Trending Content - Job Search Advice Forum
Career Resources
WSO Free Modeling Series - Now Open Through
June 30, 2026
9 Free Financial Modeling Lessons
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
+Bonus: Get 27 financial modeling templates in swipe file
High Finance Applications
Guaranteed
Get at least one offer GUARANTEED
- 1:1 support
- 92% success rate
- 2,000+ mentor network
- Unlimited Live bootcamps
- AI for resume + LinkedIn
- Networking automation tools
- HireVue simulation tool
- Full course library
- Private Slack community
- 20hrs of mocks
- + much more...
more of an interview fail. Went in to a hf's office to talk more about a possible internship. Had an exam later that day. Talked to one guy for 20 minutes - thought that was it and would be able to leave. 2nd guy comes in and starts a 1 hour interview. At the end, another guy comes in and starts another 1 hour interview. At this time exam was 30 mins away. First guy comes in again and talked for 10 minutes before I reminded him I had an exam. I probably looked like an idiot running out of a building to a subway station in a suit in the middle of downtown manhattan.
another interview fail? for my friend - interviewed at jpm as a sophomore for ib. got rejected but was offered a "guaranteed superday" from hr for 2019 sa. applied and networked extensively for sa 2019. Depsite guaranteed superday was offered a first round and rejected after the phone interview. Thought his jpm run was over. Just a couple days later offered interview for jpm sf without applying. crushed his interviews and got an offer from jpm sf.
Interview Disaster (Originally Posted: 11/22/2013)
Had a interview. Was told it would be a competency interview and got a case thrown at me. FML. Disaster....was not prepared. Feel like I may have blown a good opportunity
Sorry to hear it. Is there a question you wanted to ask?
Nope. Just venting bc I was told it wouldnt be a case but equally disappointed I didn't do better on the case and that I didn't anticipate / prepare for one anyways.
I would say as for going forward, prepare for every conversation and interview like the kitchen sink could be thrown at you. I would say make sure you have done enough prep case interviews that you never feel like you could be caught off guard by getting one.
Good advice. OP, take it as a lesson and crush it next time.
Thanks everyone, lesson learned! I did send a thank you e-mail to the interviewer for his time and for running through the case question with me. Said that I hope I showed I can think in structured manner and that I'd like to continue to interview process to show I can solve case type questions.
If it makes you feel any better, I had an interview at HBS the other day and did not play it well. Also, I had an interview at Blackstone PE during undergrad and showed up completely clueless without spending more than 3 hours studying for it (having no idea it was in any way that big of a deal... no joke). We all make mistakes. For me, I ended up in a pretty darn good place without getting the BX job, and it was a cheap lesson. It sucks, but don't let it stress you out - it's over now. Grab a beer.
Recruiting gone bad (Originally Posted: 02/14/2013)
Removed original post due to too much personal information. Posted a small addendum below.
Thanks to everyone who helped! Handed out some SBs.
I thought you're always supposed to say it's your first choice too...
The VP is just an ass. You have to say they're your first choice otherwise you get dinged.
You have nothing to worry about. Imagine how ridiculous his conversation would be with someone where he tries to tarnish you.
Him: oh, you hired overlevered? That guy's a real douche. Other guy: oh really? Why do you say that? Him: Fucking guy interviewed at our firm and told me we were his top choice and then went somewhere else. Can you believe that guy? Other guy: Uhhhh, ok. (walks away and remembers why he hasn't stayed in touch with this asshat).
Him: "I cant believe he went to an elite boutique over us"
haha
have to say its 1st choice. you should have said 'based on who i was speaking to when i interviewed, you were. but then i was given a chance to go into ____ office and realized they were an even better fit for me'
you made the right move. i've told two banks that they weren't my top choice. i'm an idiot. 3rd time is a charm. you have nothing to worry about.
Quasi sequi aliquid et laudantium aut porro soluta illum. Similique consequatur quaerat nostrum eum et.
Et sunt debitis nihil sit sed quo perferendis. Vel possimus placeat reprehenderit minima ex ipsa. Quis quo assumenda aut earum voluptatem. Doloremque tempore maiores eaque laudantium. Facilis eius deleniti sit perferendis iste cumque perspiciatis.
Nesciunt praesentium eaque ipsum aut deserunt et accusamus. Et assumenda minus pariatur dolor. Ipsa nostrum quos sint ducimus magni est. Est maiores possimus veniam exercitationem dolore et quos eveniet.
Est voluptatem eligendi ea expedita distinctio quam amet. Facilis quia quo laudantium odit. A eos ipsam id a omnis quia.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...