Bombed first ever IB interview

Long story short im currently in big 4 audit, about to finish my first year. Landed my first ever interview with an LMM IB. Had a super kind interviewer, very personable etc but got grilled on a question I really should have known the answer to (was about the deal process from start to finish). I got a few words out trying to do my best but knew I should have had a much higher level understanding of the process.

Ultimately I think my mistake was that I kept trying to answer questions that weren’t necessarily being asked, just because I had practiced them so hard. For example I got asked whether or not I’ve ever done a DCF and then without being prompted, I for some reason went and explained the entire step by step process of building a DCF. Overall I just think I needed to fail this interview in order to understand how important being actually prepared is. Gonna spend way more time studying technicals before I get back in the interview seat again. I have to say im really happy that I even landed an interview because most say you need TAS experience if you’re gonna come from big 4, but idk I’ve only been networking for a few months and was able to get this so im happy that it’s at least possible.

Can someone help me cope now?

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Don’t sweat it. EVERYONE has bombed an interview or two. Takes failing to improve, and now you know what to expect. Best of luck!

 

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