20 Jane Street Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing with a company like Jane Street, that preparation should include studying up on company specific interview questions.

Jane Street is known for their intense and challenging interview process, so it’s important that you go in armed with the best possible answers to their questions. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Jane Street interview questions, as well as some tips on how to answer them.

So if you’re looking to land a job at Jane Street, read on for everything you need to know about company specific interview questions.

Jane Street Interview Process

The interview process at Jane Street is long, difficult, and overall quite engaging. It typically consists of several rounds of interviews, both phone and in-person, with questions that range from elementary math problem solving to game theory. The difficulty of the questions increases as the process goes on, and candidates are expected to be able to think critically and estimate accurately.

1. What is your experience with C++?

This question is a great way to see how much experience you have with C++, which is one of the languages used at Jane Street. If you don’t have any experience with C++, it’s okay to say so and explain what other programming languages you do know.

Example: “I’ve been using C++ for about five years now. I started out learning Java, but eventually moved on to C++ because I wanted to learn more complex coding languages. I find that C++ is a great language to use when working with financial markets because it allows me to write code faster than some other languages.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to learn something new quickly in order to complete a project on time. How did you accomplish this?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you adapt to new situations and challenges. Use your answer to highlight your ability to learn quickly, as well as your commitment to completing projects on time.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous company, I was tasked with learning a complex financial software program in just two weeks. At first, this seemed like an impossible task, but I decided to take it one step at a time. First, I read through the entire user manual so that I understood all of the basic functions. Then, I practiced using the software for several hours each day until I felt comfortable enough to use it during client meetings.”

3. Do you have any experience working with financial markets?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate has any experience working with financial markets. It’s also an opportunity for you to learn about their previous work history and how it relates to your company.

Example: “I have worked in the financial market since I graduated from college, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in finance. My first job was as a trader at a small investment firm, where I learned more about the industry and honed my skills. After five years there, I moved on to a larger investment firm where I became a portfolio manager.”

4. Why do you want to work at Jane Street Capital?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also allows you to talk about what attracted you to this role, which can be helpful if you are applying for multiple positions at Jane Street Capital.

Example: “I want to work at Jane Street Capital because I am passionate about equity and bonds trading. The company’s mission statement of ‘providing innovative solutions that help our clients succeed’ really resonates with me as someone who wants to make an impact on the world through my career. I have been following Jane Street Capital for years, so I know how much it values diversity and inclusion. I would love to join such a forward-thinking team.”

5. What are some challenges that you expect to face while working as a software engineer?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention a challenge that you faced in the past and what steps you took to solve it.

Example: “One of the biggest challenges I expect to face while working at Jane Street Capital is finding ways to improve my coding skills. I plan on taking online courses or attending workshops to help me develop my coding knowledge. Another challenge I anticipate facing is learning new programming languages. To overcome this challenge, I will dedicate time each day to practicing coding with different languages.”

6. Please describe how you would use OCaml to solve the following problem: given an array of integers, find all pairs which sum up to 0.

This question tests your ability to use OCaml, a functional programming language. It also tests your problem-solving skills and how you apply logic to solve problems.

Example: “I would first define the function that checks if two numbers sum up to 0. Then I would create an array of integers and iterate through it until I find all pairs of numbers that sum up to zero. This is because OCaml is a functional programming language, so I can’t modify arrays once they are created.”

7. Would it be possible for us to see some code that you have written before?

This question is a great way to see how you apply your skills in the workplace. If you have code that you can show, it will help the interviewer understand what kind of work you are capable of doing and if you would be a good fit for their company.

Example: “I am happy to share some of my previous coding projects with you. I worked as an intern at a software development company where I was tasked with creating a program that could predict stock prices based on historical data. It took me several weeks to complete this project but when I did, we were able to use it to make predictions about stocks before they rose or fell.”

8. Have you ever worked in a team environment?

This question is a great way to determine how well you work with others. Employers want team players who can collaborate and communicate effectively. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your teamwork skills and ability to collaborate with others.

Example: “I have worked in a team environment for the past five years at my current company. I am currently part of a team that works on equity trading strategies. We meet once a week to discuss our progress and any challenges we’re facing. This helps us stay organized and focused on our goals. In addition, we hold weekly meetings where we share our results and celebrate each other’s successes.”

9. Can you tell us about a time when you used mathematical and analytical skills to solve a problem?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you used math or analytical skills to solve a problem in a previous position.

Example: “In my last position as a financial analyst at Smith & Company, I was tasked with finding ways to reduce costs while maintaining revenue. After analyzing our current budget, I found we were spending too much money on marketing campaigns. By reducing our marketing budget by 10%, we could save $100,000 per year without affecting revenue.”

10. If hired, what do you think will be the most challenging aspect of being a quantitative trader?

This question is a great way to determine how well you understand the role of a quantitative trader. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss an aspect of being a quantitative trader that you are not particularly good at and explain how you would improve in that area.

Example: “The most challenging aspect of being a quantitative trader for me would probably be managing my time effectively. I am very organized and like to have everything planned out ahead of time, but with so many different projects going on at once, it can be difficult to stay on top of all of them. To overcome this challenge, I plan to use project management software to help keep track of what needs to get done when.”

11. We value people who can communicate well. Tell me about a time where you had to explain a difficult concept to someone who was not familiar with the topic.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can help others learn. When answering this question, try to think of a time when you had to explain something that was not common knowledge or something that someone else did not understand.

Example: “When I first started working at Jane Street Capital, there were many terms and concepts that I was unfamiliar with. One day, my manager asked me to do some research on the company’s stock price. I looked up the information but could not find it anywhere. I then called my manager and explained that I could not find the information. He told me that he would look into it and get back to me later.”

12. If you were asked to create a program that would help manage inventory, what steps would you take?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain the steps you would take to create such a program and how you would communicate with other members of the team to ensure that everyone understands their role.

Example: “I would first research what inventory management programs are currently available. I would then determine which one best fits our needs based on price and functionality. Next, I would set up a meeting with my manager to discuss the new system and its benefits. After discussing the pros and cons of each system, we would decide which one to implement.”

13. Describe a situation where you had to make quick decisions under pressure.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make quick decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the situation in detail and explain how you made your decision.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project that required me to analyze data from multiple sources. One day, one of the systems I was using went down for maintenance. This meant I had to find another system to use while the first system was offline. Luckily, I found another system that could help me complete my work. However, when I started analyzing the new data, I noticed some inconsistencies with the information. I decided to contact my supervisor about the issue so we could discuss what to do next.”

14. When working on a complex project, how often do you like to check-in with your manager?

This question can help the interviewer understand your work ethic and how you interact with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you needed guidance or assistance from your manager and how they helped you complete the task.

Example: “I like to check-in with my manager at least once per day while working on complex projects. This allows me to get feedback on my progress and ask any questions I may have about the project. My last manager was always willing to answer my questions and provide additional resources if necessary.”

15. Which is more important to you, making money or doing good work?

This question is a test of your values and how they align with the company’s. It also helps you show that you understand what Jane Street Capital does as a company.

Example: “I believe both are important, but I would say doing good work is more important to me. If I’m not doing good work, then it doesn’t matter if I make money or not. However, if I am doing good work, then I will be able to find other opportunities for making money in the future. I think this is especially true at Jane Street Capital because we have such high standards for our work.”

16. Are you comfortable with starting off as a junior quant developer?

This question is a great way to determine if the company you’re interviewing with has an effective training program. If they do, it’s likely that you’ll be able to advance your career quickly and efficiently. When answering this question, make sure to mention how much you enjoy learning new things and developing your skills as a quant developer.

Example: “I’m very comfortable starting off as a junior quant developer at Jane Street Capital because I love learning new things. In fact, I find it quite exciting to learn something completely foreign to me and then master it. I think my ability to adapt to change so easily makes me a great candidate for this position.”

17. If we were to hire you, what would you say is the first thing you would do?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate plans to approach their work. It’s also an opportunity for you to learn more about what they do and if it aligns with your company culture.

Example: “I would start by getting to know my coworkers, learning as much as I can about the company and its goals and objectives. Then I’d get familiar with our clients and the projects we’re working on. Finally, I’d make sure that I’m up-to-date on all of the financial data so I can be ready to contribute from day one.”

18. In today’s fast paced trading environment, mistakes happen. How would you handle making a mistake during a trade?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to learn from mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time you made a mistake in the past and how you fixed it.

Example: “When I was working at my previous company, I had a trade that went wrong because of a technical error. At first, I was upset about the situation but then realized there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Instead, I focused on fixing the issue as quickly as possible so I didn’t lose any more money. After making sure the trade was corrected, I learned from the experience and implemented new procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.”

19. General Motors is a company that emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and its values. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Jane Street Capital that you admire or relate back to an experience you’ve had with innovation in the past.

Example: “General Motors has always been one of my favorite companies because they are so innovative. I think the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative is to never stop learning. At Jane Street Capital, I see this value reflected in the culture every day. The employees here are constantly asking questions and looking for new ways to improve their work.”

20. What type of projects interest you the most?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have an interest in their company and its work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention projects or ideas that are similar to what Jane Street Capital has done in the past.

Example: “I am very interested in working with companies who want to expand internationally. I think this is a great opportunity for businesses to grow and learn more about different cultures. In my last role, I worked with a client who wanted to expand into Europe. We helped them find the right locations and develop strategies to make sure they were successful.”