It is only three decades ago, but things have moved on: looking at the recruitment video by Goldman Sachs of 1985, many a trading veteran will be reminded of how life used to be.

Traders behind a wall of screens (and not of today’s sleek flat version), with greenish quotes cast against a black background. The workstation covered by newspapers and documents, with a cup of sweet-tasting coffee sitting on top.

The traders communicate across the floor or via ancient telephones that some of us would barely recognize as such.

Smokers Welcome

And, this being the time before jogging and veganism caught on, the traders enjoy a cigarette – at their desk.

Goldman Sachs’ recruitment video, a historical document of some 10 minutes, provides a rare insight into how life used to be for a fixed-income-trader. That was how the U.S. bank tried to lure new talent.