IMC Interview Guide
Everything we know about interviewing at IMC: the process stage by stage, what each round tests, and reports from candidates who interviewed.
Interviewing at IMC
What the process looks like, and what IMC is really testing for.
IMC interviews you through a structured sequence that leans heavily on technical evaluation early. Across the reported process steps, you can expect online assessment, then screening and interviews that may include live technical interviews, recorded video questions, and technical discussions.
What they test is very consistent with the topic data: alpha generation, portfolio management, and systematic trading strategies sit at the top alongside core programming and problem solving. Their technical bar also covers C++ and Python, data structures and algorithms including graph algorithms, probability, and quantitative modeling, with timed assessments and trading-related quantitative reasoning showing up prominently.
The loop is not described with a clear, single timeline in the data, and candidate reports include experiences where communication after an early or mid stage felt unclear. Difficulty in the reports skews medium and hard, and the aggregated offer rate across candidate reports is 0.0%, so you should expect this to be a tough, high-variance process where clarity of next steps may vary.
The most useful non-obvious fact is that the process heavily emphasizes trading and quantitative themes, not just general coding. The topic list puts alpha generation, portfolio management, and systematic trading strategies at the very top, and the reports describe C++ and domain-specific reasoning as a key part of later technical rounds.
The IMC interview process
4 stages, based on 107 candidate reports.
Online Assessment (OA)
A few days to about two weeks (varies by report)You complete an online assessment testing coding skills and logical reasoning. Reports describe formats like graph-focused and scheduling-style prompts, Codility-style screens, and sometimes a short, structured sequence. Prepare for data structures and algorithms and for clear problem-solving under time or limited guidance.
Screening and/or Asynchronous Interview
Same general early window after OA (varies)Candidates may have an initial screening step to assess basic qualifications and fit, and some are asked to complete a recorded video interview with predetermined questions. Reports also describe one-way online interviews where you answer multiple technical questions asynchronously and must explain tradeoffs and differences.
Technical Discussions and Live Technical Interviews
After the early stages, varies by candidateIf you perform well in earlier steps, you may be invited to technical discussions, followed by live technical interviews that focus on technical depth. Topic data and reports emphasize C++ and Python, data structures and algorithms including graph algorithms, probability, quantitative modeling, and trading-related quantitative reasoning, with timed assessments also appearing.
Behavioral Interviews and Final Rounds
Later loop stages, variesThe process includes behavioral interviews for cultural fit and soft skills, plus final interviews and sometimes a final round with comprehensive evaluation. Some reports mention additional technical and behavioral assessments and engineering manager and team-related discussions, but the specific sequence is not fully consistent across all reports.
What IMC evaluates
How often each skill shows up across reported interview loops.
Interview guides by role
Each guide has the questions IMC interviewers actually ask, the loop structure, and total compensation by level.
Insider tips
Patterns from candidates who got offers, and the mistakes that most often sink a loop.
Real interview experiences by role
Read what candidates said about interviewing at IMC: the loop, difficulty, and outcomes, straight from recent reports for each role.
IMC interview FAQ
Answered from real candidate and workplace data, marked up for rich results.
Related company guides
Companies that hire for the same data roles, with the same depth of prep.
