What Do I Look For During Interviews?

I'm new to finance. I am a software engineer working for a tech startup. But I want to switch to a hedge fund for an increase in compensation and more stability. I have interviews with a wide range of funds from big names like Millennium and Point72 to smaller funds. For the smaller funds (<50 people), what should I try to find out? I don't want to join a place that is unstable. How do I assess if the fund knows what they're doing or not?

I would like to move into a systematic trading fund at some point where software engineers are more "front office" and important to the trading team. For now, the places I have lined up are more fundamental research type of places.

197 WSO Academy Hedge Fund Session Reviews: 4.78/5

Class of '29 Sep 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Hedge Fund LinkedIn Review

“My meeting with Kevin Lee was super helpful and went well beyond what I originally expected. We met to discuss my LinkedIn profile, but the conversation also covered the hedge fund space and how I’m thinking about my career as a whole. I really appreciated being able to talk about both how I present myself professionally and the broader direction I want to take. As someone interested in hedge funds but also exploring other paths in finance, it was helpful to have a conversation that connected my profile to my actual interests and goals. Kevin gave me a lot to think about, and I left feeling clearer about my next steps. Overall, I really appreciated his time and willingness to go beyond the original purpose of our meeting.”

Class of '26 Sep 2026 Cohort

4.56/5

Hedge Fund Mock Interview

“He was very responsive and prepared for the meeting. He actually read the JD, resume, and looked up linkedin which sometimes other mentors doesn't actually go over those to prepare things beforehand. I appreciate his direct comments I think it saved time and actually helped me to know exactly where to improve. I also appreciated him admitting if he doesn't know about specific HF strategy. Only thing I'd suggest for him is probably sending actionable key takeaways after the meeting because other mentors did and that was very helpful. ”

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+21	3x SWE FAANG Intern -> Fundamental Analyst @ HF	13	1d
+19	AI/job update	5	18h
+18	Want out - next steps	2	8h
+13	Fund 1 8%, fund 2 5%, when will fund implode?	6	8h
+9	CorpDev -> HF?	0	2h
+3	Castle Hook Partners	0	6d
+3	Disclosed non public fund performance to a headhunter	3	1d
+3	Dragoneer	1	2d

1	redever	99.2
2	BankonBanking	99.0
3	kanon	99.0
4	Secyh62	99.0
5	Betsy Massar	98.9
6	dosk17	98.9
7	GameTheory	98.9
8	CompBanker	98.9
9	DrApeman	98.9
10	Mimbs	98.8

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What Do I Look For During Interviews?

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What Do I Look For During Interviews?

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