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I recruit for quantitative hedge funds and have a fair amount of empirical data on background and skills one needs to be able to get that first interview. To answer the OP's question, no you absolutely don't need a background in finance to interview at a quantitative shop. Your Physics PhD...

Hi there. Yes, the CHA designation was one man's idea. Aren't most things? Here are a few resources you'd find interesting: 1. About Us | CHA Designation Team & Advisory Board -- if you know anyone, I'd just call them. 2...

Hi everyone. One of our clients in Chicago is interested in bringing some MFEs with 1-2 years of trading desk experience on-board. Here's how they described what they are looking for: * come from an empirical research background: e.g., Physics, Applied Math, Statistics, or Econometrics *...

Guys, couple quick points: 1. There is interest with regards to hedge funds (and thus the need for FEs) in India -- I know someone in the US that is working on setting up a conference/seminar/training session in India for 2009 focused on raising capital for hedge funds. 2. Here's my personal...

Hi there. It's possible but very unlikely. Essentially if you really stood out -- great school, great GPA, great test scores, possible Math/Physics Olympiad winner, etc. then someone may give you a shot. Places like DE Shaw will always be open to someone that is the top of the top regardless of...

Shawn, just saw this. How did it go? You probably got asked some programming questions as well I'd guess. Sameer

Hey Tim, welcome. That's an awesomely genuine intro! What type of work are you doing? Sameer

Doug, nice work! Congrats.

My partners and I recruit for hedge funds and prop trading firms mainly in the US (we occasionally have international roles as well). One of our clients in California is looking for individuals with strong Java programming skills. They recently hired a recent PhD in Computer Science with no work...

Ilya, yeah I think soft skills will definitely come into play on your way to an offer but your "hard" skills will be the ones that will get your foot in the door...usually. I think, from what I have seen with our clients, what's more important that everything you've mentioned is communication. I...

Hey vkaul, if you have strong GPA(s), I'd say leave it in there even if you've been working for a couple years. Besides some firms want to see GPAs -- we have a client that want us to provide GPAs when we submit resumes regardless of how long the candidate has been working. Yes it has irked a...

Hey, my recommendation would be to go with the internship -- something that is close to what you want to eventually do when you get out. Sameer

Vazza, yeah i looked at the CAIA (albeit after I signed up for the CHA) -- there's definitely some overlap although the CHA focus purely on hedge funds whereas the CAIA seems to cover other alternative investments. Good luck on your test! And yeah the CHA will take a while before it starts to...

Alright guys, I'll let you know how it goes. Sameer

Hey Andy, well it's too late to stay clear of this since I already registered and paid. :) This is definitely a new certification and doesn't come close to having the reputation or prestige of the CFA but why would that, in and of itself, raise a red flag? They are a small group -- I think...

Samuel, One of our clients actually does administer the Myers-Briggs test. I'm not sure which "types" are looked upon more favorably though -- I will try and find out. At some level, most firms will look for a personality fit even if they don't formally administer a test. We all know this of...

So we've all heard of the CFA but now there's a CHA -- Chartered Hedge Fund Associate. Yep. I received an email the other day from Hedge Fund Group (Hedge Fund Group (HFG) - International Hedge Fund Association) informing me that they were opening registration for the CHA designation. After a...

Brent, a lot of ibanks and hedge funds have offices abroad. For instance, Goldman has offices and is hiring for roles in London, S'pore, HK and Tokyo (I'm sure they have other international offices besides these as well). Hedge funds, that are beyond a certain size, will typically have a...

Pijush, a few tips for phone interviews: 1. Try and do it from a land line. We're actually seeing clients specifically request that candidates take calls from a land line. A lot of people are wary of cell phone reception. 2. Speak clearly -- I know it goes without saying but make a conscious...

Boy, I thought my English was pretty good until I read this thread -- I had to google several things. ha! Anyways, on a slight tangent (I've caught myself saying that a lot), seems like several people's egos were coming into play here....and pretty much every single person, at some point or the...

A piece of unsolicited advice for anyone that is international (I am!) and wants to improve their ability to communicate -- hang with the locals, so to speak. If you are new to the US, it's within one's comfort zone to go hang with people that speak your native language or are from your country...

Hello everyone. This is a job posting for a client of ours. I am with a recruiting firm called Mark Lewis, Inc. (Welcome to Marklewisinc.com) -- we recruit for quantitative and technology roles at hedge funds and prop trading firms. The Junior Quant/Trader roles is based in NYC and is with the...

Here are a couple examples of what I have seen in terms of landing a PM role: 1. Working as an Analyst for a PM provides a path to becoming a PM down the road. I would say you usually need a quantitative master's and some strong grounding in finance to have a good shot at being an Analyst for a...

Rohit, what type of financial services work have you done? If it is relevant to trading, I'd say you have a decent shot at a hedge fund in India. Have you been doing software development? If so, even better. I think software developers with a trading background are usually always in demand. If...

Francis, Yes, there are hedge funds in CA as well. You are dead-on about Chicago and NYC (and also CT) -- those areas are definitely the "hub," but there are funds in CA as well. Here are a few I am aware of: EWT Trading -- EWT LLC Dorchester Capital -- www.dorchestercapital.com (note I had...

suman, it's a bit tricky on a couple fronts: 1. they are looking for someone that has actively done algo trading development. 2. the whole work visa situation make it even more complex with you being in india -- i'm sure you've heard there are lotteries now for the H1B work visa. if one is...

Guys, here's a wikipedia link wrt market microstructure -- Market microstructure - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Also, market microstructure is pretty relevant to algorithmic trading -- for instance, we have a client right now that is wanting to hire someone to work on coming up with...

statarb, here are some possible channels to pursue to connect with industry professionals: 1. Your school's alumni center -- I think this is an often overlooked resource. Alumni centers can connect you up with alums in a certain field or in a certain city. 2. LinkedIn -- a friend of a friend...

Kunal, tell us more about entering the quant field -- what does that mean to you? Are you wanting to work as a quant? Or are you interested in working at a hedge fund or prop trading firm that uses algorithmic trading strategies? if it is the latter, you may be able to work as an analyst...

Ferdinand, Yeah it is a great community, isn't it? I am pretty new to the community myself. Do you feel comfortable sharing which bank you work for? I know at least one ibank that is hiring for roles in Tokyo. Also, keep in mind that even though the larger banks (Lehman, UBS, obviously Bear)...

statarb, this might be a bit tangential but i have a question -- have you worked in the quantitative finance realm previously? If you have, then I'd say the MFE may not add that much value in the eyes of potential employers; it might almost seem like a step back. If you have not worked in...