12 December 2023 / RACHEL ASPINALL
Quant application tips from an incoming BlackRock analyst
What is your current situation?
I am currently a second year BSc Maths student at the University of Warwick. I have completed a spring week with SIG, a quantitative research internship with a small company called TrackFX, and the AmplifyME Summer Analyst Training Programme.
Recently, I accepted an offer to join BlackRock as a Quantitative Investing Intern in the Systematic Active Equities division.
I am currently a second year BSc Maths student at the University of Warwick. I have completed a spring week with SIG, a quantitative research internship with a small company called TrackFX, and the AmplifyME Summer Analyst Training Programme.
Recently, I accepted an offer to join BlackRock as a Quantitative Investing Intern in the Systematic Active Equities division.
What was your approach for sending out applications?
In sending out applications, I used the LSESU, Kings M&A, and Bristol trackers, as well as having my own list of companies to apply to and checking their websites at regular intervals.
I placed importance on making sure that my applications were of good quality to ensure that I passed the initial screenings, and tried to make sure my cover letter was as sincere and personal (but still professional) as possible.
Fitting it around studies was not easy, and I recommend doing as many as possible during the summer.
In sending out applications, I used the LSESU, Kings M&A, and Bristol trackers, as well as having my own list of companies to apply to and checking their websites at regular intervals.
I placed importance on making sure that my applications were of good quality to ensure that I passed the initial screenings, and tried to make sure my cover letter was as sincere and personal (but still professional) as possible.
Fitting it around studies was not easy, and I recommend doing as many as possible during the summer.
Is there any specific advice you have for students who want to pursue a career in quantitative finance?
For people aspiring to get into quant finance, I think it is important to know that quant finance is becoming just as broad as other areas of finance, and therefore there are many different roles.
I think learning the difference between roles like quant trading, quant research, quantitative portfolio or asset management, quantitative risk, etc. is paramount to succeeding during the application process, in the same way it is in other roles in finance.
Also, interviewers tend to be very impressed with students that have proactively learnt and applied quantitative techniques in finance, and this gives some great talking points during interviews and assessment centres.
For people aspiring to get into quant finance, I think it is important to know that quant finance is becoming just as broad as other areas of finance, and therefore there are many different roles.
I think learning the difference between roles like quant trading, quant research, quantitative portfolio or asset management, quantitative risk, etc. is paramount to succeeding during the application process, in the same way it is in other roles in finance.
Also, interviewers tend to be very impressed with students that have proactively learnt and applied quantitative techniques in finance, and this gives some great talking points during interviews and assessment centres.
Any tips for tackling a quant interview?
As for quant interviews specifically, I think too much focus is placed on learning how to do the technical questions. While this is important, I think it is better to try to practice your problem solving skills and articulating your thought processes. I had interviews where I got the answer correct relatively easily and still didn’t pass onto the next stage.
It is also important to just be yourself and portray yourself as someone that people would actually want to work with. My way of doing this was making well timed jokes and comments during the assessment centres, I don’t recommend this approach for everyone but it worked for me.
Additionally, making sure to always be honest about not knowing the answer to a question or how to do it, and then giving it a go anyway is something I feel set me apart from other applicants.
As for quant interviews specifically, I think too much focus is placed on learning how to do the technical questions. While this is important, I think it is better to try to practice your problem solving skills and articulating your thought processes. I had interviews where I got the answer correct relatively easily and still didn’t pass onto the next stage.
It is also important to just be yourself and portray yourself as someone that people would actually want to work with. My way of doing this was making well timed jokes and comments during the assessment centres, I don’t recommend this approach for everyone but it worked for me.
Additionally, making sure to always be honest about not knowing the answer to a question or how to do it, and then giving it a go anyway is something I feel set me apart from other applicants.
What was your motivation to do the AmplifyME Summer Analyst Training Programme?
I was motivated to do the AmplifyME Summer Analyst Training programme to learn more about the different areas of finance in more detail. This helped me to narrow down which roles I may be interested in, and also gain some valuable knowledge in these areas (and of course the Level 6 diploma to go with it!).
I was motivated to do the AmplifyME Summer Analyst Training programme to learn more about the different areas of finance in more detail. This helped me to narrow down which roles I may be interested in, and also gain some valuable knowledge in these areas (and of course the Level 6 diploma to go with it!).
Which part of the programme was most beneficial for you and did it have an impact on your applications?
I think the most important part of the programme for me was the quant simulation, as this allowed me to showcase my skills in this area. I also came in the top 5 in this area which definitely served to set me apart from other applicants when applying for internships.
Additionally, I think the best part of getting to know AmplifyME overall was that I got to meet many likeminded people and gain valuable connections.
Having the AmplifyME team as connections has been super helpful in my journey, as I can always ask them any questions I may have. They have also gotten me connected with people from all sorts of different firms, which has allowed me to get to know these companies in a more personal way which helped in my applications.
I think the most important part of the programme for me was the quant simulation, as this allowed me to showcase my skills in this area. I also came in the top 5 in this area which definitely served to set me apart from other applicants when applying for internships.
Additionally, I think the best part of getting to know AmplifyME overall was that I got to meet many likeminded people and gain valuable connections.
Having the AmplifyME team as connections has been super helpful in my journey, as I can always ask them any questions I may have. They have also gotten me connected with people from all sorts of different firms, which has allowed me to get to know these companies in a more personal way which helped in my applications.
Bookings for the 2024 Summer Analyst Training Programme are now open!
Bookings for the 2024 Summer Analyst Training Programme are now open!
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