The D.E. Shaw Rotational Associate interview process includes behavioral interviews, case studies, and analytical questions, assessing problem-solving, communication, and adaptability across multiple virtual rounds over several weeks. It was a good experience.

I did an initial 30-minutes interview with someone from a "systematic" investing team (i.e. quant). Super smart and likeable PhD who had worked at DE Shaw for 7 years. I was asked a mix of motivational and behavioral questions with follow-ups on the examples I provided. I was asked a brain teaser that I solved (with a little bit of help). After a couple of days I was invited to the next round, which consisted of two 45 minutes interviews, a timed case study, and a discussion of the case study with an Analyst in charge of a "discretionary" investment team that I could have worked at if hired (it was an equities team and the industry focus was what I covered in investment banking). One of the first two interviews was with someone from another investing team, while the other one with someone senior working in IR. Both interviews were similar to the first one and focused on motivational and behavioral questions. The case study was simple but the time provided to do it was quite limited. I didn't do a great job there. I had a short interview with the Analyst but it was clear that I wouldn't pass at that point.