I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Optiver (Chicago, IL) in Sep 2024
Interview
I first had to give an online assessment, followed by a call with a trader. Next steps were a call with a recruitment HR, and a quantitative researcher. I failed on the next step, which was a take home assessment which involved performing data analyses on some real world data. In case I would have been selected, the HR informed that me that the next steps would have been an interview with a QR to explain my code, followed by a team compatibility interview with either a head of QR, or a team head. Overall, a great set of interview questions. Slightly salty that I could not make the cut, but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way -- getting into this company ought to take more effort than I put in, which was basically skimming through the probability section of the green book.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
I have been asked to keep the questions private, so I won't type the exact ones. You can find question types for online assessment on google/reddit/prep websites. The next round was a market making game, followed by general fit questions with HR. Third round interview was general math and brain teaser type problems. Take home assessment requires some experience with data analyses that I do not have.
First there was a long OA of about 3hours. Then, there was a zoom interview on the card betting game with the recruiter. I didn't make it to the next round.
Very smooth, the HR just asked me why Optiver, why quant, what is your strength and weakness, what is the career plan in the next 5 years, but I did not answer very perfect
first round of math probability
2nd of betting. the platform was bit hard to use. Recommend to get some training if you can find the resources. both interviewers were nice
Optiver interviews FAQs
Quantitative Researcher applicants have rated the interview process at Optiver with 3.7 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 39% positive. To compare, the company-average is 49% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Quantitative Researcher roles take an average of 22 days to get hired, when considering 80 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Optiver overall takes an average of 20 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Optiver as a Quantitative Researcher according to 80 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 26%
Skills test: 22%
IQ intelligence test: 16%
One on one interview: 16%
Personality test: 10%
Presentation: 4%
Group panel interview: 3%
Background check: 2%
Other: 1%
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