Citadel performance expectations?

New
tttjdjd

New

tttjdjd
Mar 2, 2020 39 Comments

I am considering accepting an offer for a senior SWE (TC 550k), but I am scared to death of getting fired. I heard they fire a lot, especially in the first year.

Joining requires relocating me and my wife from California to Chicago, which means breaking my lease, selling my car, finding a new place, my wife sacrificing her current opportunity for me, and me quitting my current okish job. It would really be a big blow to my life and ego to be canned in a couple months.

I am not afraid of working hard and can probably tolerate 60h/week, but I am honestly scared of not being good enough even if I put in the time. I should be happy for this great offer I got, and instead I am terrorized...

Can anyone who has worked there tell me what got people fired in your experience, especially in the first year?

Thanks

Citadel Securities Citadel
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 TOP 39 Comments
  • Walmart / Eng
    afxdA37

    Go to company page Walmart Eng

     afxdA37
    Just go for it. 550k in Chicago is like 900k in bay. Also we are in volatile market, so hedge funds should have good years/months ahead. It's probably safer than you might think
    Mar 2, 2020 0
  • Citadel / IT
    LegoCode

    Go to company page Citadel IT

     LegoCode
    If you are smart, willing to do what it takes to deliver, can take few kicks, want to make money & have risk tolerance to understand that you are fungible like anything else. I would recommend that you take the plunge.
    550K in Chicago is significant money, that is hard to make at a lot of places.
    Mar 2, 2020 5
    • New
      tttjdjd

      New

      tttjdjd
      OP
      Thanks. I am on the verge of saying no, unfortunately the above is just too scary. I feel like setting myself up for failure.
      Mar 2, 2020
    • Citadel / Other
      idiosync

      Go to company page Citadel Other

      BIO
      Tech at a Chicago based hedge fund
       idiosync
      This is seriously ridiculous. If you can write a semi decent line of code and know how to draft an email, you are never getting let go. We can’t hire fast enough, and I have NEVER seen a decent engineer let go.
      Mar 4, 2020
  • Citadel
    personfin

    Go to company page Citadel

    personfin
    I think you need to take it. If it doesn't work out, you can always go back to 350k in the bay area. 550k in Chicago is a lot of money.
    Mar 2, 2020 4
    • New
      tttjdjd

      New

      tttjdjd
      OP
      Thank you for following up. It’s hard to define “if you’re good”, but I appreciate you taking the time!
      Mar 2, 2020
    • Citadel
      personfin

      Go to company page Citadel

      personfin
      No problem. You'll be fine. Nice job on the comp, I'm nowhere near that level. I guess it's time to interview to get an offer and counter offer.
      Mar 2, 2020
  • Citadel
    FwwO15

    Go to company page Citadel

    FwwO15
    Sub 1M TC is not that good for Chicago, I wouldn’t take such a low offer because it’s not worth the stress
    Mar 2, 2020 3
    • Snapchat
      QaH7er3PxL

      Go to company page Snapchat

      QaH7er3PxL
      Gotta start somewhere citadel man. OP might be making more than you in a couple of years.

      OP first thing, learn to isolate your ego from your managers opinion of your performance, that will do wonders for your career.
      Mar 2, 2020
    • Citadel / Other
      idiosync

      Go to company page Citadel Other

      BIO
      Tech at a Chicago based hedge fund
       idiosync
      WTF are you talking about? Sub 1 M is not good for Chicago? 90% of everyone is home by 6PM. Do you actually work at Citadel, there is not a single person I know that would say this.
      Mar 4, 2020
  • Lyft
    rightjoin

    Go to company page Lyft

    rightjoin
    Just google garden leave citadel. What’s ur current tc. If it is not that different don’t do it.
    Mar 2, 2020 1
    • New
      tttjdjd

      New

      tttjdjd
      OP
      350 (Bay Area) -> 550 (Chicago)
      Mar 2, 2020