D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm Reviews | Glassdoor
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    D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm Reviews

    Updated November 29, 2018
    102 reviews

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    4.4
    StarStarStarStarStar
    Rating TrendsRating Trends
    Recommend to a friend
    Approve of CEO
    D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm Chairman David E. Shaw
    David E. Shaw
    59 Ratings

    Employee Reviews

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    Pros

    • "Exceedingly careful to make sure each employee is happy with their work/life balance" (in 13 reviews)

    • "Smart people, interesting work, good culture" (in 18 reviews)

    Cons

    • "narrow scope, limited exposure, long hours" (in 8 reviews)

    • "Work-life balance could be improved" (in 4 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons

    1. "Great, positive place to work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Human Resources Coordinator
      Current Employee - Human Resources Coordinator

      I have been working at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm full-time (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Great collegiate environment with interesting work and caring coworkers. A firm culture of excellence pushes you to be the best you can be.

      Cons

      Depending on the position, work hours can be lengthy and not as structured as a 9-6 position. Most people are very work focused and can be seen as workaholics.

    2. Helpful (8)

      "Sinking boat"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Quant in New York, NY
      Former Employee - Quant in New York, NY
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I worked at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm full-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      Good culture. Flexible working hours and good people.

      Cons

      The return of portfolio is not good compared with competitors. Too much advertisement while new people comes in only to find limited job duty and lower pay compared with competitors. Many people leave.

      3. Join the D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm team
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    3. "prestigious company"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      Pros

      very good salary and intelligent people

      Cons

      high expectations and steep learning curve

      Advice to Management

      Focus on female representation on trading floor

    4. "Great Place to Work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm full-time

      Pros

      Great working environment and great culture. It is the idea job I can expect.

      Cons

      Horrible AC temperature and the special snacks are not available for the holiday weeks.

    5. Helpful (3)

      "Great place to work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I have been working at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm full-time

      Pros

      The company is as close to a meritocracy as I've experienced in my professional life--a good idea is a good idea regardless of who is recommending it.

      Cons

      Some people find the rigorous approach to problem-solving to be onerous and overly tedious. Anyone who's not detail oriented will not enjoy working here.

    6. Helpful (2)

      "Great firm"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Human Resources Team Member in New York, NY
      Current Employee - Human Resources Team Member in New York, NY
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm full-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      Impressive peers, ethical, challenging and rewarding work. Strong in culture, compensation and benefits.

      Cons

      Lack of transparency, can feel bureaucratic at times.

    7. "Great place to work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee

      Pros

      Smart and friendly people. Good compensation.

      Cons

      Some teams work pretty long hours.

    8. Helpful (3)

      "Intellectual elitists"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I worked at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm full-time

      Pros

      Free snacks, dress code, laid back office environment.

      Cons

      Lack of structure day-to-day. Ossified bureaucracy.

      Advice to Management

      Bring in professional managers.

    9. Helpful (2)

      "N/A"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - N/A in New York, NY
      Former Employee - N/A in New York, NY
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm full-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      Incredibly bright people, who are also kind and interesting.

      Excellent compensation and benefit structure.

      Formed lasting friendships at this company.

      Cons

      Subject to performance downturns and ensuing labor cuts.

      Advice to Management

      Increase the upward mobility for staff at the company, don't let folks get so pigeonholed.

    10. Helpful (14)

      "Smartest people in the world"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Vice President in New York, NY
      Former Employee - Vice President in New York, NY
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at D. E. Shaw & Co. - Investment Firm full-time (More than 8 years)

      Pros

      You get to work with the best thought leaders in the field, in a true meritocracy.

      Cons

      Imposter Syndrome is common. Most new hires are used to being the expert at what they do. It can require adjustment to get used to the impressive peer group in the firm.