Prepare for your Citadel portfolio manager interview

Multi-strategy case studies and portfolio construction problems calibrated to Citadel’s rigorous alpha generation and risk discipline culture.

Socratify AI

The Interview

What Citadel is looking for

Portfolio Construction Interview

Multi-Strategy Portfolio Analysis

01Risk-Adjusted Return Analysis

02Correlation & Diversification

03Portfolio Optimization

04Downside Risk Management

Behavioral Interview

01Investment Judgment

02Quantitative Rigor

03Risk Discipline

04Pattern Recognition

Multi-strategy portfolio construction//Quantitative risk management rigor//Alpha generation across asset classes

Practice Library

Citadel exercises

Ready to ace your Citadel portfolio manager interview?

Prepare for your Citadel portfolio manager interview

Multi-strategy case studies and portfolio construction problems calibrated to Citadel’s rigorous alpha generation and risk discipline culture.

Socratify AI

The Interview

What Citadel is looking for

Portfolio Construction Interview

Multi-Strategy Portfolio Analysis

01Risk-Adjusted Return Analysis

02Correlation & Diversification

03Portfolio Optimization

04Downside Risk Management

Behavioral Interview

01Investment Judgment

02Quantitative Rigor

03Risk Discipline

04Pattern Recognition

Multi-strategy portfolio construction//Quantitative risk management rigor//Alpha generation across asset classes

How It Works

Master Citadel Portfolio Interviews

Multi-strategy cases and Sharpe ratio optimization, scored on Citadel’s evaluation dimensions. · Click to expand

1Your Hedge Fund Goals

Portfolio Construction

Practitioner

Risk Management

Practitioner

2Hedge Fund Case Prep

Construct a $500M global macro portfolio. How do you balance equity, rates, commodities,...

CASE INTERVIEWHard

Citadel

3Frameworks

Framework

Does the manager have a proven edge and repeatable process?

What is the track record vs peers and benchmarks?

3-year return: 18% gross (vs EM benchmark +8%, peers avg 12%)

Sharpe ratio: 1.5 (vs peer median 0.9, industry benchmark 1.2)

Is alpha generation consistent or concentrated?

Win rate: 68% positive months (12 of 24 months > +2%)

Max drawdown: -14% (vs manager target -15%, peer median -18%)

Does this strategy complement our existing portfolio?

What is the correlation with our core positions?

Correlation to core US long-short: 0.3 (low, good hedge)

Correlation to FX carry trades: 0.6 (moderate risk)

Does this reduce portfolio volatility?

Portfolio volatility pre-allocation: 10.5% | post-allocation: 9.8%

Expected Sharpe improvement: 1.65 → 1.78 (+8% efficiency gain)

What is the downside risk and liquidity exposure?

How does this perform in tail risk scenarios?

Value-at-Risk (95% confidence): -2.8% over 1 month

Expected shortfall (99% worst case): -4.5% vs peers -5.2%

Can we exit quickly if needed?

Redemption terms: 60 days notice, quarterly gates, 2% fee

4Feedback

Risk-Adjusted Returns

Distinctive

Correlation & Diversification

Distinctive

Sharpe Ratio Optimization

Strong

Tail Risk Management

Strong

Repeat

Practice Library

Citadel exercises

Build a $500M portfolio allocation across US equities, emerging markets, and fixed...

LEARNHard

Asset Management · Portfolio ConstructionCitadel

A trading signal you developed has 15% Sharpe ratio in backtest but 8% live. Diagnose...

CASE INTERVIEWHard

Quantitative Finance · Model DiagnosticsCitadel

Your portfolio experienced a -12% drawdown in a market shock. How do you rebalance while...

LEARNMedium

Risk Management · Crisis RebalancingCitadel

Walk me through a time you made an investment decision under uncertainty with imperfect...

BEHAVIORALMedium

Behavioral · Investment JudgmentCitadel

Tell me about a time you changed your mind based on new data or analysis.

BEHAVIORALMedium

Behavioral · Intellectual HonestyCitadel