Comments on: Bridgewater Associates http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/ One Day, One Job is the insider's guide to unique and exciting entry level job and career opportunities for recent college graduates. Our daily employer profiles highlight the best entry level jobs and offer innovative job search tips. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:54:19 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: bob johanson http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13551 bob johanson Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:58:42 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13551 The place is a looney bin and Ray's Principles have become distorted by the children running the place. Its akin to Socialism - great concept, but flawed by human intervention. Overpaid arrogant kids just out of school can't possible keep their egos in check and they don't. Most are a misfit fo their job function and in an ever so classic case - know everything and do not seem to have the capability of or interested in learning from anyone with experience of actually doing the job previously. There is more tear down than build up and teams are simply outlawed. Its a nice place to visit but no one can possibly survive a career there and quite honestly shouldn't. there is a reason for the high turn over - most people figure it out that the place is for losers that add no value to the firm and they leave when its figured out that any real contribution that they can offer gets poo-pooed and pushed aside simply because such an offer is too selfish of a BW employee. Go figure. The place is a looney bin and Ray’s Principles have become distorted by the children running the place. Its akin to Socialism – great concept, but flawed by human intervention. Overpaid arrogant kids just out of school can’t possible keep their egos in check and they don’t. Most are a misfit fo their job function and in an ever so classic case – know everything and do not seem to have the capability of or interested in learning from anyone with experience of actually doing the job previously. There is more tear down than build up and teams are simply outlawed. Its a nice place to visit but no one can possibly survive a career there and quite honestly shouldn’t. there is a reason for the high turn over – most people figure it out that the place is for losers that add no value to the firm and they leave when its figured out that any real contribution that they can offer gets poo-pooed and pushed aside simply because such an offer is too selfish of a BW employee. Go figure.

]]> By: Hiring Process http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13545 Hiring Process Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:07:41 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13545 Can anybody comment on what their background check process is like, and how tolerant they might be if they're interested in a couple marijuana arrests already dating back 5 years and more? Thanks Can anybody comment on what their background check process is like, and how tolerant they might be if they’re interested in a couple marijuana arrests already dating back 5 years and more?

Thanks

]]> By: Can't http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13527 Can't Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:31:13 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13527 To answer an above question: Would they coincider a second shot? Depends entirerly if what you messed up was not in line with the culture. If you are not a culture fit, more then likely no. To answer an above question: Would they coincider a second shot? Depends entirerly if what you messed up was not in line with the culture. If you are not a culture fit, more then likely no.

]]> By: Can't http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13516 Can't Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:43:39 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13516 I joined BW in October 2008 and left in July 2009. I had a very up and down experience. I happened to come across this website because as I was telling someone at my new company about life at BW he thought I was joking. People on the outside don't understand. Sounds cultish right? It is. I actually said that to my former manager when she was interviewing me and she agreed. You have to drink the cool-aid to survive there. Here is a bit of clarity on BW. BW is very elite or so most of the kids think so. I say this because the median age is 28 and the vast majority of the employee's come from the top tier schools. With that said BW does hire from all walks of life. I am an example of that. The interview process varies from division to division. 100% of the time you will be judged on your cultural fit. I have had both an external interview and an internal interview. Getting in the door of BW was easy for me. I was a culture fit and I was capable. However, as I continually reflected on what I was doing and where I was going I realized that my role was not my passion. So I raised that to my manager. (2 things 1. Yes this is how they talk you should learn the buzz words quickly if you join BW and 2. Yes if you feel that you are not a good fit for your role you are encouraged to raise that without fear of being fired.) As I searched for a new role that would be a better fit for me I continued to do my job and interview in other areas. I interviewed for over 8 weeks with one department. 8 weeks and 14 people. This as I pointed out in my feedback to the department was badness. There was an obvious weakness in their ability to interview and they needed to drill down to find what the root cause of their inability to make a decision was. Let me explain the process: I met 2 senior colleges. They asked me questions about what my current role was, why I came to BW, what I liked and what I disliked about BW, how I could make a larger impact in another area, ect.. These general questions allowed them spring boards for peppering of questions. Why did you move to CT? What logic was behind it? How has the culture helped/frustrated you? Why do you think that weakness X is your biggest weakness? Seems your ego is talking when you say that you are more a creator? Have you painted yourself in a box? (Team Dimensions Test). This is more like the questions you get at a rapid fire rate. As you try to explain and say something they will just jump in and you need to be quick with an answer. It is very similar to a lawyer in a court room. I answered all their questions honestly (a must) and asked them for feedback. They both told me that they are not too sure that I would be a good fit in that department as it was too process oriented, but they needed time to think. I had many more interviews like this with this department. An interesting interview I had with a Leverager started out bad and ended pretty much the same. She had her head down at her desk when I showed up for the interview. I went to her assistant and asked if I could go in. She said no. So I waited. The Leverager came out in about 10 mins. looking for me and asked if I had been here the whole time. I said yes. She then proceeded to ask me why I had not come in and why I thought her time was more important than my time. And if I felt that I was less important than her and how long would I have waited. Threw me off a bit but that is pretty normal to just ask what you are thinking. There is no filtering at BW. As I was finishing up with her she asked me to write out all the things that you could use a brick and a blanket for in 2 mins. From those answers that I gave she assessed that I was too creative for the role and I would be bored. And ultimately it turned out that I would just be unhappy with the monotony that they did day in and out. I was more suited as a SMA. I did not pursue this. Remember this is just my experience all departments are different. However, for the most part it is a long process so you have to be patient if this is where you want to be. At BW you are challenged everyday. There is no stagnate bar. You are expected to give 100%+ everyday and if you don't you will know about it. You have to be able to handle that as well. As I learned my biggest weakness is giving Personal Negative Direct Actionable Feedback. This is a very common weakness with people as most have never experienced this type of culture in any other professional setting. But I was working on this problem. As long as you identify and are willing to admit problems/weaknesses and then work to overcome them you are living the culture. The working environment varies in each department. I had a bad group and didn't mesh with my senior. We tried to talk it out but it was just not going to work. However, I did make a lot of friends and as a previous post stated it’s true you really don't have time for outside friends. (And most of your outside friend’s prob. will not understand you after you start working there anyway). At BW there is no work life balance. It is said the average work day is 10 hr. That is a lie. An average work day is about 12-14 hours. And if you think that you are leaving in 10hrs. and people are ok with that you are more than likely wrong. Most areas have capacity issues and try to fix it by the staff that they have. Mostly because they interview 1000 people and pick 1 leaving the department underwater until they find the "someone who has that sparkle". BW does pay well, but don't be fooled by the bonus and raise. Most people do not exceed on “meeting expectations” (Which by the way is good), this means that you will get the standard raise and the company tends to stay even on their grade so you most of the time get your target bonus. The bonuses are broken out by an equation summed to: 25% company 75% you. There is a large algorithm that goes to that but that’s the short. Also, take your base pay and divide by 60-70hrs a week and see if you still think that the pay is good. BW feeds you, offers a lot of social events geared towards you co-mingling (re-socialization), they pay 100% of health insurance for you and your family, they have rock star buses that bring you to/from work if you live in the city, Ray opens up his homes in both VT and Mexico, if you are too tired to drive home you can stay for free at the "Look Out", they have drill down bars in 3 of the 4 locations (Friday afternoons everyone goes to the internal bar). Most importantly, BW ups your game. Forces you to think more critically and logically then you ever have before. I learned more there in the few months I was there then anywhere. As BW is a very intense place to work it can be very rewarding. I am at a new place running a division and some of the stuff that seems really inefficient and ridiculous at BW such as the Issue Logging (of everything that makes you want to kick your chair), the 5 step process to problem solving, the scripted Drill Downs, the Believable parties, the Double-Do, the Issue Log meetings, the lack of full knowledge firm wide (Nobody but Ray and maybe Greg Jenson have the full BW picture), I can see some value in these things now. I guess it is always easier to Monday morning QB. Feel free to give me feedback. I joined BW in October 2008 and left in July 2009. I had a very up and down experience. I happened to come across this website because as I was telling someone at my new company about life at BW he thought I was joking. People on the outside don’t understand.
Sounds cultish right? It is. I actually said that to my former manager when she was interviewing me and she agreed. You have to drink the cool-aid to survive there. Here is a bit of clarity on BW.
BW is very elite or so most of the kids think so. I say this because the median age is 28 and the vast majority of the employee’s come from the top tier schools. With that said BW does hire from all walks of life. I am an example of that.
The interview process varies from division to division. 100% of the time you will be judged on your cultural fit. I have had both an external interview and an internal interview. Getting in the door of BW was easy for me. I was a culture fit and I was capable. However, as I continually reflected on what I was doing and where I was going I realized that my role was not my passion. So I raised that to my manager. (2 things 1. Yes this is how they talk you should learn the buzz words quickly if you join BW and 2. Yes if you feel that you are not a good fit for your role you are encouraged to raise that without fear of being fired.) As I searched for a new role that would be a better fit for me I continued to do my job and interview in other areas. I interviewed for over 8 weeks with one department. 8 weeks and 14 people. This as I pointed out in my feedback to the department was badness. There was an obvious weakness in their ability to interview and they needed to drill down to find what the root cause of their inability to make a decision was.
Let me explain the process:
I met 2 senior colleges. They asked me questions about what my current role was, why I came to BW, what I liked and what I disliked about BW, how I could make a larger impact in another area, ect.. These general questions allowed them spring boards for peppering of questions. Why did you move to CT? What logic was behind it? How has the culture helped/frustrated you? Why do you think that weakness X is your biggest weakness? Seems your ego is talking when you say that you are more a creator? Have you painted yourself in a box? (Team Dimensions Test). This is more like the questions you get at a rapid fire rate. As you try to explain and say something they will just jump in and you need to be quick with an answer. It is very similar to a lawyer in a court room. I answered all their questions honestly (a must) and asked them for feedback. They both told me that they are not too sure that I would be a good fit in that department as it was too process oriented, but they needed time to think. I had many more interviews like this with this department. An interesting interview I had with a Leverager started out bad and ended pretty much the same. She had her head down at her desk when I showed up for the interview. I went to her assistant and asked if I could go in. She said no. So I waited. The Leverager came out in about 10 mins. looking for me and asked if I had been here the whole time. I said yes. She then proceeded to ask me why I had not come in and why I thought her time was more important than my time. And if I felt that I was less important than her and how long would I have waited. Threw me off a bit but that is pretty normal to just ask what you are thinking. There is no filtering at BW. As I was finishing up with her she asked me to write out all the things that you could use a brick and a blanket for in 2 mins. From those answers that I gave she assessed that I was too creative for the role and I would be bored. And ultimately it turned out that I would just be unhappy with the monotony that they did day in and out. I was more suited as a SMA. I did not pursue this. Remember this is just my experience all departments are different. However, for the most part it is a long process so you have to be patient if this is where you want to be.
At BW you are challenged everyday. There is no stagnate bar. You are expected to give 100%+ everyday and if you don’t you will know about it. You have to be able to handle that as well. As I learned my biggest weakness is giving Personal Negative Direct Actionable Feedback. This is a very common weakness with people as most have never experienced this type of culture in any other professional setting. But I was working on this problem. As long as you identify and are willing to admit problems/weaknesses and then work to overcome them you are living the culture. The working environment varies in each department. I had a bad group and didn’t mesh with my senior. We tried to talk it out but it was just not going to work. However, I did make a lot of friends and as a previous post stated it’s true you really don’t have time for outside friends. (And most of your outside friend’s prob. will not understand you after you start working there anyway). At BW there is no work life balance. It is said the average work day is 10 hr. That is a lie. An average work day is about 12-14 hours. And if you think that you are leaving in 10hrs. and people are ok with that you are more than likely wrong. Most areas have capacity issues and try to fix it by the staff that they have. Mostly because they interview 1000 people and pick 1 leaving the department underwater until they find the “someone who has that sparkle”.
BW does pay well, but don’t be fooled by the bonus and raise. Most people do not exceed on “meeting expectations” (Which by the way is good), this means that you will get the standard raise and the company tends to stay even on their grade so you most of the time get your target bonus. The bonuses are broken out by an equation summed to: 25% company 75% you. There is a large algorithm that goes to that but that’s the short. Also, take your base pay and divide by 60-70hrs a week and see if you still think that the pay is good.
BW feeds you, offers a lot of social events geared towards you co-mingling (re-socialization), they pay 100% of health insurance for you and your family, they have rock star buses that bring you to/from work if you live in the city, Ray opens up his homes in both VT and Mexico, if you are too tired to drive home you can stay for free at the “Look Out”, they have drill down bars in 3 of the 4 locations (Friday afternoons everyone goes to the internal bar). Most importantly, BW ups your game. Forces you to think more critically and logically then you ever have before. I learned more there in the few months I was there then anywhere.
As BW is a very intense place to work it can be very rewarding. I am at a new place running a division and some of the stuff that seems really inefficient and ridiculous at BW such as the Issue Logging (of everything that makes you want to kick your chair), the 5 step process to problem solving, the scripted Drill Downs, the Believable parties, the Double-Do, the Issue Log meetings, the lack of full knowledge firm wide (Nobody but Ray and maybe Greg Jenson have the full BW picture), I can see some value in these things now. I guess it is always easier to Monday morning QB.
Feel free to give me feedback.

]]> By: xingthing http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13507 xingthing Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:54:40 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13507 I interviewed with them about 6 months ago and I screwed up a basic question and felt terrible of doing that just after the telephonic interview... so I thought they would not give me a call back ..... this was for an IT experienced hire position I am now reconsidering interviewing there .... looks like they have not found the candidate that they are looking for ..... and are still interviewing ............ would they consider a 2nd chance there or its like - we found you short of what we want and you could never become what we want ?? . would rthey I interviewed with them about 6 months ago and I screwed up a basic question and felt terrible of doing that just after the telephonic interview… so I thought they would not give me a call back ….. this was for an IT experienced hire position
I am now reconsidering interviewing there …. looks like they have not found the candidate that they are looking for ….. and are still interviewing …………

would they consider a 2nd chance there or its like – we found you short of what we want and you could never become what we want ??
.

would rthey

]]> By: Research Data Analyst? http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13503 Research Data Analyst? Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:06:20 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13503 I know I'm not the first to ask this, but does anyone have any info on the Research Data Analyst position? Day-to-day, advancement opportunities, pay? I know I’m not the first to ask this, but does anyone have any info on the Research Data Analyst position? Day-to-day, advancement opportunities, pay?

]]> By: Willis T. Johnson http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13498 Willis T. Johnson Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:15:48 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13498 Know everyone is bright, yet, most are social misfits. The analytic approach is great, but you will not learn any skill that will benefit you in any other business or sector such as relationship building or making decisions based upon anything but hyper logic. Do not plan to truly enjoy a day at work, The principles, as they are applied, are debilitating. If you were to act like an owner from day on, you'd fire most of the people you work with. Know everyone is bright, yet, most are social misfits. The analytic approach is great, but you will not learn any skill that will benefit you in any other business or sector such as relationship building or making decisions based upon anything but hyper logic. Do not plan to truly enjoy a day at work, The principles, as they are applied, are debilitating. If you were to act like an owner from day on, you’d fire most of the people you work with.

]]> By: to bw emloyees http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13451 to bw emloyees Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:13:43 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13451 I had my last interview about three weeks ago which i followed up by email. i have not heard anything negative or positive ever since...what does it mean? they do not bother calling yo to say you are out.Or they are still considering? Thanks! I had my last interview about three weeks ago which i followed up by email. i have not heard anything negative or positive ever since…what does it mean? they do not bother calling yo to say you are out.Or they are still considering?
Thanks!

]]> By: Thank you http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13437 Thank you Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:45:54 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13437 Thank you for this great website. Because of it, I will not be returning calls from bwater for an interview. Thank you for this great website. Because of it, I will not be returning calls from bwater for an interview.

]]> By: What http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13349 What Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:21:48 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13349 It is a very average, not-so-smart organization with delusions of brilliance that defies any logic. Pretentions of humility, aka calling oneself dumbshit, are encouraged, while arrogance underlies every behavior. Well, a few folks up at the top are making great money for the firm, and everyone else thinks it is all because of their intelligence. You are on the top one day, and the next day you have pissed off someone considered "credible", and then your stock goes to zero. Meetings are pre-scripted, everyone bows to the powerful, and if you challenge then your judgement is considered flawed. Someone important, who has probably just passed you once in the hallway in the whole year, will write a tome on your performance, and that will drive your pay and bonus. Whimsical and arbitrary. Once you join, very quickly you are either "in" with the right crowd (which means your life is made!) or out, which means you should look for another job. It's got nothing to do with talent, but that is how they justify it inside. Since your life is made if you get "in" (which is a gamble worth playing), you should take up a job with Bridgewater if offered one. But see if you can get your ex-employer to keep the door open for you in case it doesn't work out. The work itself is quite pathetic. The top guys make the investment decisions, everyone else just runs around thinking what a great difference they are making. Processes suck, systems are terrible. You will be doing clerical work most of the time just piecing together data from text files in Excel. Unless you are joining as a "leverager" or "manager", in which case your work will be even more meaningless. There is no structure, nothing ever gets done as everything is doused out by constant pissing contests, as someone else rightly observed. They are making money, that excuses everything else. Organizationally, they are very mediocre in terms of their effectiveness. But they always think they are soooo way ahead of the curve. But making money and placing the right bets is all that counts in this industry, so you really shouldn't take anything personally if you can get to participate. It is a very average, not-so-smart organization with delusions of brilliance that defies any logic. Pretentions of humility, aka calling oneself dumbshit, are encouraged, while arrogance underlies every behavior. Well, a few folks up at the top are making great money for the firm, and everyone else thinks it is all because of their intelligence. You are on the top one day, and the next day you have pissed off someone considered “credible”, and then your stock goes to zero. Meetings are pre-scripted, everyone bows to the powerful, and if you challenge then your judgement is considered flawed. Someone important, who has probably just passed you once in the hallway in the whole year, will write a tome on your performance, and that will drive your pay and bonus. Whimsical and arbitrary. Once you join, very quickly you are either “in” with the right crowd (which means your life is made!) or out, which means you should look for another job. It’s got nothing to do with talent, but that is how they justify it inside.

Since your life is made if you get “in” (which is a gamble worth playing), you should take up a job with Bridgewater if offered one. But see if you can get your ex-employer to keep the door open for you in case it doesn’t work out.

The work itself is quite pathetic. The top guys make the investment decisions, everyone else just runs around thinking what a great difference they are making. Processes suck, systems are terrible. You will be doing clerical work most of the time just piecing together data from text files in Excel. Unless you are joining as a “leverager” or “manager”, in which case your work will be even more meaningless. There is no structure, nothing ever gets done as everything is doused out by constant pissing contests, as someone else rightly observed. They are making money, that excuses everything else. Organizationally, they are very mediocre in terms of their effectiveness. But they always think they are soooo way ahead of the curve. But making money and placing the right bets is all that counts in this industry, so you really shouldn’t take anything personally if you can get to participate.

]]> By: Please withold name http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-13242 Please withold name Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:07:00 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-13242 I have a few questioners for the employees on this discussion. Name Witheld Says: "..In some areas — IT, Security, DR — they are incredibly messed up and don’t know how to fix them...", What is DR? What is messed up in IT? I love the fact that they have a culture wherever anyone can raise questions about anyone else and I live in an incredibly (much more than bridgewater) succesful culture like that today. However, one of the things I have learned is that there is a need to be tactful. Is it considered "not brave" or "not smart" to be tactful in the way issues are raised. Can someone please spell out what an "issue log" is meant for? A complaints box followed by a meeting to discuss the complaint? Who discusses the complaint? What is the outcome if the employee just refuses to show up for the issue log meeting? I have a few questioners for the employees on this discussion.

Name Witheld Says: “..In some areas — IT, Security, DR — they are incredibly messed up and don’t know how to fix them…”,
What is DR?
What is messed up in IT?

I love the fact that they have a culture wherever anyone can raise questions about anyone else and I live in an incredibly (much more than bridgewater) succesful culture like that today. However, one of the things I have learned is that there is a need to be tactful. Is it considered “not brave” or “not smart” to be tactful in the way issues are raised.

Can someone please spell out what an “issue log” is meant for? A complaints box followed by a meeting to discuss the complaint? Who discusses the complaint? What is the outcome if the employee just refuses to show up for the issue log meeting?

]]> By: current employee http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-10836 current employee Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:06:40 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-10836 I've been working at Bridgewater for about 2 years and I'm really happy with my job, so I want to give you guys the perspective of someone who is enthusiastic about the company. Reading the comments about "negative culture" and "pissing contests" feels like looking at Bridgewater through a funhouse mirror... I recognize the activities that the posters are describing, but the descriptions are completely missing the point. Bridgewater values getting to the right answer through open-minded debate, and personal growth via learning from mistakes. Obviously, if those are your values, you're going to spend a lot of time focusing on problems and giving critical feedback, but I really believe that the vast majority of the time the intent is to make the team better and help people grow, and if you're able to check your ego at the door and engage with it you can learn and gain responsibility really quickly. There are always exceptions, of course, but by and large I would say that people really care about each other and that when words like "truth" and "openness" get thrown around it's because people are genuinely trying to get to the right answer. I can't relate to "Name withheld by request" 's comments about hierarchy and pissing orders -- you're allowed to and supposed to question your manager, included going above him if he gives you crappy answers. I've seen this happen on numerous occasions, and I'd say I've given more critical feedback to my boss than visa-versa. The leaders of the company really encourage people speaking up; the founder replies to emails from anyone in the company, for instance. So, when I read the other comments on this thread, my first reaction is to wonder why they aren't openly asking the questions and working through them: this is one of the rare places that you can actually do that. If they're really convinced that everyone around them is just cynically mouthing the company's ideals without really meaning them, then a) I'm not sure why they haven't left yet, and b) I think that probably says more about them than it does about Bridgewater. When I'm interviewing people for jobs there, I emphasize that it's not for everyone: it's a demanding environment, and you have to really want to grow as a person and get to the best answers. People with big egos, or who just want a paycheck, or who want to work on cool stuff but don't want to engage at a personal level don't do well there. A lot of people aren't interested in that kind of thing, and that's fine -- there are plenty of other places to work. Personally, though, I've had an amazing experience: I think I've learned more in my last two years than in any other period of my life. The people I've met there are incredibly talented, great people who I really trust. Anyway, you shouldn't take this second hand -- if what I'm describing resonates with you, check the place out and form your own opinion of what it's like. I’ve been working at Bridgewater for about 2 years and I’m really happy with my job, so I want to give you guys the perspective of someone who is enthusiastic about the company.

Reading the comments about “negative culture” and “pissing contests” feels like looking at Bridgewater through a funhouse mirror… I recognize the activities that the posters are describing, but the descriptions are completely missing the point. Bridgewater values getting to the right answer through open-minded debate, and personal growth via learning from mistakes. Obviously, if those are your values, you’re going to spend a lot of time focusing on problems and giving critical feedback, but I really believe that the vast majority of the time the intent is to make the team better and help people grow, and if you’re able to check your ego at the door and engage with it you can learn and gain responsibility really quickly. There are always exceptions, of course, but by and large I would say that people really care about each other and that when words like “truth” and “openness” get thrown around it’s because people are genuinely trying to get to the right answer.

I can’t relate to “Name withheld by request” ’s comments about hierarchy and pissing orders — you’re allowed to and supposed to question your manager, included going above him if he gives you crappy answers. I’ve seen this happen on numerous occasions, and I’d say I’ve given more critical feedback to my boss than visa-versa. The leaders of the company really encourage people speaking up; the founder replies to emails from anyone in the company, for instance. So, when I read the other comments on this thread, my first reaction is to wonder why they aren’t openly asking the questions and working through them: this is one of the rare places that you can actually do that. If they’re really convinced that everyone around them is just cynically mouthing the company’s ideals without really meaning them, then a) I’m not sure why they haven’t left yet, and b) I think that probably says more about them than it does about Bridgewater.

When I’m interviewing people for jobs there, I emphasize that it’s not for everyone: it’s a demanding environment, and you have to really want to grow as a person and get to the best answers. People with big egos, or who just want a paycheck, or who want to work on cool stuff but don’t want to engage at a personal level don’t do well there. A lot of people aren’t interested in that kind of thing, and that’s fine — there are plenty of other places to work. Personally, though, I’ve had an amazing experience: I think I’ve learned more in my last two years than in any other period of my life. The people I’ve met there are incredibly talented, great people who I really trust. Anyway, you shouldn’t take this second hand — if what I’m describing resonates with you, check the place out and form your own opinion of what it’s like.

]]> By: Bob http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-9496 Bob Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:29:50 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-9496 Reply to "Really Bob", I do not think you understood my point. Other hedge funds do not usually pay a "huge" salary for executing a list of trades. Risk management and decision making is synonymous with almost any trading job. From your post, it seems like you are one of the slaves working for Bridgewater. Let me know what you do there (except for buttkissing), I might be able to help you devise a better career path which allows you to live with dignity. Reply to “Really Bob”,

I do not think you understood my point. Other hedge funds do not usually pay a “huge” salary for executing a list of trades. Risk management and decision making is synonymous with almost any trading job.

From your post, it seems like you are one of the slaves working for Bridgewater. Let me know what you do there (except for buttkissing), I might be able to help you devise a better career path which allows you to live with dignity.

]]> By: Can't say http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-9488 Can't say Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:40:53 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-9488 Bridgewater is all about seeking "truth" above everything else. Only a few "believable parties" (read: a handful of old timers, or some new ones that have sucked their way up successfully) have a monopoly on the "truth". If you challenge their version of the truth, then you are being deflective, and not reflective. You do that a couple of times, you lose your job. "Excellence" means pissing on everyone else all the time. Of course, don't piss on the important believable guys, you will be in trouble. Pick on the weak struggling ones. You will regarded as insightful. Money no good for experienced hires. If you want to be insulted everyday for why you sent this email, or why you called this person, or why what you wrote isn't exactly worded the way I would have thought about it, then yes, Bridgewater is the place for you. Bridgewater is all about seeking “truth” above everything else. Only a few “believable parties” (read: a handful of old timers, or some new ones that have sucked their way up successfully) have a monopoly on the “truth”. If you challenge their version of the truth, then you are being deflective, and not reflective. You do that a couple of times, you lose your job. “Excellence” means pissing on everyone else all the time. Of course, don’t piss on the important believable guys, you will be in trouble. Pick on the weak struggling ones. You will regarded as insightful. Money no good for experienced hires. If you want to be insulted everyday for why you sent this email, or why you called this person, or why what you wrote isn’t exactly worded the way I would have thought about it, then yes, Bridgewater is the place for you.

]]> By: Vbhalla http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-9412 Vbhalla Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:48:14 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-9412 Anyone have any insight on the Research Data Analyst position? Responsibilities, salary, bonus, etc...? Anyone have any insight on the Research Data Analyst position? Responsibilities, salary, bonus, etc…?

]]> By: tara http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-9351 tara Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:05:16 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-9351 all these posts are very helpful - and its interesting to see how different people react to different environments. one thing i am curious about is how they deal with "praise" in this "open" environment. Does it exist? Or does the open environment only refer to negative conversation? for those who have worked at bwater - have you ever gotten any praise for your work? all these posts are very helpful – and its interesting to see how different people react to different environments. one thing i am curious about is how they deal with “praise” in this “open” environment. Does it exist? Or does the open environment only refer to negative conversation? for those who have worked at bwater – have you ever gotten any praise for your work?

]]> By: really Bob? http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-9286 really Bob? Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:14:22 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-9286 Bob, that all depends on what you consider a "huge salary" And if you're used to making a "huge" salary i find it interesting you're asking if BW does. Is it that you're currently trading and not making "huge" money and feel it's deserved--i.e. never made "huge" money? or Is it that you make "huge" money and are wondering if you will maintain your "huge" salary and then some by making the transition to BW? In either case very amateur--you never made "huge" money kind of question. Bob, that all depends on what you consider a “huge salary” And if you’re used to making a “huge” salary i find it interesting you’re asking if BW does.

Is it that you’re currently trading and not making “huge” money and feel it’s deserved–i.e. never made “huge” money?
or
Is it that you make “huge” money and are wondering if you will maintain your “huge” salary and then some by making the transition to BW?

In either case very amateur–you never made “huge” money kind of question.

]]> By: Bob http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-9079 Bob Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:55:23 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-9079 Thanks for the response, Employee. Based on what you said, it appears that a trader is not allowed to make his own decisions. That makes the job dull and significantly less challenging. Technically, he should not even be called a trader if all he is allowed to do is executing the trades according to the instructions. Although, not having to make a decision does make a job less stressful. Do they still pay a huge salary for a trader job ? Thanks again. Thanks for the response, Employee.

Based on what you said, it appears that a trader is not allowed to make his own decisions. That makes the job dull and significantly less challenging. Technically, he should not even be called a trader if all he is allowed to do is executing the trades according to the instructions. Although, not having to make a decision does make a job less stressful. Do they still pay a huge salary for a trader job ?

Thanks again.

]]> By: employee http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-9044 employee Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:01:31 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-9044 negative culture: * issue log and drilldowns aka "pissing contests" (these are quite real and almost never lead to their goal - better outcome) * very high people rotation and attrition rates in certain departments * not very smart, but "culturally fit" people are in the middle * almost cult-like environment trader job in BW is not very creative. In a nutshell: trader has list of trades, and is responsible for executing them according to the instructions. negative culture:
* issue log and drilldowns aka “pissing contests” (these are quite real and almost never lead to their goal – better outcome)
* very high people rotation and attrition rates in certain departments
* not very smart, but “culturally fit” people are in the middle
* almost cult-like environment

trader job in BW is not very creative. In a nutshell: trader has list of trades, and is responsible for executing them according to the instructions.

]]> By: Bob http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-9013 Bob Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:03:44 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-9013 Hi employee, Could you care to elaborate on "negative" culture ? Do you know what kind of work does traders do there ? Thanks. Hi employee,

Could you care to elaborate on “negative” culture ? Do you know what kind of work does traders do there ?
Thanks.

]]> By: employee http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-8975 employee Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:27:08 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-8975 As more than a year employee of BW looking to leave, I strongly suggest to think twice before joining. You can learn something there (as long as you filter out bs) but company had passed the stage where it worth staying. But if you're looking for just yet another job - might be a nice, though very very stressful, place. And it's stressful not because of hard and interesting work, but BS and "negative" culture. As more than a year employee of BW looking to leave, I strongly suggest to think twice before joining.
You can learn something there (as long as you filter out bs) but company had passed the stage where it worth staying. But if you’re looking for just yet another job – might be a nice, though very very stressful, place. And it’s stressful not because of hard and interesting work, but BS and “negative” culture.

]]> By: Bob http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-8663 Bob Sun, 31 May 2009 01:46:58 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-8663 Hello, Does anyone know what a typical job of a trader is like at BW ? Are they hiring any traders at this point ? Thanks. Hello,

Does anyone know what a typical job of a trader is like at BW ?
Are they hiring any traders at this point ?
Thanks.

]]> By: BW Candidate http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-8625 BW Candidate Fri, 29 May 2009 20:42:25 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-8625 Wow, this is probably the first time I have read every single comment on a blog posting like this. Some heated discussion. I'd have to agree with the original post the BW does have an amazing number of entry-level opportunities (which, in an economy like this, I'm thankful for). I am supposed to interview for a Research Data Analyst position for BW. Do current, or former, employees have any information that may be useful? What are daily duties like? What is the compensation like? I know the compensation is "enough" or "plenty", but I currently live in NJ. Is it worth moving to CT for? I have a few other opportunities that I'm interviewing for as well, all in the NYC area. BW seems more like my place though - long hours, competitive environment - I thrive on things like that. Input would be appreciated. Thanks! Wow, this is probably the first time I have read every single comment on a blog posting like this. Some heated discussion. I’d have to agree with the original post the BW does have an amazing number of entry-level opportunities (which, in an economy like this, I’m thankful for).

I am supposed to interview for a Research Data Analyst position for BW. Do current, or former, employees have any information that may be useful? What are daily duties like? What is the compensation like? I know the compensation is “enough” or “plenty”, but I currently live in NJ. Is it worth moving to CT for?

I have a few other opportunities that I’m interviewing for as well, all in the NYC area. BW seems more like my place though – long hours, competitive environment – I thrive on things like that.

Input would be appreciated. Thanks!

]]> By: Name withheld by request http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-8088 Name withheld by request Tue, 05 May 2009 03:14:28 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-8088 Interesting reading. I currently work at BW, and here are some things more things you should consider if you are planning to work there. First off it, it is an "open" environment, meaning anyone and everyone can and will point out your weaknesses at any time. There is a well-defined pecking order, where your manager (or the person most likely to give you grief) will have his or her manager or grief-giver, and so on up the line to the Ray-man, who gives it to all. The "discussions" are generally one-sided, and as other writers have said, generally devolve into pissing contests with no resolutions or outcomes. Nothing seems to ever get fixed, no direction known. They will call you out for the way you speak and write, which can be unsettling for anyone, especially an experienced hire. The worst sessions are the issue log meetings, which are generally pre-determined before the actual meeting is held and fairly well-scripted. There is a planned outcome, and the receiver is generally best off quickly admitting an error early and forestalling further probing. BW has an established 5 step problem resolution process, but it is rarely used. I have never witnessed anything that went past the problems stage, i.e., no solutions or changes in the processes or causes. Often the "root cause" is defined as someone's personal shortcoming, and not really the real root of the problem. BW believes it takes about 18 months to fully inculcate a person into their culture. It will be a long and possibly tortuous process. There are over 100 mgt. principles from the Ray-man himself, and people tote copies around with them and refer to it as if it were the Bible. Reminds me of an old joke, where there were a bunch of guys in a prison, and every once in a while a prisoner would shout out a number and everyone would laugh. Finally one of the guards asked what was going on. One of the prisoners said that they all were in jail so long together, that they all knew the same jokes so well, that after a while the prisoners just shouted out a number and everyone knew what the joke was. Same at BW, someone refers to principle number 71, and everyone nods in sage agreement. BW has grown too quickly the past few years, and they are suffering for it. As several other readers have stated, they have hired very young, inexperienced people from the best schools -- that's one of the principles -- hire great people, they'll figure it all out. They do not have a middle level of management, and are especially lacking seasoned people who have actually accomplished anything, and they are suffering for it. The young and smart people just don't know how to get things accomplished. That, and a lack of people skills prevents them from really establishing teams with clear goals, tasks, and deliverables. In some areas -- IT, Security, DR -- they are incredibly messed up and don't know how to fix them. The people responsible for the messes are still there and resist any organizational or operational changes, usually under the guise of principles and culture. So a vicious cycle of "rinse and repeat" to coin a favorite BW-ism, continues where inexperienced, ineffective, and incompetent people continue on, resisting change and outside influence. Interesting reading. I currently work at BW, and here are some things more things you should consider if you are planning to work there. First off it, it is an “open” environment, meaning anyone and everyone can and will point out your weaknesses at any time. There is a well-defined pecking order, where your manager (or the person most likely to give you grief) will have his or her manager or grief-giver, and so on up the line to the Ray-man, who gives it to all. The “discussions” are generally one-sided, and as other writers have said, generally devolve into pissing contests with no resolutions or outcomes. Nothing seems to ever get fixed, no direction known.

They will call you out for the way you speak and write, which can be unsettling for anyone, especially an experienced hire. The worst sessions are the issue log meetings, which are generally pre-determined before the actual meeting is held and fairly well-scripted. There is a planned outcome, and the receiver is generally best off quickly admitting an error early and forestalling further probing. BW has an established 5 step problem resolution process, but it is rarely used. I have never witnessed anything that went past the problems stage, i.e., no solutions or changes in the processes or causes. Often the “root cause” is defined as someone’s personal shortcoming, and not really the real root of the problem.

BW believes it takes about 18 months to fully inculcate a person into their culture. It will be a long and possibly tortuous process. There are over 100 mgt. principles from the Ray-man himself, and people tote copies around with them and refer to it as if it were the Bible. Reminds me of an old joke, where there were a bunch of guys in a prison, and every once in a while a prisoner would shout out a number and everyone would laugh. Finally one of the guards asked what was going on. One of the prisoners said that they all were in jail so long together, that they all knew the same jokes so well, that after a while the prisoners just shouted out a number and everyone knew what the joke was.

Same at BW, someone refers to principle number 71, and everyone nods in sage agreement.

BW has grown too quickly the past few years, and they are suffering for it. As several other readers have stated, they have hired very young, inexperienced people from the best schools — that’s one of the principles — hire great people, they’ll figure it all out. They do not have a middle level of management, and are especially lacking seasoned people who have actually accomplished anything, and they are suffering for it. The young and smart people just don’t know how to get things accomplished. That, and a lack of people skills prevents them from really establishing teams with clear goals, tasks, and deliverables.

In some areas — IT, Security, DR — they are incredibly messed up and don’t know how to fix them. The people responsible for the messes are still there and resist any organizational or operational changes, usually under the guise of principles and culture. So a vicious cycle of “rinse and repeat” to coin a favorite BW-ism, continues where inexperienced, ineffective, and incompetent people continue on, resisting change and outside influence.

]]> By: KRASH http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-7926 KRASH Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:20:21 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-7926 Hi, I have an interview coming up in a couple of days - I would be what is considered to be an experienced hire. I am VERY interested in knowing the average salary for the Fund Accountant/Portfolio Administrator position; does the base alone touches 90k plus? ANY, and I beg you that ANY "helpful" feed back would be appreciated BEYOND words! Thanks!! Hi,
I have an interview coming up in a couple of days – I would be what is considered to be an experienced hire.
I am VERY interested in knowing the average salary for the Fund Accountant/Portfolio Administrator position; does the base alone touches 90k plus? ANY, and I beg you that ANY “helpful” feed back would be appreciated BEYOND words!

Thanks!!

]]> By: WestportMan http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-7742 WestportMan Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:04:51 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-7742 @Curious mind For experienced hires it is a first round screening process over the phone. They get very detailed with aspects of your resume and want to know it in and out. Think of it as a sanity check to make sure you are not BS'ing anything on your resume. They might also target specific things about your resume that might have similar ways of thinking to the current job you are applying to. After the first initial screening, if you are called back, you will go visit the Westport campus. You will be required to fill out a Meyers-Briggs style questionnaire before heading on over, either the main one or the one at Nyala Farms. Most likely you will meet a series of people for a two on one interview process. Usually a senior and a more junior guy. They will again ask you detailed questions about your resume, try to understand your manner of thinking. On many occasions they will challenge your thinking to see how you react under pressure and why you made certain decisions in your life and if they were the right ones. For the investment analysts type positions they do ask "brain teasers" of sorts. There are a few books out there that can help put you in the mindset, but the closest that this comes to are those off the wall questions often asked by Google and Microsoft that test your intellectual and analytical ability. Questions like how many manholes are in New York? Or if you took a cup of coffee and a cup of tea, poured a teaspoon of tea into the coffee cup and poured a teaspoon of that coffee/tea mixture into the tea cup what proportion of tea and coffee would you have in each cup. After that, if they like you, you might go for another round of interviews, and if you're high up enough meet Dalio himself. Then you will get an offer... @Curious mind
For experienced hires it is a first round screening process over the phone. They get very detailed with aspects of your resume and want to know it in and out. Think of it as a sanity check to make sure you are not BS’ing anything on your resume. They might also target specific things about your resume that might have similar ways of thinking to the current job you are applying to.

After the first initial screening, if you are called back, you will go visit the Westport campus. You will be required to fill out a Meyers-Briggs style questionnaire before heading on over, either the main one or the one at Nyala Farms. Most likely you will meet a series of people for a two on one interview process. Usually a senior and a more junior guy. They will again ask you detailed questions about your resume, try to understand your manner of thinking. On many occasions they will challenge your thinking to see how you react under pressure and why you made certain decisions in your life and if they were the right ones.

For the investment analysts type positions they do ask “brain teasers” of sorts. There are a few books out there that can help put you in the mindset, but the closest that this comes to are those off the wall questions often asked by Google and Microsoft that test your intellectual and analytical ability. Questions like how many manholes are in New York? Or if you took a cup of coffee and a cup of tea, poured a teaspoon of tea into the coffee cup and poured a teaspoon of that coffee/tea mixture into the tea cup what proportion of tea and coffee would you have in each cup.

After that, if they like you, you might go for another round of interviews, and if you’re high up enough meet Dalio himself. Then you will get an offer…

]]> By: curious mind http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-7682 curious mind Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:02:08 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-7682 what is the interview process for experienced hire? do they usually conduct a phone interview then proceed further to face-to-face? is it one round or more? From what i gathered, it sounds like they are not too interested in your experiences but more so on your analytical and logical thinking? is it similar to those consulting interview questions, where they love to ask you 'how many golf balls are in this world?' what is the interview process for experienced hire? do they usually conduct a phone interview then proceed further to face-to-face? is it one round or more?
From what i gathered, it sounds like they are not too interested in your experiences but more so on your analytical and logical thinking? is it similar to those consulting interview questions, where they love to ask you ‘how many golf balls are in this world?’

]]> By: kwakoo http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-7674 kwakoo Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:47:15 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-7674 If you can't take the heat, cry on your Mama's apron If you can’t take the heat, cry on your Mama’s apron

]]> By: Ducky Jane http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-7551 Ducky Jane Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:59:27 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-7551 I am interviewing for the facilities department, receptionist to be specific. I understand the interview process is rigorous at Bridgewater, however, could it be tailored for specific departments? In which case does anyone have an idea of what to expect for phase two- facilities department? I am interviewing for the facilities department, receptionist to be specific. I understand the interview process is rigorous at Bridgewater, however, could it be tailored for specific departments? In which case does anyone have an idea of what to expect for phase two- facilities department?

]]> By: interested http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/bridgewater-associates/#comment-7508 interested Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:45:44 +0000 http://www.onedayonejob.com/?p=740#comment-7508 Anybody know anything about the group interviews for the entry-level jobs? Or know anything about the Portfolio Accountant jobs in particular? Anybody know anything about the group interviews for the entry-level jobs? Or know anything about the Portfolio Accountant jobs in particular?

]]>