SWE Facebook/Google vs Fast Growing Startup vs Citadel

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czpj54

New

czpj54
Oct 13, 2020 35 Comments

To those who have worked at Citadel and other companies: How do you view this decision? I have an offer from Facebook/Google and I'm 3.5 years out of college.

Some info: I'm about to start the interview process and I don't care about WLB to a degree for at least the next few years. I have heard from my recruiter that my TC based off of my experience could be around 400k at Citadel Hedge Fund (NXT) which could be almost twice of Google. My longterm goal probably isn't in finance (though I'm not sure) and I feel I may want to start something one day (which is why fast growing startup could be a good place to learn stuff). I've heard of people not feeling like first-class citizens but I find that hard to believe given how high the TC is now. Do the stories of 2018-2019 still hold true today? 50 hr/week that I've been hearing is really not bad -- I would prefer to work hours like that especially if I get twice the pay. Would the move back to silicon valley in 2 years be fine? Or would that be bad to think about?

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TOP 35 Comments
  • Google
    borgmon

    Go to company page Google

    borgmon
    With 3.5 YOE your Google offer should be close to (if not more than) 300k with competing offers. 300k Google is much more worth it than 400k citadel, especially if you count WLB, refreshers, and stock appreciation
    Oct 13, 2020 19
  • Google
    well then

    Go to company page Google

    well then
    Don't listen to others. Go to Citadel. If you get fired within first year, you will then have 4.5 YOE and can interview at L5 at F/G. If you don't get fired, your TC will scale much faster than anywhere else.
    Oct 16, 2020 0
  • Google
    pGdw231

    Go to company page Google

    pGdw231
    fb. GG is for slackers. Zero career progression. It’s bad to waste of your life in early career.
    Oct 18, 2020 0
  • Red Hat
    C. Leclerc

    Go to company page Red Hat

    C. Leclerc
    If you really think the startup is fast growing and it’s the next snowflake go for it. If you’re not sure and want guaranteed TC, then FB.

    You can get into Citadel easily if FB doesn’t work out, and to reap maximum benefits with citadel you got to be atleast 5+ in experience imo. Well if you want to take it a bit slow nothing beats G.
    Oct 26, 2020 5
    • Google
      Google L4

      Go to company page Google

      Google L4
      Interesting, I agree that citadel’s on-site questions seemed easy but I didn’t get an offer lol. For citadel securities, however, their questions were challenging and notably harder than Google’s
      Oct 26, 2020
    • Red Hat
      C. Leclerc

      Go to company page Red Hat

      C. Leclerc
      Easier questions make it harder to crack as the room for error is minimal. I was under the impression that Citsec had easier interviews. But oh well, maybe Citadel would’ve been even easier.
      Oct 26, 2020
  • Vastek / Eng
    hhnj66

    Vastek Eng

    hhnj66
    Having a FANG name in your resume also matters. So even if Citadel gives you a higher pay having Google or FB on your resume will ensure you get a big bump on your career.
    Oct 16, 2020 0