Background on me: recently graduated from a well regarded university (top 12 but does not have a lot of finance recruiting) with GPA: 3.4 and previous no name boutique banking and BB back office internships.
I've had lots of interviews. Like 25+ in person interviews and probably another 30+ phone interviews (not all of them were for banking/finance). Some have been for BB, some for just random stuff, but I have yet to land a single job offer. A lot of the times I get dinged after the first round and have moved on to the next rounds only a couple times. I feel like I'm doing something wrong in my interviews but when I ask for feedback they just give me BS reasons.
My question for those who have been on the other side of the table, what are some of the things that automatically ding a canidate? And what are some of the things that make someone really stand out? Or, what is your strategy for going about an interview?
Thanks for the help.
are there any parts from the interview that you think you messed up on? any questions that you were unable to answer correctly?
Not particularly. A lot of the times I come out of the interview thinking that I did pretty well and I got along with the interviewer. I know what when I mess up a technical or something like that I assume that's a big reason I got dinged but even interviews where I answered everything correctly I don't get a call back. I'm thinking that maybe my "story" sucks?
Give us more background. Did you network with people who you interviewed with?
Oh, and most of the time it's people I haven't networked with. There were a couple times when I knew an MD/had a friend who worked at the firm so I brought their names up when they asked how I heard of the opportunity. Usually if I know who I'm going to interview with I looked them up on linkedin and ask a question related to their experiences to show them that I've taken the time to do my homework. (also answer questions like why this firm or why this position really well...or at least I think i do lol)
I'm not trying to be mean here, but do either your personality or appearance suck? Think about it honestly - you can work on either.
To be frank, no and no. I'm always well dressed at interviews and in general. And personality, I definitely don't come off as the annoying type, but maybe a bit too laid back?
I wasn't trying to imply that you were either - just a thought if you are really getting interviews that often but offers never at all.
I know that my life's been very much the inverse. Struggle to get interviews because of bad stats, but I've never NOT gotten the job if I get a foot in the door.
You haven't interviewed enough...
Way to motivate a guy not getting offers.
OP, you might want to work on your pitch/story. Check out M&I, you'll get some great ideas there and you'll also clearly find out if this is the part where you're going wrong. Without more background, I'm just shooting in the dark here.
Also, after having done so many interviews, you'll obviously be getting desperate and there's a chance that might be showing in the interviews. But you suggested you might be "too laid back", so again I'm not sure if that's the case.
Data, data, we need more data, Watson. What parts of the interviews are you uncomfortable with? Which answers of yours do YOU think might not have gone down well with the interviewers?
When I go into an interview, I'm not satisfied with simply answering every question correctly; my goal is to be the most memorable interviewee of the day. And I don't think a "laid-back" attitude is part of the recipe for being memorable. If you have the slightest inkling that your pitch might be a little too laid back, then add some fire to your elevator story so that they can't forget you. An interview is your opportunity to sell yourself. So excite them, intrigue them, make them laugh, and surprise them. This is not the time to be The Dude.
I've interviewed some undergrads (10-30) and the interviews tend to go really mediocre with nearly all of them. Some more common issues are:
If you're interviewing for say a trading role do not talk about how you love Buffett and long term investing.
Inability to communicate well (more for internationals)
Clear lack of confidence / not professional enough (How do you answer the phone when they call you?)
You look at their resume again and realize that they've embellished on what they've done
They start out negative (I hate my current job and don't want to move. One person started by saying "I don't want to be an Excel Monkey anymore" when answering why are you looking to change jobs)
Lack of demonstrated interest. Anyone can say they're interested, but having examples really sets you apart. Not having examples also helps you determine if this is really for you (more for experienced hires, I stopped applying to subset of jobs due to this)
Personality not a fit (generally a problem on your side). We've probably only had one case of a final round candidate who we dinged primarily due to personality misfit.
Maybe record one of your interviews and listen to it again. Throw away any shame any have a friend listen to it. Chances are something is wrong (as you have suspected) but it's usually very hard for you to identify yourself.
Or, with a decently small sample size, it could easily be true.
I doubt I'm the only one
I was identifying with him. What your selective quote didn't get was that I said my main struggle in my job search was getting in the door, seemingly the opposite of his problem. It certainly was not an "I'm so awesome."
Exactly. Didn't know I was being controversial here.
You aren't being controversial, but your post is irrelevant if you haven't interviewed enough. It's like me saying I've won every fencing match I've ever played, when I haven't played any.
ME TOO!!
Except I have interviewed more than once...
Anyhow, thread's not about me. Sorry if I was a tool.
@CRE y u do dis?!
@explosions09 there was a HUGE thread about this like 2 months ago, I'll see if I can dig it up, it reads as the exact same situation as yours.
I am disappoint in myself :'(
@explosions09
Similar to your question, take a read. http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/strangetons-of-interviews-and-no-…
Do you ask your interviewers/primary contact for feedback on why you were dinged?
I did this once and the HR girl at the BB read the comments and realized that they'd accidentally moved my resume into the wrong pile - reject, instead of move to next round. I got the next round interview and later the job. If I never asked, I wouldn't have gotten the job (or even a final round interview).
Maybe you are overqualified. Seriously, it happens.
The problem is you are creepy. Don't fuking look up the interviewers' linkedin and ask questions. That's not doing your hw. That's just stalkerish. Maybe that's playing a role.
i thought i was a douche
I was in the same situation. I interviewed at 20 banks and got dinged immediately with some and made it to superdays with others. Never got an offer.. In the end I started straight up asking them afterwards if they could please truthfully tell me why I didn't get the job. Finally one told me that I was not confident enough. It all clicked after that.
Within a month I had 2 offers. Not sure if that applies to you but keep trying.
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