The process starts with applying through Optiver's website. They will call you if you are shortlisted for an interview.

Step 1: HR Call After arranging a telephonic call, I spoke to the HR at the allotted date and time. It was a freewheeling discussion on my current work, past work, what I am passionate about, and why I would like to join Optiver. You can relax here and be fairly certain that you shall go to the next level. Just keep your answers to the point and ask any relevant questions (like what the hiring process is like, job expectations, etc.).

Step 2: Online Test This is a programmer aptitude test from Brainbench. You can look up online for a range of questions asked in the aptitude test. It is fairly straightforward and you should pass it after a few test runs.

Step 3: Final Round If you pass the online test, HR arranges a date and time for the final round, which is broken down into 3 steps.

• Step 3a: Technical Test This contains questions regarding data structures (HashSet vs. Binary Search Tree, implementing a FIFO structure), writing test cases, analyzing code, and writing a program to solve a problem. Nothing you can't handle if you are a skilled programmer. Duration of test: 90 minutes

• Step 3b: HR Round If you pass the technical test, you go to the HR round. If you don't, it's goodbye! The HR round for me was carried out by the same lady who did the telephonic interview. It was again a freewheeling discussion about my current work, past work experiences, the challenges I have faced (technically and professionally), and why I would like to join Optiver. Be relaxed here, listen to the HR, ask questions (if any), and answer questions to the point. You should nail this unless you create some red flags regarding your behavior or thought process.

• Step 3c: Technical Interview If you pass Step 3b, you finally move to the technical interview. I had a manager and a senior developer who took the interview. The manager gave me an architecture/design problem relating to a trading system. The questions were around how I would design the module, handle race conditions, and ensure all validations are carried out, etc. The technical interviewers try to figure out your thought process and ask questions around your design. The interview is fairly high-level (at least for me) and they did not go into specifics of .Net/C#.

Conclusion I completed all the steps of the interview process. After 3 days, I was told that I did not pass the technical interview.

My Observations I was fairly certain of landing an offer as I thought Step 3c went fairly well. However, it seems they were not fully convinced if I was the best choice.