As a top quantitative trading firm, Optiver has always been known for its high selection standards and "multiple rounds of high-pressure + multi-dimensional examination" process. Optiver has always been known for its high selection standards and "multiple rounds of high-pressure + multi-dimensional examination" process, especially the Zap-N game, which has made countless skilled people suffer. This time, the student we assisted applied for Optiver's SDE Intern position. From OA to three rounds of interviews, we accompanied him throughout the whole process, focusing on algorithms, system design, stress response and English expression, and then made targeted strategies, and ultimately took the interview offer smoothly.
Part OA: Algorithms + Theory + Zap-N, a hardcore exam with all three items flying together
Optiver's OA isn't just a programming test like traditional tech companies; it's three pieces:
Algorithmic Questions (2): We locked the most likely "LogServer" log processing and a graph traversal question from our internal question bank and did mock training in advance. When we took the exam, the type of questions the student got matched what we predicted almost exactly.
Basic theory questions (multiple choice): biased operating system + algorithmic basis, although not much online problem solving, but we have collated the past 40+ students summary, summarized a dozen high-frequency test points, the test before the surprise explanation to ensure that he is stable.
Zap-N game test: This piece of the main test of reflexes, memory and logical reasoning, is the first experience of many people on the collapse of the point. We provided "full-flow trial + simulation training + rhythm control hints" to help him get through the familiarity, and in the end, although he shouted "very tired", his score was much higher than the average.
First Round: HR Behavioral interview
A lot of people think that behavioral interviews are "casual conversations", but they are not at all. We reminded him from the beginning, "The HR interview is the easiest to screen out, so don't take it lightly." We prepared six STAR framework stories around Optiver's culture in advance, covering key topics such as technical difficulties, teamwork, and rapid learning.
He chose three sets of stories highlighting how he independently drove data consistency validation during a database migration project, and a quick response to being pulled in temporarily to handle an interface anomaly, and HR's reaction to hearing them was, "You didn't memorize it, you actually experienced it." The extra points are very obvious.
Second Round: Coding + System Design
In this round, we had remote on-line assistance, and the Coding part was a Concurrency Queue implementation question, although the students chose Python, but without IDE assistance, the debugging difficulty was very high. We simulated the code logic with VSCode on the side, located two boundary bugs that were easy to miss, and prompted them in real time through bone conduction: "name the variables differently" and "tell me the boundary again".
The System Design section is a ticketing system architecture question. We used three rounds of exercises to familiarize him with database transaction management, service splitting, delay compensation and other key points; on the day of the interview, we only reminded him of "from function disassembly → component → fault tolerance", he finished the process smoothly, and the interviewer asked him if he had any microservices combat experience.
Third Round: Multi-threading + engineering ability to pull off a full battle
The exam question involves multi-thread scheduling + event queue, we drew a thread state diagram for him before to build up memory hooks, he wrote the code very quickly during the exam, but the explanation was a bit hasty, we prompted him to "tell us the order of queue processing", "give us an example of a race condition". The interviewer was very satisfied.
Post-Interview Summary: Strategic Response is the Best Solution
This student ended up passing all the sessions, our experience:
- Zap-N game advance familiarity + simulated rhythm training is crucial!
- English expression and system design can be greatly improved by templates and corpus accumulation.
- Complex system problems require logical organization + terminology, not just project experience
FAQ｜Optiver SDE Interview Your most important questions are here!
Q1: Why is Optiver's OA harder than the average tech company?
A1: Because it tests programming, reaction time, mathematical logic, and system control, the Zap-N game is designed to screen out people who are stressed out in the field.
Q2: Can Zap-N games be practiced? How to coach?
A2: Yes. We offer a "Simulation Training System + Rhythm Control Techniques + Attention Anchoring Methods" to help you go from a 60 to a 90+.
Q3: Are the algorithm questions LeetCode style?
A3: Similar but more "atypical" - bizarre range of data, need to consider extremes and system simulations.
Q4: Behavioral facets of casual conversation?
A4: No. Optiver HR wants you to be "stable + collaborative + iterate quickly". We customize STAR frameworks, corporate culture language, and make sure answers are in-depth.
Q5: How can I get counseling on system design?
A5: Layers of exercises from function → architecture → details → expandability, real-time bone conduction tips in the exam to ensure that the professional does not run out of steam.
Q6: What about full English interviews?
A6: We have "Chinese to English" templates + technical English expression training, including common terminology and segmented expression sentence patterns.
Full process assistance from Programhelp
| Type of service | concrete content |
|---|---|
| OA Exam Preparation | High Frequency Algorithmic Questions + Theory Questions + Zap-N Simulation Training |
| Technical Coaching | Coding Implementation + Multi-threaded System Questions + Online Walkthroughs |
| English expression | HR interview story polishing + systematic design of English templates + one-on-one speaking practice |
| Interview online assistance | Real-time assistance, bone conduction alerts, debug boundary case alerts |
Programhelp Helping to get to shore Optiver
Optiver interview process is complicated, not only testing algorithm, system design, but also Zap-N game test. programhelp provides full-process running with you: remote non-trace assistance, English question and answer guidance, Zap-N rhythm training, system design template practice, helping you to stabilize the rhythm and improve performance. Many students have successfully passed Optiver, Jane Street, IMC and other quantitative posts with our help, accompanying them all the way from preparation to disembarkation.
Want to get to the bank efficiently? Private message "Optiver" in the background to get exclusive coaching program.
