Graduating with a math PhD soon but not getting any interviews

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Valc

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I'll be graduating in a few months with a PhD in pure mathematics from a well-regarded but not top tier university in the US. While my academic background is in pure math, I've always considered going into quantitative finance after graduation. Over time I've independently studied a few relevant subjects such as statistics, probability, stochastic calculus, machine learning, and numerical analysis. I feel pretty good about most of these topics aside from maybe machine learning which I only have a surface level understanding of. I did a dual major in mathematics and computer science as an undergrad so I know how to code fairly well. I’ve also dedicated the last few months to interview prep and feel confident with most leetcode medium questions and probability brainteasers.

I’ve tried applying to quant internships the last two cycles but usually didn't make it past the resume screening. This year I tried applying directly to full-time roles but again didn’t get any interviews or online assessments.

I’ve spoken with a few friends in the industry, and they don't know what else I can and suggest that it may just be the bad job market. On the other hand I do see other people getting these roles, some of them far less qualified.

I'm wondering what the problem might be or what else I can do. Could it be my lack of publications? Bad networking? Here are some things I've thought of:
  • Delaying graduation and try applying to internships again
  • Learn more machine learning since that is where all the hype is now
  • Networking more actively
  • Publishing a paper related to quantitative finance
  • Doing a postdoc and reapplying in a year or two
I'd really appreciate any insight or advice.
 
This market sucks, but if you're not passing the resume screening, that tells me there could be something going on with a) your application (could be your resume or something else) or b) your profile as a candidate.

Even before we get to the resume, I would want to take a closer look at your search strategy:
- which jobs you are applying for (the requirements & qualifications)
- how you're applying for them (how soon after the posting goes up? are you applying on the company website or LinkedIn?)
- your networking/follow up strategy (this is often the missing piece in this market)
- are you getting auto-rejected or ghosted (if auto-rejected, it's not your resume, it's likely how you answer a question on the
- and how are you leveraging school resources (Handshake, other job boards, etc. from both your current school and undergrad)

Two Sig and other hedge funds have told me they love math PhDs and would sometimes host info sessions just for PhD students.

That said, there's a LOT to be said for projects and official quant/MFE coursework. Feel free to message me and we can setup a coaching call to dig deeper.
 
Daniel Duffy said:
What kind of "pure" mathematics?
Click to expand...
Algebraic topology.

Ash Cross said:
This market sucks, but if you're not passing the resume screening, that tells me there could be something going on with a) your application (could be your resume or something else) or b) your profile as a candidate.

Even before we get to the resume, I would want to take a closer look at your search strategy:
- which jobs you are applying for (the requirements & qualifications)
- how you're applying for them (how soon after the posting goes up? are you applying on the company website or LinkedIn?)
- your networking/follow up strategy (this is often the missing piece in this market)
- are you getting auto-rejected or ghosted (if auto-rejected, it's not your resume, it's likely how you answer a question on the
- and how are you leveraging school resources (Handshake, other job boards, etc. from both your current school and undergrad)

Two Sig and other hedge funds have told me they love math PhDs and would sometimes host info sessions just for PhD students.

That said, there's a LOT to be said for projects and official quant/MFE coursework. Feel free to message me and we can setup a coaching call to dig deeper.
Click to expand...
I've been applying for any position that's looking for a fresh PhD graduate and that isn't too close to the development side. I don't have many connections in the industry (and I'm not sure how to build them) so I've been applying directly through the companies' websites. Usually I submit my application, wait 2-4 weeks, and then I get a rejection email without having even gotten an online assessment.
 
I'd post your resume. It may seem to the recruiters (limited in their knowledge as they are) that you are applying to quant finance roles out of nowhere. If your resume doesn't show or talk much about your interest in quant or finance subjects, then that def explains part of the problem. Do you have a github with any projects you can showcase or talk about?
 
Daniel Duffy said:
Unfortunately, algebraic topology is not used a lot in finance. Might need to learn additional "kinds of maths" skills.
C++ and Python.
@Valc
Click to expand...
Earlier in my PhD I was working with PDEs on manifolds. I have also self-studied probability (the rigorous kind using measure theory) and some stochastic calculus. I have actually been working my way through the two stochastic calculus books by Le Gall but I'm not sure if this is the best use of my time. I would consider myself an intermediate at Python. I used to be close to intermediate at C++ but it's been years since I've used it and I've forgotten most of it. Is there anything I should focus on studying?

Paul Lopez said:
I'd post your resume. It may seem to the recruiters (limited in their knowledge as they are) that you are applying to quant finance roles out of nowhere. If your resume doesn't show or talk much about your interest in quant or finance subjects, then that def explains part of the problem. Do you have a github with any projects you can showcase or talk about?
Click to expand...
I had a feeling that might have been the problem. I have an old and basic quant finance related project listed on my resume but I don't have the code on github. What would be a better use of my time, another project that I can put on github or studying something like machine learning?
 
A PhD is barely a guarantee for an interview or online assessment invite these days. Image yourself as just another MFE or STEM graduate entering the field.
Address your weakness and prepare accordingly. I would suggest work with a career coach like @Ash Cross and lay out a plan for the months ahead.
Here is a relevant article by her.
Ash Cross

Thread 'MFE Recruiting Reality Check: What Every Incoming Student Needs to Know'

So you got into a MFE Program… Now What?​

There are plenty of articles on how to get into a MFE program… but how do you prepare for the intensely competitive internship recruiting that comes with a graduate program in quantitative finance?

I’m happy to share some insights from my three years of experience working in Career Services for Carnegie Mellon’s MSCF (Master of Science in Computational Finance) program.

The Reality of U.S. Recruitment
*Note: As majority of my students have landed internships and full-time roles in the US, I will focus on how to prepare for...
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