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Automatic thought: 'Am I stupid?'

(Possible) Underlying beliefs/ assumptions:

  • 'I am stupid for failing a basic numerics/ verbal recruiting test, which does not test me on deep intelligence or hedge fund skills but rather just diligence, attention to detail, numeracy and preparedness.'
  • 'Not preparing for a recruiting test is stupid behaviour.'
  • I threw away such a good opportunity by failing the 1st point of entry of recruiting, which you SHOULD NOT fail because it is a waste.'

After identifying your automatic thoughts and underlying beliefs that cause those thoughts, you can gather evidence to the contrary to challenge those thoughts and beliefs. This will help you develop productive and healthy alternative thoughts, such as:

  • 'Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, failing a Citadel recruiting test does not define my worth as a person.'
  • 'I have achieved XXX in my studies and career, I am not stupid.'
  • 'Citadel is not the only good hedge fund out there, there are plenty of other funds that I can still recruit for, this is by no means the end.'

All in all, it's key to develop a balanced and holistic perspective on things, and develop 'gray thinking' (not black and white). This will not change your circumstances (for example, it doesn't change the fact that you got dinged by Citadel) but will change your mindset so that eventually, you can set yourself up to improve your circumstances (by remaining positive and eventually getting a job elsewhere)

 

Honestly, it's not. I go to therapy and I actively practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, this is the framework to think about your thoughts and reframe them. If it seems like it's written by ChatGPT, it's because I sometimes use it as a tool to sift thru my negative thoughts myself. But by no means invalid advice

 

Hi there,

I had an Associate asset management interview today and aced it but after I had to do a quick excel test/basic data formula's/manipulation for 15mins, I unfortunately got way too nervous and only completed half of it and just froze, as I did really well on the interview, would they pass me regardless? OR would they pass me and weigh the interview more than the test result? Or would they need a certain benchmark result for the test in order to pass me/even consider the interview?

Also, should I ask them if I can re-do it or shall I wait for them to come back to me and see what they say?

Please let me know your thoughts below.

Thanks

 

Don't take it personally.  Citadel (and most other good funds) reject the majority of candidates. Their interview process is not perfect. They frequently makes mistakes. It's quite possible they made a mistake by rejecting you. Lots of people get rejected but then re-interview a year later and get an offer, so clearly there's false positives.

Also, a lot of the hiring is based on philosophy and style -- the interviewer agrees the candidate is well-qualified but just wouldn't fit on his team (you see that in technology all the time where there's a trade off between "spend a year to build it right" vs "hack up a spreadsheet so we can start using it tomorrow" and both philosophies work, but whichever you choose, you need everyone on you team to agree with that approach). So getting rejected doesn't even necessarily mean they think you're unqualified. Could just be a style thing. 

You will be rejected many many many more times in your career. It happens. Don't take it personally. Tell yourself they made a mistake and move on the next company. 

 

yeah i should just go to vegas and play the slot machine all day like you guys do. very intellectually* gratifying.

 

Hi there,

I had an Associate asset management interview today and aced it but after I had to do a quick excel test/basic data formula's/manipulation for 15mins, I unfortunately got way too nervous and only completed half of it and just froze, as I did really well on the interview, would they pass me regardless? OR would they pass me and weigh the interview more than the test result? Or would they need a certain benchmark result for the test in order to pass me/even consider the interview?

Also, should I ask them if I can re-do it or shall I wait for them to come back to me and see what they say?

Please let me know your thoughts below.

Thanks

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Chill out. If I had a dollar for every hedge fund that rejected me, I would have started a hedge fund myself.

 

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