HFT to Tech ?

New
golum23

New

golum23
Sep 11, 2021 25 Comments

Hi there, I have a very solid background in High Frequency Trading, but I am considering taking a job with a very cool pre-IPO startup in a different domain. Compensation at this point is similar but I would definitely be going from being an expert to being a beginner in the tech and domain. Has anyone made a similar transition? How did it work out?

Right now my perception that HFT is a tough, tough world and it seems, from the outside, the FAANG space is gentler, if faker, and perhaps equally or more financially rewarding.
#HFT #faang

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TOP 25 Comments
  • New
    ibVR02

    New

    ibVR02
    I made the move and I am genuinely much happier now.
    Tech isn't all rosy of course, but never regretted leaving hft.
    I definitely did have my fair share of doubts while leaving, but it worked out well for me.
    I still get calls from big name HFTs all the time, but never been enticed to retry as of yet.
    Sep 11, 2021 6
    • New
      ibVR02

      New

      ibVR02
      Yep
      Sep 11, 2021
    • New
      golum23

      New

      golum23
      OP
      Thanks, could you elaborate on why you are happier? I am glad to hear that you still get calls, as that makes me think the jump is reversible if it does not work out.
      Sep 11, 2021
  • Google
    djcnamc

    Go to company page Google

    djcnamc
    What do you mean that hft is tough now?
    Sep 11, 2021 1
    • New
      golum23

      New

      golum23
      OP
      Technically demanding, extremely high stakes, long hours, very competitive not only between firms but within firms as well, nasty non-competes, highly-secretive, etc.
      Sep 11, 2021
  • How is compensation similar if you’re going from expert in Hft to beginner in tech?
    Sep 11, 2021 7
    • New
      golum23

      New

      golum23
      OP
      My role is not junior, but I am a beginner in the tech and domain. Nevertheless, the startup seems to value my experience enough to overlook that.
      Sep 11, 2021
    • New
      golum23

      New

      golum23
      OP
      @Squarespace, no problem.
      Sep 11, 2021
  • Google
    djcnamc

    Go to company page Google

    djcnamc
    How are bonuses decided for hft? Is it based on overall firm performance?
    Sep 11, 2021 3
    • Google
      djcnamc

      Go to company page Google

      djcnamc
      Also can employees invest in the overall investment pool? So they participate in the company returns
      Sep 11, 2021
    • New
      golum23

      New

      golum23
      OP
      Partners can. I have not heard of non-partners being able to.
      Sep 11, 2021
  • Zendesk
    iCah61

    Go to company page Zendesk

    iCah61
    I was in HFT before writing algos and enhancing trading systems, and moved to tech long back.

    HFT has limited scope/opportunity, the place is too crowded, everybody is pretty much doing the same strategy (long/short), stratarb etc, also its near impossible to switch jobs within the HFT space as you also have to compete with the phds.
    Sep 11, 2021 0