Software Engineer Interview Experience - Chicago, Illinois
Process
I had a behavioral interview for the Optiver Graduate Software role. It was about 30 minutes long, and the overall experience was good.
They asked general behavioral questions. I did some research beforehand and practiced the questions. I will list the questions I was asked below:
Questions
Please introduce yourself.
Talk about your project experience.
Why are you applying to this company?
What qualities/skills should a good software engineer have?
Among these qualities, which ones do you need to improve?
What have you grown the most in? Give an example.
How would your teammates likely evaluate you?
If someone doesn’t want to work with you, what could be the reason?
What other companies have you applied to?
What are your criteria for choosing a company?
What does your ideal work environment look like?
Final Q&A session.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 21 interview experiences for the Optiver Software Engineer role in Chicago, Illinois.
Success Rate
Optiver's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in Chicago, Illinois is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Optiver's Software Engineer interview process in Chicago, Illinois.
Optiver Work Experiences
- 5.0Fast paced but with real impactSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeOctober 2, 2025Pros: It's a fast-paced company so may be stressful to some but every day is different and you can make a lot of impact which will be recognized and rewarded fairlyCons: Stressful Skills might not be super transferable
- 5.0InterestingSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeNew York, NYOctober 2, 2025Pros: Interesting work environment with intellectuals.Cons: Frustrating micro managing when underperforming.
- 5.0Fast-paced, rewarding, and intellectually stimulatingSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeAmsterdamJuly 13, 2025Pros: Optiver offers an incredible environment for growth, with smart colleagues, a strong focus on collaboration, and a culture that values ownership and impact. The compensation is competitive, the benefits are excellent, and the company supports continuous learning and innovation.Cons: The pace can be intense, and expectations are high. It's not a place for those who prefer a slow or highly structured corporate environment.
Optiver Interview Questions
