Blackrock RQA interview
I have an on-campus interview with BlackRock RQA (risk and quantitative analysis) coming up. Has anyone interviewed with them? What kinds of questions do they ask first-round / final round? Thanks!
I made it to the BlackRock Superday (FT).
Brainteaser: 1st Round - Add up the numbers between 1 and 100. I replied, "is that inclusive or exclusive of 1 & 100." He was interested and said "both." I gave him both answers.
Superday - 1) If you could be an animal, what animal would you be and why? Thought this was a retarded question. 2) If you had to explain to a random stranger what duration was, how would you go about it? 3) In 5 sentences or less, explain to your 90 year old grandmother what the internet is?
Behavioral: The typical behavior questions. Tell me about yourself, run me through your resume, why BlackRock.........
TIP - My 1st round interview was on campus. Several days before the interview, BlackRock came to campus for a presentation. They thoroughly described each segment of Blackrock, who would fit in best, and the advantages/disadvantages. They were particularity looking to see if I attended and understood the group for which I applied for.
ihatetaxes, this helped a lot. my interview is oncampus as well. what specific things did they mention about RQA at your campus presentation?
Hmm, it would help if you could tell me if RQA was in GCG, FMG (I think this one), A&T, PAG, or Solutions.
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp;jsessionid=4299877…
http://www2.blackrock.com/global/home/Careers/WorkplaceandCulture/ADayi…
BlackRock RQA First Round Interview (Originally Posted: 01/29/2012)
I have an OCR interview coming up for BlackRock 2012 Intern - Risk & Quantitative Analysis. I am a sophomore, have only really prepared for ibanking interviews. what guides should i look at/type of questions should i prepare for? Would it help to look at IM guides? OR is this more probability?
Thanks!
I have a friend who works in RQA, and he said the most likely technical question anyone in RQA would ask right off the bat is "what is duration."
I would expect some mental math and probability, and just having a solid knowledge of the markets (Europe, recent Fed actions)...some stuff on where you think the markets are going in the next 6-12 months...etc
ok thanks! there's not much of a description of the position on the website...
Completely depends on the sub-group you'd be dealing with in RQA. I had one a few months ago for FT for an alternative asset class that got pretty quant
Know which group it is?
nope doesnt say :(
interview ques of BlackRock RQA (Originally Posted: 01/05/2012)
I will have a first round interview of BlackRock in a few days, can anyone give me some ideas
of the questions? I know it will be both technical and competency, but how technical it is? like
what is the difference between a bond and a stock as I found somewhere on the internet? it
is likely to be the case that I will have to write down some formulas?
and what will be a fresher doing in RQA during the graduate programme?
risk modelling?
Is there anyone could help me?
Thanks in advance
Take a look at the WSO of BIWS guides and mainly focus on your story and behavioral questions. At the end of the day...if you are a great fit and they like you, they will look past a few flubbed technical questions. As far as BlackRock specifically, I would look at their history and culture (know that they started as a sub of Blackstone and how they have developed into a powerhouse AM).
thanks Pike....
after searching, i am learning everything abt BLK, but still, i wanna know how does BLK differentiate from other asset mangers.. like PIMCO and State Street..., strategy? or they concentrate on ETFs?
Thanks in advance!!!!
Sample technicals:
How do you calculate tracking error and tracking variance? What's MCAR? How is MCAR and tracking error related?
If there's a portfolio with a significant volatility factor bet and the PM wants to cut to equal weight, what do you need to know to help him acheive that? How would you go about doing that?
What are style factors in the new Barra US Risk Model? How about the global model? What's the biggest difference between the 2? Is Barra a fundamental or macro model? Give me an example of a macro model.
Correlation's high in the market now. What effect does it have on calculated beta? What are ways to remedy that?
There are obviously a lot more questions that can be asked and this is tilted towards equity portfolio risk.. but just a sample of technical questions you could encounter
Thanks Bearcats, i will def look through this, would it look like FRM exam questions? thanks in advance
Depending on the subgroup, RQA interviews can get pretty quant-y. Which specific group are you interviewing with within RQA?
it is a graduate role, and it seems to have tech+fit question, but i think fit ques will be more... would it be a very quanty role?
Thanks in advance
BlackRock RQA associate (Originally Posted: 02/02/2014)
Hi,
Thank you for taking your time to look at my post.
Does anyone have any idea regarding BlackRock RQA Fixed Income Associate position? Such as interview questions, salary, bonus, what kind of specific tasks you do on a day-to-day basis, etc.
Anything helps! Thanks.
Did you end up getting an interview with them?
RQA at BlackRock (Originally Posted: 12/16/2015)
Is Risk Quantitative Analysis at BlackRock a difficult position to break into if you are not a quantitative or hard science major and is it a front office role? Can they transition into portfolio management down the line? How well compensated are they in relation to standard IBD? What can I do as a Finance major from a non-target?
I fished around for information and all I can find is that many of them come from target schools and have engineering backgrounds. But I'm assuming what they're doing is related only to calculating risk on certain investments made by portfolio mangers.. They're not actually making the trade themselves. So does that mean that they're not as well compensated in comparison to portfolio managers?
Ultimately I want to be a portfolio manager. I notice from linkedin that a few people have transitioned into that role. Others have made managing director by the time they're 29/30/31 within RQA. To me, making MD at that young age is remarkable...
But seeing so many being RQA makes me question how relevant this is to portfolio management and if I'll be able to make the switch; it also makes me question how particularly respected that role is. I mean most of these people seem like they're coming from a good school for science/engineering background. I have to assume that the compensation is worth it. Whether it's as much as IBD/PE is another thing.
Any help guys?
Also wonder
Why do you assholes need validation on an anonymous forum? If you have an offer, you've met a bunch of people on the team. Ask them about it or find people who used to work there and ask them if you're worried you're not getting an honest opinion.
If you don't have an offer, get an offer first then worry about whether or not you'll take it.
ok. sorry.
I have an idea. Let's just get rid of forums altogether and have people get information firsthand. Arguably, that would be the most fail-safe way to get information.
If it bothers you so much, then just ignore it moron. Maybe he's just checking all of his bases. Has it occurred to you he might have already asked but just wanted to make sure?
Anyone applying to rqa for this summer? Which stage are you in, ie just did the screening or got invited to the superday?
BlackRock RQA (Originally Posted: 03/04/2011)
I have the summer analyst offer from RQA (Risk and Quantitative Analysis)
How are the exit opps from this, going into full time recruiting this fall? Would it be classified as middle office, or is this particular group different? They definitely don't seem like sell-side bank's risk mgmt groups.
Goal is to be on the buyside, in portfolio mgmt in the long term. I just dont want to be pigeonholed as the "risk" guy.
How is the internal mobility at BlackRock?
You'll have to put your dues in, but it's definitely possible to move to PMG from RQA. RQA has constant interaction with the PMs, so just make sure to network and you'll be good.
I believe RQA is under PMG, check out the link below:
http://www2.blackrock.com/global/home/Careers/WorkplaceandCulture/ADayi…
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