You were called an idiot during an interview or while networking. Now what?
(Senior Chimp, 18
Points)
on 7/22/11 at 1:29pm
I have heard dozens of monkeys talk about their stock pitch get torn apart during an interview, or people getting ridiculed during cold calls or informational interviews.
I was interested in hearing some horror stories regarding this topic. What was your reaction when an interviewer said you were dumb (whether in those words or not)? How did you respond?
I think we can all learn from other's successes and failures in these situations as we will all face them at some point in our careers.





After a while I just got used
After a while I just got used to it.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
Flake wrote: After a while I
After a while I just got used to it.
haha... C'mon Flake; Tell me the worst one and what you said.... Its Friday, and I think these will be highly entertaining.
If an interviewer called me
If an interviewer called me dumb I'd tell him to fuck him/herself and leave. That's just me and my pride that will be the downfall I guess.
They're not entertaining at
They're not entertaining at all.
Anyway, I don't have any stories like that during interviews...There have been a few occasions when a client would call and make me feel stupid for not knowing something or being unable to completely answer their question. I'll share the one from yesterday because it's still fresh.
Client: I have a question about X.
Me: Ok...So...let's say you have like $100 dollars in mortgage bonds right?
Client (cuts me off): Is your senior analyst availble for a call on Monday?
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
I had two different
I had two different interviewers question my intelligence and analytical ability for a leadership development internship at a major finance firm. During the case brief, he pretty much said that I didn't have the "intellectual horsepower" required for the role (remind you, it's a general leadership role that people en dup running an ops division or something). The other basically tore apart all of my comments and questioned how I got into an Ivy League school.
The funny thing is that I was waitlisted for the job (out of 30 final round applicants, 1 offer and 2 waitlists went out). I must have aced the other interviews because those two went really badly.
Alum: So pitch me your
Alum: So pitch me your stock.
Me: (pitch)
Alum: Ok let me be honest. That was absolute shit.
Flake wrote: They're not
They're not entertaining at all.
Anyway, I don't have any stories like that during interviews...There have been a few occasions when a client would call and make me feel stupid for not knowing something or being unable to completely answer their question. I'll share the one from yesterday because it's still fresh.
Client: I have a question about X.
Me: Ok...So...let's say you have like $100 dollars in mortgage bonds right?
Client (cuts me off): Is your senior analyst availble for a call on Monday?
haha. That same thing happened to me about some BS trigger event last week... Something to laugh about now, discouraging at the time. It was a new deal assigned to me so I didn't feel to bad at the time.
It happens all the time. Just
It happens all the time. Just don't take it personally.
MSF Website
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MSF Twitter
HarvardOrBust wrote: Alum: So
Alum: So pitch me your stock.
Me: (pitch)
Alum: Ok let me be honest. That was absolute shit.
1) Why did he say your pitch was shit
2) What did you say back?
It just sucks because as soon
It just sucks because as soon as you hang up, everything comes back to you instantly. Everything that you wish you were aware of when the guy put you on the spot...I'll sit there and think "wtf, why didn't I just say that?". Then I try to patch it up by emailing them with a proper response but the moment/credibility was already lost.
I just blame the fact that I'm new and still learning the sector haha. Makes me feel better.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
The correct solution is to
The correct solution is to punch the guy* in the cock, followed with:
"Who's the idiot** now?"
*Inspired by some limey punk on here who punched his PE boss in the face.
**Still you, of course.
Harvard, I hope you punched
Harvard, I hope you punched that guy in the mouth.
Under my tutelage, you will grow from boys to men. From men into gladiators. And from gladiators into SWANSONS.
HarvardOrBust wrote: Alum: So
Alum: So pitch me your stock.
Me: (pitch)
Alum: Ok let me be honest. That was absolute shit.
Alum: So pitch me your stock.
Me: (pitch)
Alum: Ok let me be honest. That was absolute shit.
Me: Your sister was absolute shit.
There. Fixed that for ya.
Alum: What stock would you be
Alum: What stock would you be long here.
Me: I would be short RIM
Alum: Lol, they are releasing the playbook soon...do you pay attention to companies?
Me: Go ahead buy some..I'll have no problem taking your money.
To be fair, he was right. I
To be fair, he was right. I was unprepared and missed a lot of details, which he pointed out. There was no point in doing anything irrational, so I just heard him out and tried to never make the same mistake again.
if you can't take the heat,
HarvardOrBust wrote: To be
ANT wrote: Just don't take it
YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
http://www.troll.me/images/red-foreman322/dont-you...
I think awkward silence is
I doubt anybody has gotten
I'd probably punch the person
Thurnis Haley wrote: I'd
YOU JUST GOT TROLLED
http://www.troll.me/images/red-foreman322/dont-you...
I got schooled on my
Never allow some ding bat ass
Please don't make me talk to you like an asshole...
dabanobo: if you can't take
Remember, once you're inside you're on your own.
Oh, you mean I can't count on you?
No.
Good!
If an interviewer called me
Killed a long pitch, but
Talent is hitting a target no one can hit.
Genius is hitting a target no one can see.
I had an informational