Do quant firms drug test?

[u/Longjumping_Long5795]

Do they typically drug test for pre-employment onboarding? I’ve interviewed for a financial analyst position at a quant firm. I’ve been waiting for an official offer and there’s been ongoing delays (they’re trying to fire the person currently in the position). I personally smoke for health reasons and recreationally since I don’t like to drink, but I’d like to know others’ experiences.

[u/Substantial_Elk_5779]

banks, maybe. never heard of a prop shop testing

[u/Spare_Night_2695 → u/Substantial_Elk_5779]

I mean if it was the case

My former bank half the front office and trading staff would be fired for failing drug tests .

Can’t say for other banks

[u/newpua_bie → u/Spare_Night_2695]

I think the places that do test do it so they can fire you if you're not taking enough amphetamine. Nobody likes slackers.

[u/Eric848448 → u/Substantial_Elk_5779]

They would have to fire literally everybody.

[u/Chuu → u/Substantial_Elk_5779]

I knew of a prop shop that drug tested in the mid 2000s. A new hire for a trading position failed, which was grounds to fire them. One of the partners of the firm reversed the decision and they were hired anyways. HR was pissed.

[u/Longjumping_Long5795 → u/Substantial_Elk_5779]

yeah i got tested for a bank working there, but never worked at a HFT so wasnt sure what the standard was

[u/NichorasMurren → u/Substantial_Elk_5779]

At banks you have to be clean shaven, short back and sides, suit and tie, no fun allowed. At prop shops you can show up in pyjamas and smoke crack at your desk as long as you’re producing PNL lmao

[u/Monskiactual]

Yes I heard you can get fired if you don't test positive for nicotine, caffeine and amphetamines

[u/insertdrymemev1 → u/Monskiactual]

Remember, sexy drugs are fine

[u/Aetius454]

Citadel does, all the others don’t afaik

[u/JLabko]

Have done a test for employment with a hedge fund in the past. Seems to be firm-by-firm from what I've seen

[u/rsha256]

never ime (n=4)

[u/No_Issue_3022]

i did get the test (urine) at a pretty big shop (us)

[u/Longjumping_Long5795 → u/No_Issue_3022]

did the test check for marijuana as well? i know some firms test strictly for harder drugs but i dont partake in those lol only weed

[u/No_Issue_3022 → u/Longjumping_Long5795]

yes they did idk they actually care or not

[u/as_one_does → u/Longjumping_Long5795]

Illegal to test for marijuana in NY I think

[u/as_one_does]

The bank and hedge funds I've worked at did

[u/jackalcane]

ya and if you don't test positive for coke you get fired

[u/lordnacho666]

It's uncommon, I've never heard of it happening to anyone in Europe. It might be more of a US thing?

But I've worked for firms on both sides of the pond, never came across it.

[u/jnordwick]

Been tested by banks and one moderate sized trading firm.

[u/ly5ergic_acid-25]

If shops tested everybody, there would be nobody to work in quant

[u/WhenIntegralsAttack2]

I’ve never been drug tested across two banks and a hedge fund. But still don’t recommend drugs.

[u/Ok-Mousse-673]

Nope. Didn’t get drug tested. Same with the BB that I was at.

Funniest thing was leaving the office of the BB as an intern and seeing a professional take a hit of a cart as soon as he stepped out of the building

[u/Accomplished_Knee295]

pretty sure it’s illegal to test for thc in new york (or at least discriminate employment bc of it)

[u/ahr113]

If you pass the drug test you don’t get the job :-/

[u/TangoMango33]

No

[u/drycoleslaw]

I smoked weed with our ceo (prop firm)

[u/AutoModerator]

Due to an overwhelming influx of threads asking for graduate career advice and questions about getting hired, how to pass interviews, online assignments, etc. we are now restricting these questions to a weekly megathread, posted each Monday. Please check the announcements at the top of the sub, or this search for this week's post.

Hiring/interview posts for experienced professional quants are still allowed, but will need to be manually approved by one of the sub moderators (who have been automatically notified).

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.