BB Interview + Tonsillitis + Finals Week = Disaster?
As the title suggests, I have, as of today, landed a first-round phone interview with one of the BB's for their IBD. Unfortunately, the timing could not be worse. Yesterday, I became pretty badly sick and was diagnosed with tonsillitis, coupled with a high fever, muscle aches, and overall fatigue. And to add to the pain, I have five final exams next week, all taking place between Wednesday and Friday. Of course, this first-round interview will be taking place sometime between Sunday and Thursday.
How should I approach this ridiculous situation? I need to do good on these finals because I am a recent transfer student, so my GPA this semester will be my total GPA at my current University going forward. Also, being sick obviously makes this worse. Sacrifices will obviously needed to be made, so I was wondering how some of you guys have dealt with interviews during finals and how you prepared for them. Also, maybe some general information on BB phone screens would help, as I am not sure what to expect or how they are structured. Do you think it would be worthwhile to bring any of this up in the interview? Maybe at the beginning when small talk takes place?
I think this wins for the worst-timing-ever award (even beating LSO's book release in 2008).
Cheers,
Call up the BB and ask to re-arrange. Been in such situations multiple times, and it has never been a problem, usually HR are pretty nice and understanding.
Sorry to hear that man. I'm in the same spot minus being sick. I would just study for finals while resting up this wknd. . best advice for phone intvs is just be yourself and research a couple good questions..
best of luck
The good thing about tonsillitis is that it can be cured fairly quickly with antibiotics. I would (1) go to the doctor asap (or urgent care, whatever is faster) and get said antibiotics; (2) call HR at the BB monday morning and explain the situation, rescheduling for the following week shouldn't be a problem; (3) sleep as much as possible this weekend and do a little studying for finals in between; (4) feel much better by next week and crush the interview. good luck.
Thanks for the tips guys. The problem is that this is the accelerated process with this particular BB, and they have strict deadlines. First rounds must be done by the 13th, and superdays by the 17th, and offers go out several days later. I am not sure I can break those deadlines so I don't know what to do. Before I consider contacting HR, what do you guys know about BB phone interviews? More fit or more technical? I know my interview is with two analysts so I am expecting a difficult interview
Most likely a good mix between fit/technical, but that completely depends on your interviewer. If it's a phone screen, might as well lay out answers to the common technical q's right in front of you, i.e. run me through a dcf, lbo, etc
Be honest with the HR and ask for a reschedule. Rest well. Might consider implicitly telling the professor/TA about the situation you have dealing with, usually they would be lenient with you. Relax and you will be fine. Good luck!
First off, get medical treatment. Antibiotics will handle tonsillitis; I know, I had it once in undergrad.
Secondly, get in touch with HR immediately. You can either ask them to schedule you on the 13th, the very last day the accelerated process will allow, or you can ask them to move you to the standard schedule early in the spring. I think there are downsides to both. On the first hand, you're going into an interview at much worse than your physical/mental best. You are physically strained and you will be mentally buried given your exam schedule. On the other hand, your delay negates any advantage you might have had if you get an offer and want to shop it with other firms during the normal recruiting timeframe.
Best of luck, it's an unfortunate circumstance.
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