to the TDP. If successful, you’ll be allocated to a trading desk based on our business needs and your individual suitability. 

Given that the programme is tailored according to the individual’s current level of proficiency as well as subjected to individual learning style and pace, the duration will vary. However typically it would range from 2 to 3 years.

The Trader Development Programme aims to provide all the training and experience you need in order to achieve what we call ‘Trader Readiness’. You will not be expected to start trading until you reach this level.

We recognise that everyone comes with a different baseline of knowledge and professional experience but expect that all programme participants would be able to build the requisite skills to attain Trader Readiness within three years.

Shell has an end-to-end value chain – we source, refine and supply energy as well as trading it. Assignments are designed to let you see the breadth of our business; they could span operations and include a range of commercial activities.

Your Trading line manager will be the driving force in determining your assignments, as well as monitoring your performance and development during the programme.

As the programme unfolds, you’ll undergo assessments at appropriate junctures to evaluate your readiness towards achieving the required standard to become a fully-fledged trader. Formal assessment runs in tandem with regular performance reviews and informal feedback with your line manager. We will keep track of your performance, make sure you know how you are progressing and draw up relevant development plans to close out gaps.

We trade across a wide spectrum of product lines but, importantly, Shell is a fully integrated organisation. That means we don’t only trade assets – we also source, refine, produce and supply them. Add to that our global capacity and strong brand reputation, and it gives us an enviable platform from which to maximize opportunities and increase our optionality.

Shell’s different market segments translate to potential opportunities to grow and progress across the organisation. Culturally, our focus on value generation across the entire chain creates an open and collaborative working culture, within and outside of teams, both regionally and globally.

There is also a strong commitment to training and development here, that you don’t always find in smaller trading environments. It means that exceptional performers can find opportunities for overseas postings/ assignments, as well as being developed as future trading leaders.

Whilst trading experience is useful, it’s certainly not a requirement to join the TDP. We look for men and women who bring us diverse professional perspectives, life experiences and educational backgrounds. We are open to receiving applications from talented individuals who demonstrate an appetite for trading and the potential we’re looking for. 

Traders have to be comfortable making critical decisions and taking calculated risks in a time-pressed and fast-paced environment. The market is very dynamic with constant changes, and you’ll be expected to quickly grasp the situation even if information is incomplete or ambiguous.

Traders need strong numerical and commercial acumen to identify good deals and create commercial value. They take interest in markets and movements, and have the intellectual curiosity to keep track of geopolitical and economic developments that could influence the market.

Being a team player is also important. Traders build collaborative partnerships with their stakeholders and team mates; they can leverage their networks and relationships to help them they can make the best trades at the right time.

Once you’re signed off as ‘trader ready’, you will be officially cleared to apply for junior trader roles. Subject to availability and business requirements, you may be placed into a trader role in the area/commodity you have gained experience in, or an alternative desk depending on business requirements. 

This is the start of your journey to developing deep trading expertise. Trading Managers will outline the competencies and experiences you need to focus on to continue to make progress. You can expect to be managing increasingly large books and interfacing with counterparties of growing status, complexity, value and risk.  

If an individual is not successful in completing the TDP, he or she will be supported to look for other more suitable roles within Shell.

If you were unsuccessful in your initial application for the TDP, you can re-apply in 12 months.

If your application was progressed and you were interviewed over the phone, you will need to wait two years to re-apply.

If you were progressed to the Assessment Centre and did not pass, you will need to wait three years until you can re-apply for the TDP.