Instantly rejected from HF internships?

Am entering my second year, and am naturally applying to internships. I got instantly rejected from both Point72 and DE Shaw. I know it’s hard to give feedback without seeing my motivational questions and CV, but looking for some feedback or some potential reasons for my rejection.

Background: Studying applied maths (Math/CS/Physics/Stats) at Oxbridge/LSE, got into (and converted) numerous spring weeks and have an interesting CV background (diversity of interest). Outside my CV, I have won a couple of hackathons, and built some interesting side projects (which I mentioned when asking application questions).

Any idea as to why I got auto-rejected? Admittedly, not sold on whether the HF/trading world is for me, but I thought that was the point of an internship programme…as mentioned, I have demonstrated at least an interest in learning more about it through side projects.

Thanks!

6 Comments
 

Congrats on LSE.

Jokes aside, the problem either lies within your CV (check formatting/wording etc) or that you didn't apply early enough. Assuming you applied quick and motivational Qs were okay, it is most definitely your CV. Do note that there is a luck factor involved in summer apps though, so don't beat yourself up too much, happened to all of us.

 

Thanks for the re-assurance. My CV is the same that has passed all the other screens, so I’m not convinced it’s the former. Perhaps it is the questions and I’m over estimating my ability to write convincingly.

One thing - I have some ‘key’ words written in white on my CV to try to trick some screening systems. Could it be this is being picked up by a new CV analyser (perhaps an AI one?) and leading to an auto rejection?

 

With how stringent and naturally how competitive HF is, I'd probably say your reason lies in the 'invisible' keywords. If you've been writing at the same level for other apps and been as convincing in person to convert Springs, I wouldn't say it's that. Just my 2c

 

P72 hiring for SA is very niche, they’re looking to fill an academy class and there’s only 5 spots in London. They like to take “interesting” candidates which can often include people with 0 finance experience they think can drive differentiated views. 
 

DE Shaw largely hires for quant/trading, they’re not looking for standard finance types.

Wouldn't think too hard about it, these are firms with very idiosyncratic hiring processes.

 

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