How to Get a Job in Quant Finance 2024

The job market has shrunk and it is still very competitive however, many of you are writing poor resumes which is reducing your odds of finding a quantitative finance job.
- Don't pack skills you aren't good at!
- List the same skills throughout.
- Create a focus for each resume/job.
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[@Joseph-ms3iq]

Dear Dimitri, thank you for making such a clear guide on how to make a great resume. I finally understand how to create a great resume, from the perspective of an intelligent employer instead of a career coach that follows the same template advice. Thank you a lot for the info.

[@BawsViking]

I am not too familiar with the quant realm, but for more conventional CS positions skill stacking does indeed work. Especially for larger corporations when the technical team outsources the screening process to HR (!!). They don't really understand whats what, and they don't have the competence to question you further anyways. Every CS major is sending out A LOT of applications in this market and why your application got rejected / accepted is kind of a black box, so you just go with what works. You also get a lot of general advice from older students, and such the winning strategies propagate.

[@mcjon77]

The thing about skill stacking for CS positions is that a key point is to put that stuff on the second page. You don't want all of those skills cluttering up your first page because that's the page, particularly the top half of the first page, that the HR recruiter will actually look at. However, their automated applicant tracking system will look for those keyword skills and if you put them on the second page the ATS will see it and give you credit for it while your first page is still easily readable by a human.

[@cheetahkba9811]

Woohoo!! 🎉 Amazing video

[@dogcard664]

Dimitri, I think this is a great video but I think It would be better if you could show what an optimal resume looks like instead of just saying what could be better. The first reason I'm asking is that if I were to trim my resume to what I "think" the job wants, my resume would be extremely short especially for a fresh graduate. The second reason is that most job descriptions are so vague it makes it difficult to know what exactly to put in or take out of my resume. Love your Vids! Please keep them coming!❤❤❤

[@jasdeepsinghgrover2470]

One of the best videos!! Thank you so much for the amazing video. Your guidance has helped a lot in improving my resume and interviewing skills. Just waiting for an opportunity now. Hoping for the best!

[@CarterBabylung]

I recently went through the job hunting process for model validation jobs. I would say make study sheets for technical interviews because a lot of the questions tend to get repeated.

[@jdgcreative]

How reasonable do you think it is to enter the industry with only a bachelors and personal projects related to quant finance on your resume?

[@DimitriBianco]

A long shot at best.

[@davidnovosardian6848]

Doable if you studied at a prestigious university.

[@zuki9537]

@@DimitriBianco What about if its a T20 uni bachelors in CS with quality internship experiences and personal projects? What about competitive programming? Does that help?

[@davidnovosardian6848]

Hi Dimitri, I agree with a lot that you mentioned in this video. I think the reason why people slab C++ across their resumes while not including or having projects related to C++ is to just get their resume through the algorithm keyword resume sort without their resume getting lost behind. I could be wrong.

[@emmanuellarios5129]

I know you already made a video comparing different masters programs, but what do you think about Johns Hopkins financial mathematics program?

[@user-fj9kt1zh2n]

Hey Dimitiri, how do you make resume for people who are career switching say mid 30s/40s. Thank you.

[@DimitriBianco]

Really focus on highlighting the skills that match the new positions. Maybe add a summary at the top with a quick reason on why you are switching.

[@user-fj9kt1zh2n]

@@DimitriBianco Would any ageism at all ever affect your job prospects? Thanks.

[@Conbyh7]

Is stevens tech bachelor of quantitative finance a good start for this career path

[@souravdsourav]

Great video ! Can you recommend any financial engineering online degree for working guys ?

[@WarloyJenkins]

Hello Dimitri, I am currently getting ready to start a master's in business analytics program (Yes, I know that's not a typical degree for quants to have, its really just a stats program with some R coding, currently buying some mathematical finance textbooks as well as looking into getting that Financial Time Series Analysis textbook that you recommended). Frequently, when looking at advice for data science jobs its recommended that you have a portfolio of relevant projects so that employers can see what level of work you are capable of. I was wondering if a similar approach would be useful for quantitative finance jobs. If so, what kind of projects do you think would be best applicable for a quantitative role, more specifically in the model development or quantitative research areas.

[@franklinmudole]

I think he answered this in his previous videos. Let me see if I can find it for you.

[@franklinmudole]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnq4dYqrf7Bqg5Isi=maac9UWU4HpDsNA4

[@franklinmudole]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/poC3mYF_qbOop6csi=rrdeNJSgKpT7xm3c

[@franklinmudole]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6epiq2AbZKtmLMsi=S9UPx5h9WQdd6ZtD

[@user-cl3tu5qm9m]

How would u advise a mechanical engineer to transition to quant/trading positions?(29yrs old)

[@Dhairya31125]

Hello I want a beginner friendly roadmap on quant analyst

[@brijeshhota550]

I want to know how do we get started? I've spoken to few alumini at Citadel and few prop trading firms and they've referred me to either get familiar with the concepts of the Green book or Heard on the Street. I got these books but the concepts behind them are coupled a lot. Is there any specific set of topics one should go through before trying to attempt these books? I don't want to get stuck in the beginners loop

[@DimitriBianco]

It depends on your background. What degrees, education, and experience do you currently have?

[@brijeshhota550]

@@DimitriBianco thanks for the reply. I’ve completed my Bachelor’s of Computer Science and Stats (double major) from U10 in Canada. Over 1.5 years of internship experience in Full-Stack development primarily in MLOps and currently I’m an AI Engineer in a small cybersecurity startup in Toronto. I’ve a good hold on stochastic calc, multi variable regression and time series analysis. Coupled with my experience in GNN and NLP. I’m currently actively preparing to break into quant but don’t know how to start with HOTS or the Green Book. I tried to start with Sheldon Natenberg’s Options Volatility but realized it’s more focused after one starts as a quant

[@priyanshujain22f]

I am currently reading and implementing Analysis of Financial Time Series in Python in real depth. Would that sort of syllabus suffice. Coded 650 questions on LeetCode and have a Bachelors in Data Science and Applications + MBA in Finance. Good with probability upto moments estimation also. Hoping to crack into the roles. Would this be enough?

[@danburns8749]

Is it helpful for candidates looking for internships or full time employment as a quant to have a CFA, FRM, CQF, PRM or CAIA certification? Which ones are more important? Thanks for the advise.

[@danburns8749]

@DimitriBianco Could you please give me your thoughts on these certifications?

[@matthewweinman8247]

Hey Dimitri or anyone else. How important are early internships for a quant finance career. Im an undergrad going into my junior year. A double major in Econ and Finance and a minor in math. And a plan to get a quantitative finance masters. What type of internships should I be looking for and when should I take them. ASAP? or between undergrad and grad?

[@DimitriBianco]

For undergrads look for analytical internships. Just getting experience with a industry is important. Quant finance usually won't consider undergrads so other roles even within fiance, data science, tech, or other industries can help as long as you are utilizing analytical skills.

[@arpitpachori5746]

Great video man. I'm a data engineer right now. Can someone tell me if I can get into the finance domain within data teams? Thanks

[@DimitriBianco]

Yes. All banks and most finance firms have their own data teams. The focus will be on your knowledge in data engineering. Understanding transactional data helps.

[@arpitpachori5746]

@@DimitriBianco Sounds great. Thanks a lot man.

[@vamsikotte]

which of these is more relevant to become a quant researcher- 1) Economics, Physics, Mathematics & Statistics , and Computer Science independently or 2) Economics, Physics, Mathematics & Statistics combined with Computer science

[@davidc4408]

Math and stats

[@Gbizz]

Do you think it would be useful to include a second page on my resume that highlights other relevant skills and experiences? I have a wide range of valuable skills, projects, and certifications that may not directly relate to the specific job I'm applying for. I'm applying for positions such as Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Data Scientist, and Quantitative Researcher, with a background in data science and econometrics (high in math and statistics but also python heavy). My goal is to find cause and effect relationships and write code that transforms data into business value. However, I don't have the time to tailor my resume for every single job description, especially since they often require different programming languages and project experiences. I'll be creating multiple general resumes to cover different job types. Great video!

[@khashayarbadee]

Hey Dimitry, I am studying MFE at HEC Montreal, and I will be starting to work with a Canadian pension fund in buy side. Do you think I am able to target US job market? Am I in a disadvantage compared to a US applicant?

[@vg1024]

why would you assume you were at an advantage over a US applicant... in the US?

[@ShubhamSinghYoutube]

​@@vg1024 lol. I'm doing my master's in the US, and I'm getting ghosted by recruiters

[@mikhailbabushkinum]

Is the Master in HEC 2 years or 1 year ?

[@tejasshingte2772]

​@@ShubhamSinghKZbindamn didn't expect to see you here lol

[@devarshsrivastava5326]

Hey I am interested in joining CPP investment I did a masters in Quantitative Finance. I got a couple of coffee chats but don't know how to get a breakthrough.

[@NishantPakharin]

What is your take on self taught or dropouts? Does the quant firms don't hire self taught peoples?

[@DimitriBianco]

I've never seen it at the big firms. The quant space is a lot more structured than the tech industry.

[@NishantPakharin]

​@@DimitriBiancoOkey then i will break that culture..

[@menonsreekumarvvenugopal5747]

Boss this is how ug college application kids write. They get into unis with these extracurriculars.

[@daanialahmad1759]

Dimitri, Quants need mentorship to progress in their career. Most people at this stage try to just proof that they are hungry to learn

[@kevk4908]

I'm heading to UC Berkeley this fall, and I'm split between pursuing a career when I'm done in quants or IB

[@DimitriBianco]

If you get a good education meaning it does in depth, you won't have a choice. You will either be educated to work as a quant or a banker. There isn't much crossover in skills.

[@davidnovosardian6848]

a career in Quant and IB is so vastly different

[@SA-by2xg]

Why do the comp numbers referenced in your videos seem so low? Are you just speaking for your firm?

[@DimitriBianco]

These numbers are actually from other firms. Most numbers you see online are inflated and usually nyc numbers. Most firms also have low salaries but large bonuses depending on the year. I'll link another video I have on industry comp from CMU alumni.

[@DimitriBianco]

Here's the industry comp numbers... surprisingly most quants aren't making anywhere near a million. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDNop2np6t3mdEsi=_0UjJvKCpc4yt_jr

[@vladanovicluka7709]

Because he is not a quant, he is misusing and trying to shift the definition

[@vladanovicluka7709]

Stop with the quant stuff, you are not a quant and you are not going to change the mainstream definition of quant to encapsulate what you do. It's cringe and overused, you have been doing this for years and people can tell your bluff after just a few vids. Again, you are not changing the definition of the terms so stop mentioning them so often.

[@EyeofProvidence007]

funny you rip masters's programs and swear by phd's but you dont have a phd.

[@eleonorauzaxbergenova1384]

He doesnt have to have PHd since what he’s saying is only only relevant to real time data analysis and quant jobs

[@malcolmharris7363]

I love you man, but I have a real problem with your process of overweighting "big name" schools. In actual fact, YOUR story, is likely the best example of why a high quality education comes from the efforts of the student themselves and not the school they hail from. University of Michigan is not a "big name", and yet the person that choose to overlook that fact got an amazing candidate when they hired....YOU.

[@DimitriBianco]

I'm not sure how you think I'm overweighting big name schools. Not everyone who was interviewed in the final rounds were big name programs. Also I'm not sure where you are from but Michigan is a big name school in many fields including math, stats, finance, and economics.