Trending Content - Job Search Advice Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
November 30, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
it was all fit. You should do some research to learn about the various groups in the firm. Nothing technical first round. Second round is where things get fun.
Citadel Phone Interview, Science Background (Originally Posted: 01/23/2014)
I am a chemist trying to get into the industry and I have a phone interview with Citadel next week.
Will it be all behavioral/fit questions in this preliminary interview? From what I heard, Citadel can be quant-focused so should I brush up on my programming skills and statistics knowledge? Or would my time be better spent focusing on technical questions, pitching a stock, etc?
I would greatly appreciate any insight/tips on what to expect. Thanks in advance.
Do you know if it's FTAP? QR? ITAP?
Do you know if it's with HR or someone else?
I had contacted an HR person expressing my interest in an analyst position in Global Equities or Research & Trading (thought my chemistry PhD would be helpful in doing equity research or something similar; am also interested in trading). My resume was eventually passed on to another HR person who wants to talk to me for about 30 min or so. I believe this other person recruits for QR. Not 100% positive on that, but it appears that way after Googling them. I'm thinking it's for either ITAP or QR.
Thanks again, would appreciate any advice.
Hmmm. So your chemistry background is a little unique in trading.
I've had some friends interview there, but it's mostly guys with CS, Math, Finance, or ORFE backgrounds. They got hit with programming and stats problems. I suspect you should expect fewer programming questions (unless it's on your resume) but instead focus on the stats and probability stuff.
If it's not HR, it probably will be a technical interview. I'm just not sure what they're going to throw at you.
Have you taken a graduate statistics class?
I have not, only undergrad level stats
Pariatur aut ut ipsa optio est doloremque. Sunt sed numquam consectetur repudiandae aliquam voluptas ab. Et ipsa ut sunt recusandae quis voluptate nihil debitis.
Eius et et amet voluptas. Vel eaque laboriosam saepe ut velit.
Quam et quam possimus omnis aut est nihil. Non cum ipsa nihil ut mollitia sed aperiam. Magnam pariatur dignissimos suscipit nihil adipisci et. Sed est maiores aut reprehenderit.
Est deserunt distinctio veritatis aut. Dicta et eos esse molestiae rerum. Velit voluptatum aut dolores rerum doloribus expedita facere neque. Fugiat earum et tenetur voluptatem et nam. Ut rerum laborum ut non voluptate nihil. Quis impedit tempore ipsa eligendi quidem nulla laborum.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...