I have an interview with a hedge fund for a trading assistant position. Wondering what kind of things I should know. I'm an economics major, and this is a dream position for me, especially since I have had so many 1st round interviews this semester in recruiting but no final rounds, and I'm graduating this semester. Appreciate any help.
Oct 18, 2011
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From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship
“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”
definitely know what's going on in the markets, that's a given.
Anything else specifically though? I got killed at a high frequency trading interview a few weeks ago...I need this.
what type of product(s) does the traders/hedge fund trader? That will be able to help us answer your question better
Know key terms... be able to explain a derivative; swaps, options, futures, etc. What a muni bond is vs. equities. Know what a cusip is, how long it takes things to settle, T+3, etc. The very basics. Make sure your are familiar with key phrases and terms, if you don't know anything about a Bloomberg terminal, try to do some quick research on it so at least you can say your aware of what it is even if you've never used one before. What desk are you interviewing for?
Also make it very clear that your willing to do anything and to start on the bottom and that you want to learn the business from the bottom so that you have a broader understanding of how trades work... yada yada
Thank you xc48cross. Do you have any resources to learn the basics of some of these things that you said? I trade options and know a lot of these but would like to really brush up...I only have a few days to prepare.
To everyone else. They didn't say anything about what desk it is for. I'm pretty sure it is a small fund so this might be a kind of multi-faceted position. Any other things?
"I will suck your dick, no homo."
thanks to everyone but Metamorphosis...If you guys have anything else to add I would love to hear it.
This through OCR or do you have any contacts at the Fund?
I've been on a few TA/SA interviews throughout the years (both sell side and buyside) and they all have been very fit related. They always want someone who they can get along with, have a good time with on the desk while also trusting you to do the work. I would get basic technical questions (current market conditions/rates, bond valuation, definitions) along with system knowledge. Most important thing is to be well liked and show that you want this job more than anything. You will bust your ass from the bottom and understand what has to be done to break into the industry
My TA interviews have always been much more technical than my other interviews... buyside esp
Is this for an execution trading position? if so, I wouldn't expect many technicals.
This was through my schools career website, not OCR though. I honestly don't know much about the role, as the posting was very vague. I'll read up on basics, but the interview is in the next 48 hours, so I will have to hope they don't get too in depth.
Guys, How to ace a bank's trading assistant interview? (Originally Posted: 08/28/2013)
So I got an interview from a French bank regarding a trading assistant interview. Job descriptions be like: daily position reports, flash PnL, pricing exotic options, create VBA tools to provide traders with data, daily risk analysis. And they blackened "advanced VBA skills". Should I take extra care of common VBA skills in trading assistant world? I have never interviewed such position before. Any advice please? Thanks!
No different from a s&t nterview. Do a search, this has been heavily discussed.
Learn the ropes, be liked. Then you can work your way into getting a Series 7 license, and then your options should open up from there.
Well no use hiding it. You're interviewing at SocGen.
It all depends who interviews you but you will at least get basic option theory and pricing. They may make you code something, depending who you get. But other than that they'll just want to make sure you fit in with the crowd and can take a beating. Along with standard technical questions. But yea, it'll definitely depend on the person interviewing.
Thanks! I was just following rules here. People always say BB, target school, Top x.
I can't comment on SocGen but for other firms it really depends on who is interviewing you. Some will want to see your technical knowledge while others just want you to be a cool guy and fit in. Have all your bases covered
bases*
Typical S&T type interview (market related questions, brainteasers, mental math, why trading, and product related questions).
For this role, I'd also be ready for VBA tests or advanced level questions
Chicago Prop Firm Interview- Trading Assistant Role (Originally Posted: 07/22/2013)
Hey just looking for any advice regarding on upcoming interview I have with a Chicago Prop Firm (Marquette Partners). Does anyone have any insight on this firm? Also I was told the interview will have some mental math and critical thinking questions. Does anyone have have advice on what to expect with these questions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
//www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/technical-questions-in-trading-interview
I'm a ugrad senior in Chicago. I trade my personal account and I love it. Been considering getting a prop trading internship. I've read about and watched some of these and they seem really, really discretionary. They basically see whether they think you have what it takes and that they like you.
I've been fairly successful in my trading, but I could not tell you what some shit like 9,577/43 is off the top of my head. I hear they ask a lot of stuff like that...
Mind if I ask where you saw the opening?
www dot tradertest dot org
They're an OK market-making firm, dime a dozen in the Chicago prop scene.
Trading Assistant Interview: cumulative GPA or recent GPA? (Originally Posted: 04/03/2007)
What are the interviews like for a trading assistant? Also, do they usually consider your cumulative GPA or just your last 2 years?
If you're going for a position at an I-Bank, they are INTENSE.
My friends in S&T had experiences with "the newspaper interview" (Google it), and I've heard rumors about interviews where the interviewer asks you to open a window that simply wasn't designed to open. The guy/girl who gets the job, naturally, is the one who gets it open... by whatever means necessary.
Basically, you want- no, need- to come off as aggressive as you can. Do your best to be respectful, but if push comes to shove, remind yourself that you didn't get up at 5 AM to catch a plane to New York to have an interviewer read a newspaper in your face or to ask you easy questions.
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