Trading associate at Bridgewater

I have a phone interview next week for the trading associate role at Bridgewater for their asian market shift. I know the role is primarily execution oriented. Interested to hear from anyone who's interviewed for this role and what to expect. The HR lady told me that the guy will inquire about my "affinity for execution."

Also, any idea what compensation is like?

 

I went through this during undergrad, although for an entry level position

Phone screen for ~45mins, mostly fit and how you fit into their cult-ure. I would definitely reflect on whether or not you want a purely execution role, there is no decision making input whatsoever. I was little taken back when inquiring about liquidity/bid ask spreads etc, and the head trader directly told me the traders job is to follow "their" process, no idea what that means.

In person interview is the most bizarre thing you will ever be part of, with some of the strangest people. The format is a group debate lasting a 90minutes (IIRC) about the most irrelevant topic possible. There were also math tests: 60 second answer as many questions and a 30 minute one.

I didn't make it past the debate, and am glad I didn't. I heard comp is very good though.

 

Everyone I know that has ever worked there has quit and never looked back. The place is very fuckin weird, and as happy said those attrition rates should tell you something. Besides, if you were a prop trader, why would you even entertain the idea of execution? Also, if you hate Chicago, you are going to hate Westport, CT a whole lot more.

"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
 
JimmyDormandy:
Everyone I know that has ever worked there has quit and never looked back. The place is very fuckin weird, and as happy said those attrition rates should tell you something. Besides, if you were a prop trader, why would you even entertain the idea of execution? Also, if you hate Chicago, you are going to hate Westport, CT a whole lot more.

If I were to work there, I would live in NYC and commute to westport. There's a company bus that takes employees back and forth.

I actually like Chicago more than NYC now. My tune has changed a lot in the past year or so in this regard. Chicago is a cheaper, more manageable version of NYC, with an awesome lakefront, cleaner streets, and MUCH hotter women.

 
Brady4MVP:
and MUCH hotter women.

Because all the models and celebrities from all over the world flock to Chicago. Oh, wait...that's not Chicago, that's New York.

I never understand how people can say this. I love Chicago, but this is absolutely not true. Really not even debatable.

 
Best Response
Brady4MVP:
JimmyDormandy:
Everyone I know that has ever worked there has quit and never looked back. The place is very fuckin weird, and as happy said those attrition rates should tell you something. Besides, if you were a prop trader, why would you even entertain the idea of execution? Also, if you hate Chicago, you are going to hate Westport, CT a whole lot more.

If I were to work there, I would live in NYC and commute to westport. There's a company bus that takes employees back and forth.

I actually like Chicago more than NYC now. My tune has changed a lot in the past year or so in this regard. Chicago is a cheaper, more manageable version of NYC, with an awesome lakefront, cleaner streets, and MUCH hotter women.

The former employees of Bridgewater I know used to do this, and they said it was a huge mistake. Given your background, I would recommend trying to network into SAC or Tudor. PM if interested I may be able to help.

"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
 

Hey Brady my understanding from one of your prior posts is that you were mid/back office at your old fund. I dont think this role will help in reaching your end goal of becoming an investment manager. I think you are chasing the name brand and ignoring the role.

Unless you are financially unstable, I suggest you forget about the execution role, trade/invest your own funds and strengthen your apps for a top mba

 
alreadyrich:
Hey Brady my understanding from one of your prior posts is that you were mid/back office at your old fund. I dont think this role will help in reaching your end goal of becoming an investment manager. I think you are chasing the name brand and ignoring the role.

Unless you are financially unstable, I suggest you forget about the execution role, trade/invest your own funds and strengthen your apps for a top mba

No; I was front-office.

The phone interview is next week.

 

such chance is so precious .please cherish it with heart.because not anyone have such luck..

An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward, So when life is dragging you back with difficulties,just imagine that it's going to launch you into something great; Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers.Plant your own garden and decorate your ow
 

Jimmy is much more authoritative but I can confirm what he said from friends of mine.

In short you would be moving to NYC (more expensive) so you can have a long commute on a bus to a place where 66% of the people either hated it enough to quit or were fired in the first year.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
jec:
Brady4MVP:
Had the phone interview today. Total disaster.
How strange was the experience?

It was one of the most uncomfortable 30 minute time period in my life. I am mad that I could never get that time back.

Basically, some fobby indian guy was asking me questions like, "if you could describe your job at a party to someone who does not know anything about finance, what would you say?" or "if you had total control at your last company what would you do differently, and what metric would you use to measure your success?"

I answered the first question fine, but in the second one, he was giving me a hard time, and quite frankly his questions were very vague, and I didn't know what he was getting at. During the final part of the interview, I asked him about his career path and why he chose bridgewater. He replied in an angry tone, "why are you asking me this? why do you care?"

Overall, it was a total debacle. I realized I would much rather work at a solid chicago prop trading firm than at bridgewater as an execution trader.

 

I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.

At least you realized prior over the phone rather than waiting for the "group debate" portion of the interview.

"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
 

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I'm gonna get that bish some binary Bishes love binary --------- Kind Regards, Bin_Ban
 

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I hate victims who respect their executioners

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