Optiver Trader Interview Questions and Answers

I am a highly motivated individual with a passion for problem-solving and a strong work ethic.

• I have a degree in computer science and have worked as a software engineer for 3 years.

• I enjoy learning new technologies and am always looking for ways to improve my skills.

• In my free time, I like to read books on personal development and practice yoga.

• I am a team player and enjoy collaborating with others to achieve common go

I am proficient in Python and Java.

• I have experience in developing web applications using Django framework in Python.

• I have also worked on Java projects using Spring framework.

• I am familiar with object-oriented programming concepts and data structures.

• I have worked on projects involving database management using SQL.

• I am constantly learning and improving my skills in these languages.

I have knowledge of various DS, but I personally like Decision Trees.

• I have worked with Linear Regression, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Decision Trees.

• Decision Trees are easy to interpret and visualize.

• They can handle both categorical and numerical data.

• They can be used for both classification and regression problems.

• An example of using Decision Trees is in predicting customer churn for a telecom company.

Hashing is a technique to convert data of arbitrary size to a fixed size. Hash table is a data structure that uses hashing to store data.

• Hashing is used to index and retrieve items in a database because it is faster than other methods.

• Hash table is a data structure that uses a hash function to map keys to array indices.

• Hashing key is the input to the hash function that produces a hash value.

• Hashing is used in password ...read more

My day was good. Previous interviews were challenging but I learned a lot.

• Had a productive day at work

• Interviewed with two companies last week

• One interview was technical and the other was behavioral

• Received positive feedback from both companies

Stacks and queues are data structures used to store and manipulate collections of elements.

• Stacks follow the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle, where the last element added is the first one to be removed.

• Queues follow the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle, where the first element added is the first one to be removed.

• Examples of stacks include the call stack in programming and the undo/redo feature in text editors.

• Ex...read more

Yes, we can implement queues using two stacks.

• We can use two stacks, one for enqueue operation and another for dequeue operation.

• To enqueue an element, push it onto the first stack.

• To dequeue an element, pop all elements from the first stack and push them onto the second stack, then pop the top element from the second stack.

• This ensures that the first element that was enqueued is the first one to be dequeued.

• Time compl...read more

Yes, we can implement circular queues using two stacks.

• We can use two stacks to implement a circular queue.

• One stack will be used for enqueue operation and the other for dequeue operation.

• When the enqueue stack is full, we can transfer all elements to the dequeue stack and vice versa.

• This way, we can maintain the circular nature of the queue.

• Example: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/queue-using-stacks/

Heap sort is a comparison-based sorting algorithm that uses a binary heap data structure.

• It divides the input into a sorted and an unsorted region.

• It repeatedly extracts the maximum element from the unsorted region and inserts it into the sorted region.

• It has a worst-case time complexity of O(n log n).

Yes, I know other sorting algorithms.

• Examples: Merge Sort, Quick Sort, Heap Sort, Bubble Sort, Insertion Sort, Selection Sort

• Each algorithm has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• The choice of algorithm depends on the size of the data set and the desired time complexity.

I have knowledge of various DS, but I personally like Decision Trees.

• I have worked with Linear Regression, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Decision Trees.

• Decision Trees are easy to interpret and visualize.

• They can handle both categorical and numerical data.

• They can be used for both classification and regression problems.

• An example of using Decision Trees is in predicting customer churn for a telecom company.

Hashing is a technique to convert data of arbitrary size to a fixed size. Hash table is a data structure that uses hashing to store data.

• Hashing is used to index and retrieve items in a database because it is faster than other methods.

• Hash table is a data structure that uses a hash function to map keys to array indices.

• Hashing key is the input to the hash function that produces a hash value.

• Hashing is used in password ...read more

Stacks and queues are data structures used to store and manipulate collections of elements.

• Stacks follow the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) principle, where the last element added is the first one to be removed.

• Queues follow the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principle, where the first element added is the first one to be removed.

• Examples of stacks include the call stack in programming and the undo/redo feature in text editors.

• Ex...read more

Yes, queues can be implemented using stacks.

• To implement a queue using stacks, we can use two stacks.

• One stack is used for enqueue operation and the other for dequeue operation.

• When an element is enqueued, it is pushed onto the enqueue stack.

• When an element is dequeued, if the dequeue stack is empty, all elements from the enqueue stack are popped and pushed onto the dequeue stack in reverse order.

• This ensures that the ...read more

Yes, circular queues can be implemented using two stacks.

• Use two stacks, one for enqueue and one for dequeue operations.

• When enqueueing, push the element onto the enqueue stack.

• When dequeuing, if the dequeue stack is empty, pop all elements from the enqueue stack and push onto the dequeue stack.

• The front of the queue is the top element of the dequeue stack.

• When dequeueing, pop the top element from the dequeue stack.

• If ...read more

Yes, I know several sorting algorithms.

• One of the most popular is QuickSort, which uses a pivot element to divide the array into smaller sub-arrays and recursively sorts them.

• Another common algorithm is MergeSort, which divides the array into smaller sub-arrays and then merges them back together in sorted order.

• InsertionSort is a simple algorithm that iterates through the array and inserts each element into its correct...read more

Yes, I had a delicious sandwich and some fruit for lunch.

• I had a sandwich and fruit for lunch

• It was delicious

• I ate around noon

I am a highly motivated individual with a passion for problem-solving and continuous learning.

• I have a degree in Computer Science and have worked as a software developer for 3 years.

• I am proficient in multiple programming languages including Java, Python, and C++.

• I have experience working in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies.

• I am a team player and enjoy collaborating with others to achieve common goals.

• In my free ...read more

Inner join, outer join, and left outer join are types of SQL joins used to combine data from multiple tables.

• Inner join returns only the matching rows from both tables

• Outer join returns all rows from both tables, with null values for non-matching rows

• Left outer join returns all rows from the left table and matching rows from the right table

• Joins are used to combine data from multiple tables based on a common column

• Exam...read more

Developed a web-based project management tool for a software company

• Used Agile methodology to develop the tool

• Implemented features such as task assignment, progress tracking, and team collaboration

• Designed a user-friendly interface with responsive design

• Integrated with third-party tools such as JIRA and Slack

• Received positive feedback from the client and increased team productivity

I recently studied the impact of social media on mental health.

• Explored the correlation between social media usage and depression/anxiety

• Researched the effects of cyberbullying on mental health

• Analyzed the role of social media in promoting positive mental health

• Reviewed studies on the impact of social media on self-esteem and body image

It was a busy day filled with meetings and deadlines.

• Had multiple meetings with clients and team members

• Worked on completing a project before the deadline

• Managed to finish all tasks on time

Yes, the interviewers were very nice and welcoming.

• The interviewers greeted me warmly and made me feel comfortable.

• They asked questions in a friendly and conversational manner.

• They were attentive and engaged throughout the interview.

• Overall, I had a positive experience with the interviewers.

Yes, I am prepared for 5-6 more interviews.

• I have already gone through multiple interviews and have gained experience.

• I have researched the company and the position thoroughly.

• I have prepared answers to common interview questions.

• I am mentally and physically ready for the interviews.

• I am excited for the opportunity to showcase my skills and qualifications.

I appreciated the clear and concise presentation of information.

• The use of visuals helped to illustrate key points effectively.

• The organization of the slides made it easy to follow along.

• The inclusion of data and statistics added credibility to the presentation.

• The overall design was professional and visually appealing.

I have achieved several milestones in my career, including increasing sales revenue by 20% and leading a successful project team.

• Increased sales revenue by 20% through effective marketing strategies

• Led a successful project team that delivered a new product on time and within budget

• Received Employee of the Year award for outstanding performance and dedication

• Developed and implemented a new customer service program that ...read more

I struggled to adjust to the new academic environment and workload in my first year.

• Transitioning from high school to college can be challenging

• I had to learn new study habits and time management skills

• I sought help from tutors and professors to improve my grades

I tend to overthink, struggle with time management, and can be too self-critical.

• Overthinking can lead to analysis paralysis and slow decision-making

• Time management can be improved through prioritization and delegation

• Self-criticism can hinder confidence and productivity

I don't have the available data.

Nomura is a leading global financial services firm with a strong reputation and diverse range of opportunities.

• Nomura has a strong reputation in the financial services industry

• Nomura offers a diverse range of opportunities for career growth

• Nomura has a global presence with offices in over 30 countries

• Nomura values diversity and inclusion in its workforce

• Nomura has a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility

I would rate myself 8 in Java and 7 in database.

• I have extensive experience in Java programming and have worked on multiple projects using it.

• I am proficient in database management and have worked with various database systems like MySQL and Oracle.

• I am constantly learning and improving my skills in both Java and database management.

• I have also completed relevant courses and certifications to enhance my knowledge in th

SDLC stands for Software Development Life Cycle. It is a process followed by software development teams to design, develop and test high-quality software.

• The phases of SDLC are Planning, Analysis, Design, Development, Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance.

• Planning involves defining the project scope, goals, and objectives.

• Analysis involves gathering and analyzing requirements.

• Design involves creating a detailed design o...read more

I would like to work in the second phase as it involves implementation and execution of plans.

• I prefer to work in the second phase as it is more action-oriented and involves putting plans into action.

• The second phase is where the actual work happens and I enjoy being a part of the execution process.

• Working in the second phase allows me to see the results of my efforts and make necessary adjustments.

• For example, if I am...read more

I am a quick learner with excellent problem-solving skills and a strong work ethic.

• Quick learner

• Excellent problem-solving skills

• Strong work ethic

Solving Monty Hall problem using Bayesian probability

• Assign prior probabilities to each door

• Update probabilities based on host's action

• Calculate posterior probabilities and choose the door with highest probability

• Example: If prior probability of winning behind each door is 1/3, and host opens a door with a goat, the posterior probability of winning behind the remaining door is 2/3

• Example: Bayes' theorem can be used to