I've been working for a number of years in finance on high performance trading systems. I'm currently in a growing business line but remain extremely underpaid relative to the FANG salaries I see. I'm looking to make a switch soon. Am I fighting an uphill battle here, reputation wise? I'm concerned about getting low balled or even having trouble getting in the door because these industries are so different and my firm doesn't have a strong reputation for tech. Individually I've made significant contributions to my team, particularly around performance engineering but don't know if those skills will land for the average hiring manager dealing with mega websites. Anything I can highlight to stand out? For the record, I have considered most major tech companies, as well as some hedge funds and prop trading firms. Can make a lot of money at the HF and PTFs, but seems that these days you have to have GOOG, FB, AMZN on your resume to be taken seriously.
I have a friend that came from Dow to MSFT and had offers from Amazon. It shouldn't matter where you are coming from... just what your skill set is.
Op just curious what's your Tc?I thought HFT pays way higher than FAANG
Yeah I'm also confused, if you're doing high performance trading systems now you should be making more than FAANG, not less. What's your location and TC? I made the switch from HFT last year and expected to lose a lot, but ended up getting close to what I made before.
At an IB in NYC right now, not HFT. Hence the poor comp. If some of the recruiters I've spoken with are right, HFT (or PTF) would be probably be double my current TC. I'll probably be around 135k this year, with a step up after that due to promotion. 4y experience.
I see. Sounds to me that you're undervalued. You should be able to do much better both in HFT and in big tech, especially in NYC. Probably doing more interesting work too.
I came from Jane street
Hows the TC there vs tech companies?
No TC there, only THC. Totally high compensation.
OP, why don't you describe one of those performance enhancements that you are most proud of. I'll give you an idea of where you stand.
I suspect it doesn't matter if you've come from finance or a pig farm so long as you can do the job they want you to do.
If your biggest fear is getting low balled, get at least two offers. It makes it easy for the comp. approval process and the people involved. FANG companies or the likes are generally looking for smart people so getting the first phone screen is key. Get to know some people and get them to refer you; otherwise, you're just another paper in a stack. Also, you need to get used to the interview style and the questions; it's just what it is unfortunately. I'd be more worried about interview style at this point instead of comp at this moment. Why? Once they want you, it's like a market bid order hitting the order book. Good luck!
Op did you make the switch in the end? im on a similar boat now
OP - did you actually succeed in moving ? If yes - TC?
You won't know how good you are until you try.
I'm not concerned about my own ability, I know I can do the work. I am concerned about being overlooked/undervalued because I'm not coming from a direct competitor.
can you leetcode is what matters