Tech IndustrySep 20, 2019

FB or Citadel Quant

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

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Facebook edta OP Sep 20, 2019

Terrible because of the WLB/work pressure/difficulty to switch back to the traditional tech industry? Could you elaborate on that please?

Amazon crypto* Sep 20, 2019

Why are they terrible ? Sounds like a very ignorant comment

Volvo ascnrdrkly Sep 20, 2019

Way way higher only if you're a quant, not SWE

Facebook edta OP Sep 20, 2019

Yes I’m interviewing for quant

Volvo ascnrdrkly Sep 20, 2019

I'd definitely give it a shot then. Survive a couple years and move to a NY firm.

New
numaye Sep 20, 2019

Im assuming you are fresh out of college. If you land citadel quant expect 400k TC

Facebook edta OP Sep 20, 2019

That’s the only reason I’m still interviewing with them

Amazon bTze41 Sep 20, 2019

Are you are a new grad? How did you prepare for fb interviews.. Leetcode count? I am preparing for fb and hence the question

Facebook edta OP Sep 20, 2019

I interned there this summer. Only did 200 LC problems or so last year.

HBO gogogoy Sep 20, 2019

What do you have to do to be a quant?

Volvo ascnrdrkly Sep 20, 2019

Coming from outside the industry, usually research in a highly technical field. Astrophysics PhDs are not uncommon.

American Express vista133 Sep 21, 2019

What is a Quant please?

Zynga parott Sep 20, 2019

Anyone worked at citadel give insights on the culture ?

Facebook fOVF58 Sep 20, 2019

SWE including quant at citadel are 2nd class citizen. 1st class citizen is PM, portfolio manager.

New
numaye Sep 20, 2019

Misinformation

Workday Snowshit Sep 20, 2019

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.

Facebook edta OP Sep 20, 2019

Seriously? I can’t work without headphones

Citadel Securities bluetiger Sep 20, 2019

This is just completely false.

Workday Snowshit Sep 20, 2019

Great comp though, that's been confirmed.

EMC notax Sep 20, 2019

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.

Zynga parott Sep 20, 2019

Is this only for quants or swe as well?

EMC notax Sep 20, 2019

Both. But more for Quants because SWEs usually leave. 😅

United Airlines flyFUsky Sep 20, 2019

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

Jump Trading bUTP41 Sep 21, 2019

Highest base is actually Jane street and second Hudson River trading :)

Facebook edta OP Sep 21, 2019

Thanks for the insights!