Got ML SWE return offer from FB and still interviewing with Citadel quant. Just wondering if I should just accept the FB offer now since I hate living in Chicago and I heard it would be hard to survive at Citadel. But also heard that comp at Citadel can be way way higher. Any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance :) TC: 256k
Way way higher only if you're a quant, not SWE
Im assuming you are fresh out of college. If you land citadel quant expect 400k TC
That’s the only reason I’m still interviewing with them
Are you are a new grad? How did you prepare for fb interviews.. Leetcode count? I am preparing for fb and hence the question
I interned there this summer. Only did 200 LC problems or so last year.
What do you have to do to be a quant?
Coming from outside the industry, usually research in a highly technical field. Astrophysics PhDs are not uncommon.
What is a Quant please?
Anyone worked at citadel give insights on the culture ?
SWE including quant at citadel are 2nd class citizen. 1st class citizen is PM, portfolio manager.
Misinformation
Citadel is a horrible place to work. Stressed out employees, culture of fear and throwing people under the bus. I heard from an employee that they don't allow headphones anywhere on premises because the ceo once couldn't get the attention of someone who was listening to music.
Seriously? I can’t work without headphones
This is just completely false.
Great comp though, that's been confirmed.
I have worked in the quant finance space (in Chicago) and had a friend in Citadel. Can confirm the culture is competitive in a bad way. It's basically a sweatshop.
Should try other HFT firms too! Citadel prob gives the highest base, but if you are confident in your abilities, look for firms with great bonus structure. Really good first year quant traders can make >$500K TC in a year where market is volatile. Citadel and Virtu prob have the worst culture.. the rest are nowhere near as toxic. A lot of people really love the HFT culture w radically transparent non-personal feedback system Quite a lot of ex-FAANG SWEs r in HFT. The main reason they cited for leaving FAANG: - boredom at work aka no exciting project - more politics than actual work What they like the most about HFT: - the constant intellectual stimulations - excitements from risks-reward trade-offs What they dislike about their HFT jobs mainly: - it doesn’t feel purposeful as in no one’s life besides their own was improved by their work
Highest base is actually Jane street and second Hudson River trading :)
Thanks for the insights!
Terrible because of the WLB/work pressure/difficulty to switch back to the traditional tech industry? Could you elaborate on that please?
Why are they terrible ? Sounds like a very ignorant comment