Market Data Analyst

The first step of the interview process was doing a video response through Bloomberg's video interview system. Questions included "Why Bloomberg, why this position, Do you follow the markets, what programming language do you use?" After the video response, I was invited to super day in Princeton/Skillman, NJ. I was actually surprised because they invited me almost two months with no contact after I had done the video response so I assumed I did not get to the next step. The assessment day started at 8:30AM with a 20-30 minute introduction into Bloomberg and the products that are offered. After that, the group of candidates had about 30 minutes to talk to a current analyst about his day to day life. Then, the candidate group was walked upstairs to an office to hold a group debate. The group of candidates was split in half and given a specific side of the debate to argue. The topic of the debate was "Should Uber continue to develop autonomous vehicles?". Along with the topic, we were given a 3-4 page article to base our facts off of. Both groups had 15 minutes to formulate their arguments and then both groups debated for 15 minutes. I had no idea on how we were assessed so I tried to talk as much as I could. After the 15 minutes of debate was over, both groups were given 5 minutes to come together to reach and present a conclusion.

After the group debate, we were required to do a technical test online that involved basic Python, SQL, charts, and a few brainteasers. The test had a time limit of between 30 and 45 minutes. I don't really remember. Some questions included were "Whats the output of this For loop, which data structure is correctly formed (XML), which chart would you choose to show a change in the time to bake cupcakes." One question that I was curious about was a probability question. The question was, "There are three treasure chests on a fragile platform, two are empty and one has treasure. You can only choose one chest to pick up because the platform will collapse. You start to pick up one chest when a parrot lands on another chest and states that one is empty. Should you change your choice to the only other chest?"

After the skills test, we then had a workflow process interview with an analyst. The analyst gives you Bloomberg's data acquisition process for two different types of data and asks "How can you make these processes more efficient?" There was also one other analyst spectating and taking notes. Be mindful that the main analyst will critique everything you say and even push back against your ideas. This was surely the most stressful part of the super day and it is likely why I did not make it to the next interview. After the one on one interview, you are allowed to eat lunch with the candidate group and talk to two other analysts for about 45 mintutes - 1 hour to discuss the role and expectations without any oversight of the HR manager. Ask any relevant questions you have within reason because the two analysts were really honest. The Skillman office has a mini cafeteria downstairs and the food was pretty good. This was pretty much the end of super day and all the candidates left afterwards. Bloomberg did not allow any notes or name tags to leave the building.

There is not much you can prepare for this super day. Basic Python, SQL, and I suggest researching Bloomberg's data acquisition process. I believe the best thing about Bloomberg's super day was that they covered all travel expenses. My plane rides to New Jersey and back home, my hotel room for the night, and 4 uber rides. The 4 uber rides worked out perfectly because 1 was used to get to the hotel from the airport, one was used to get to the office the next day for Super Day, one was used to get back to the hotel to collect my suitcase, and the last one was used to get back to the airport for my return trip. They were super flexible when I came to crafting the travel schedule. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and it was not too stressful in comparison to past interviews.