How long are people generally at a fund?

I am currently interviewing with a mid size fund. 2 close friends and a friends father are in the industry and they say that the turnover is absurd. Even Bridgewater said that they have 40% turnover of employees within their first 18 months of joining if I recall correctly.

My issue being that I am not from a top-tier, more of a second tier bank. Is the turnover as bad as this sounds? I don't want to have to go back to square one because I don't have the experience at the bulge bracket backing me up. I know a great analyst can get hired anywhere, but having a brand name on your resume does help. I would like my next switch to be a stepping stone or career choice (eg 2-5+ years of working), then again it is the world of finance.

Thanks.

7 Comments
 
Best Response

Depends on lots of factors. Multi-manager models have high turnover (ex-SAC, Millennium, Citadel's Surveyor). Even the PM is gone if he doesn't show results in 2-3 quarters.

Single PM models depend on the PM's culture & mood, but usually are better. Small teams of 3-4 for many years, if the fund does well, almost 0 turnover.

Don't worry about your bank, it's about your fund's reputation after you join. With that said, I'd focus heavily on diligence of the PM & team.

 
SanityCheck

Depends on lots of factors. Multi-manager models have high turnover (ex-SAC, Millennium, Citadel's Surveyor). Even the PM is gone if he doesn't show results in 2-3 quarters.

Single PM models depend on the PM's culture & mood, but usually are better. Small teams of 3-4 for many years, if the fund does well, almost 0 turnover.

Don't worry about your bank, it's about your fund's reputation after you join. With that said, I'd focus heavily on diligence of the PM & team.

Wow. That seems very aggressive, 2 to 3 quarters? Is this for a particular strategy or size?

 

From what I hear Bwater has a very brutal culture and low tolerance for non-conformists, so it's not surprising that turnover is high there amongst new-hires, who are unfamiliar with the culture.

I would say at my HF, the turnover rate is pretty low amongst front-office guys (maybe 10% a year). Turnovers can vary. If compensation, work-life balance, and culture are good then there's less reason for employees to jump ship.

 

I think it comes down to culture and investment style. I'm fortunate to be at a place where people are very patient and willing to take above average volatility, so there is very limited turnover, but that is probably the exception rather than the norm in the industry. Wouldn't worry too much about having to go back to sell-side, as @SanityCheck said, the reputation of the fund is more important once you've made the move.

 

Doloribus cumque accusamus reiciendis dolorem dolores incidunt architecto. Autem sequi quam necessitatibus libero iste officiis. Quia qui eligendi omnis quae et ab quia. Ullam blanditiis ducimus provident corrupti aliquid et numquam.

Sed aut voluptatum optio sed velit eveniet. Fugit sed perferendis voluptatem. Minima cupiditate dolorem excepturi cupiditate. Et qui corrupti aliquid aut. Quia sed enim aspernatur.

Unde repudiandae nulla totam totam nam dolor eaque. Corporis rerum non in nesciunt quia placeat. Ea ea quis vel quod doloremque. Non similique voluptatum officia tenetur ullam sint ipsa.

Accusamus et nihil omnis nobis soluta. Nobis sed necessitatibus accusamus accusamus quo consequatur enim. Consequatur doloribus ut in aut. Illo dignissimos dolorem maiores recusandae maxime et ut officia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (235) $177
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”