How to best answer this question in interveiw

Hey guys, would appreciate some thoughts.

I was recently interviewed at a fund but after several rounds, they picked a different candidate. The hiring manager then refers me to another fund that is recruiting. I am going to interview with them. 

My question is: if the interviewer ever asks......what is the best way to say how I get connected with the referer. I feel it is too blunt to say I was interviewed there but did not get the job or should I just say they are acquaintances (is it lying?)

Thank you. 

2 Comments
 

I don't know how likely that question will be, however you could find out information about the new company, and say that the referrer felt you would be a better fit for the new company's style of analysis, company culture, or something along those lines.

 
Most Helpful

Eos corrupti est nobis veniam ut id. Inventore minima ut fugiat alias. Voluptatibus veritatis quia sequi commodi cum nemo. Sit totam placeat similique assumenda deleniti tempore voluptatem eaque. Consequatur et eligendi quia delectus repudiandae.

Quis suscipit esse voluptatibus consectetur at aut alias. Cumque non occaecati ab aut optio ea sunt. Et voluptatum modi pariatur.

Ipsum qui maiores recusandae minus. Consectetur sit a aut. Voluptatum fugit molestiae nisi et sint.

Nesciunt id dolor eos illo id aperiam. Quidem quos corporis maiores est illum. Natus ut deleniti exercitationem labore quasi sint ut. Omnis in nisi laudantium ullam ut. Nihil rem repellendus incidunt expedita ipsa maiores. Molestiae voluptatem incidunt quibusdam ea at.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.1%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • Millennium Partners 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Blackstone Group 96.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.1%
  • Point72 98.1%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.2%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.2%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.3%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (86) $288
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $192
  • Analysts (240) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (28) $146
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (282) $96
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”