Breaking Into Hedge Funds: The Ultimate Guide to Landing a Top Job

### **How to Land a Job at a Top Hedge Fund: Salaries, Internships, and Training Programs**

The hedge fund industry is fiercely competitive, with firms like **Citadel, Millennium, and Point72** battling for top talent across all levels—from interns to seasoned portfolio managers. Salaries are staggering, with **interns earning over $5,000 a week**, entry-level analysts making six figures, and successful portfolio managers taking home tens of millions. Business Insider spoke with leading hedge funds to uncover their hiring strategies, from ultra-selective internships to elite training programs designed to cultivate the next generation of investment stars.

### **Internships: The First Step to a Hedge Fund Career**

Hedge funds are now aggressively recruiting young talent, even as early as high school, to build a pipeline of future employees. **Citadel’s summer internship program**, for example, had over **108,000 applicants for just 300 spots**—an acceptance rate of **0.4%**, making it more competitive than Ivy League admissions. Interns work alongside traders, quants, and engineers, gaining hands-on experience in high-stakes investing. Meanwhile, firms like **Point72 and D.E. Shaw** emphasize problem-solving skills and intellectual curiosity when selecting interns, with many top performers receiving full-time offers.

### **Analyst Programs and Portfolio Manager Training**

Traditionally, hedge funds hired from investment banks, but today, many run **their own intensive training programs** to groom analysts into future portfolio managers. **Point72’s LaunchPoint**, for instance, is an ultra-elite program with a **less than 1% acceptance rate**, where Steve Cohen personally evaluates candidates. Similarly, **Balyasny’s Anthem program** gives rising stars hundreds of millions in capital to prove their investing prowess. These programs are designed to fast-track top talent into high-stakes trading roles, ensuring hedge funds stay ahead in the war for skilled investors.

### **Tech Roles and Engineering Programs**

With quant trading on the rise, hedge funds are **competing with Silicon Valley** for top engineers and data scientists. **Citadel’s engineering program** has successfully lured talent from Google and Goldman Sachs, while **Millennium and Man Group** offer specialized training to develop automation and algorithmic trading skills. Quant firms like **D.E. Shaw** also use unconventional hiring tactics, seeking out polymaths who can blend finance with cutting-edge tech.

### **Key Takeaways for Aspiring Hedge Fund Professionals**

Breaking into hedge funds requires **exceptional quantitative skills, resilience, and networking**. Knowing the right **business development executives and recruiters** can be crucial, as many hires come through referrals. Whether through internships, analyst programs, or tech roles, candidates must demonstrate **analytical rigor, adaptability, and a passion for markets** to stand out in this cutthroat industry.

For more insights, check out Business Insider’s full breakdown of hedge fund hiring strategies—from interview prep to insider tips from top firms.


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Forrás: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-job-hedge-fund-citadel-millennium-point72.