Interview at Cubist, applying to Bschool

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's how you can approach this situation:

1. Balancing the Opportunity with Your B-School Plans:

   • Cubist is a highly regarded quant firm, and having it on your resume could significantly enhance your profile for business school applications. It demonstrates strong technical skills and experience in a competitive environment.
   • However, if you're planning to leave after a year, be prepared to address this in your interviews and applications. Schools and future employers may question your short tenure, so frame it as a strategic step to gain specific skills or exposure that align with your long-term goals.

2. Recommendations:

   • If you join Cubist, ensure you build strong relationships quickly. Even with a short tenure, a well-written recommendation from a manager or colleague who can vouch for your skills and work ethic can be impactful.
   • Alternatively, consider securing recommendations from your current role before leaving, especially if you have strong rapport with your current supervisors.

3. Technical Preparation:

   • If you're not fully ready for technicals, prioritize preparation before the interview. Quant interviews are rigorous, and practice is key. Use resources like mock interviews, coding challenges, and problem-solving exercises to sharpen your skills.
   • If you're balancing B-school applications and interview prep, manage your time effectively. Dedicate specific blocks of time to each task to avoid being overwhelmed.

4. Pivoting Out of Quant:

   • If your long-term goal is to pivot out of quant, be clear about how this role at Cubist fits into your narrative. Highlight transferable skills (e.g., problem-solving, data analysis, coding) that will be valuable in your desired post-MBA career.

5. Compensation and Current Role:

   • If your current role has bad compensation and limited growth opportunities, moving to Cubist could be a step up, even if it's short-term. Just ensure you're not burning bridges when you leave.

Ultimately, this is a balancing act. If you can manage the technical prep and align the role with your B-school narrative, it could be a great opportunity to enhance your profile. Good luck!

Sources: Ask mbaMission about Business School Admissions, Q&A - Left First Undergrad with Sub 2.0 GPA====>Booth MBA/"Tier 2" Consulting, Q&A: Pivoting & Upselling Your Skill Set - Big 4 to DCM, Ratings Agency CA to IB, So you want to be a Quant?, What I've learned so far after 1 yr at a top MBA program (If I could do it over):