Hi all, Currently 1 YOE based in NYC, one opportunity that is very enticing to me is SWE at a HFT. I have a couple Qs that Id appreciate some insight on. 1) would I be able to reasonably get interviews at these companies (Two Sigma, Citadel, etc) with ~2 years at Cap One on my resume? Let's assume I have no referrals/connections. 2) do I need C++ experience on-the-job, or is it enough if I study/learn it on my own? TC: 130
Assuming only undergrad? Where and how well did you do? With just 1YOE that will factor in.
By this do you mean GPA or internships matter? Or the school you went to?
Total fuckup in undergrad and 0 internships, would dread to put my gpa on the resume. Currently 1 year out of undergrad, would prolly apply after a year or 2 more at Cap One. Do you think gpa + internships would be looked at 2 years out? Edit: that said, went to a decent school that I think wouldnt hold me back too much (vandy, duke, emory type of school)
Probably wouldn’t be considered for a c++ role of you haven’t used in on the job but like others said, there are lots of non C++ jobs
FWIW, in the current market I’ve found that you won’t get an interview without a referral. I had one for Two Sigma but got rejected. Jane Street told me to GTFO without an interview.
Bad GPA at Emory or Vandy (let’s be real you didn’t go to Duke), first job Cap One… I’m gonna be honest with you short of winning Google Code Jam (which is going away) I don’t see what you can do to get in.
I received an interview at 2S several years ago with just 4 months of experience at my first job and 1 internship at a startup. Went to a state school, and I cold applied on 2S's website. Anything is possible - just need a little bit of luck. However, the job market these days is really competitive, so it's definitely a lot harder now.
One data-point: I got interviews at the following places for hft positions with 1 yoe. Had C++ experience, left off gpa: 3REd, Akuna, GTS, Headlands, Millenium, Optiver, Two Sigma, Virtu
Did you have anything else notable on your resume? Was it through a headhunter?
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It’d be tough as hell in a good market, probably extremely tough in this market. But try your best anyway to get a referral. To your second point, plenty of postings for hft in nyc dont require C++
Tyvm for the insight. Also good to know that not all roles require C++