I applied through university. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm in Oct 2008
Interview
it was actually my first phone interview EVER, so I was quite worried. the guy asked me three questions:
first something easy on options. I didn't answer since had zero experience at that time.
second was something easy on probability, involving Bayesian formula. I was too freaked at the time because of the first question. got a bit confused and didn't solve all of the parts (after I put down the phone, it was a 5 minute question, actually)
third question was "how to make a fair coin out of a biased one". that's a very famous question which unfortunately I didn't know at that time. I tried coming up with something but with a questionable success. the guy didn't give me any hints at all, and so the interviewed was finished.
that was a quick and obvious rejection, no questions asked.
the interesting information is that one year later they don't even give me an opportunity to interview again -- now I'm in the system, and they rejected me immediately. the moral is -- if you're really interested in them, be sure you are ready before you interview. one lousy bad morning, and you get "stupid" on your tab.
I interviewed at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm
Interview
Easy problem, arrogant interviewers who failed academia. Mysterious standards and many lies. I think it's safe to say the process makes people rethink leaving academia. Avoid it at all cost unless you want to regret leaving research.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Random walk on rocks by a frog. Basic high school brain teasers.