Messed Up on Interview

So I had a phone interview today, that I thought was going to be a more casual discussion but quickly turned into me being questioned typical of in person interviews.

I was doing fine until I was asked where the HQs were located.

I admittedly should have known this at the snap of my fingers, but I've been interviewing at a bunch of places and I work full time and had just been in the middle of investigating a situtation at work when I had to step away for the phone call.

I said NY no? And she started saying how that was incorrect and as she was saying that I remembered it was in (insert correct city name), but unfortunately said the wrong state (they were next to each other on the site so when trying to correct myself quickly I mixed them)

From there she went on to tell me how she was very disappointed that I didn't know it, how I had contacted somebody extremely high up (who then forwarded me along) and that it was inappropriate for me to do so without having the proper knowledge and how I wasted her time and what not.

I understand I should have known that, and typically I do, but I faltered here.

After basically scolding me for 10 minutes, she said she will not be overlooking this mistake and will not move me forward in the process.

I apologized and thanked her for taking the time to speak with me.

Is there any recourse for this situation?

Do I still send a thank you email? Maybe include something along the lines of, I had been in the middle of an investigation and had simply mixed the city and state together and that my one wrong answer is not indicative of my ability to succeed in IB. (she had said that she was surprised thath I didn't know it because she liked my aggressiveness to get the phone call and liked my qualifications based on my resume)

Or do I just leave it and learn from my mistake?

 
mcl116:

From there she went on to tell me how she was very disappointed that I didn't know it, how I had contacted somebody extremely high up (who then forwarded me along) and that it was inappropriate for me to do so without having the proper knowledge and how I wasted her time and what not.

Just write a typical thank you letter; nothing more, nothing less, and move on. You don't want to work for such people anyways.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 
Best Response
Ambani:
mcl116:

From there she went on to tell me how she was very disappointed that I didn't know it, how I had contacted somebody extremely high up (who then forwarded me along) and that it was inappropriate for me to do so without having the proper knowledge and how I wasted her time and what not.

Just write a typical thank you letter; nothing more, nothing less, and move on. You don't want to work for such people anyways.

Yep, agree. Maybe put something short in there explaining why you mixed it up. Could be to see how you deal with something like this (?) although that seems a bit overboard.

Good luck!

Maximum effort.
 

You don't have anything to lose from following up with the interviewer so I'd say go ahead. Quite surprising that the interviewer would harp on your mistake for 10 mins though...maybe you caught her on a bad day?

 

First off, firms are still interviewing? Is this for a summer analyst position? Secondly, I'm surprised at how she handled the situation - it sounds like she didn't like you much from the get-go.

Yes, send her a thank you email, don't give excuses (full-time work investigation etc.) no matter how "valid" they might be. Apart from her, reach out to the other higher-up contact who referred you to this interview. I don't think there is anything more you can do to help the situation.

 

Explain the situation to whomever you contacted at the firm to set up the interview initially. Depends on your relationship with him/her, but if they like you and think the interviewer was out of line they could still help you with the process...you never know.

 

Quis dolore veritatis amet error sed vero. Non magni accusamus laudantium cumque quisquam. Ducimus dolorem sunt nihil voluptatibus aut.

Quam nostrum soluta temporibus corrupti vel temporibus. Labore provident voluptatibus tempore et a.

Inventore maiores illo est eaque fugit consequuntur. Quisquam autem corrupti mollitia illo quia. Ut qui vel ut. Libero nam magnam et voluptatum eos.

Iusto doloremque ipsam ipsum eos et veniam. Ipsum ut expedita itaque dolore quisquam. Ducimus tempore corrupti fuga. Autem quos cupiditate id fuga labore officia. Ad aspernatur facilis qui molestias nisi sint. Consequuntur praesentium dolores tempore aut. Reiciendis ipsa soluta non nemo at harum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”