Cracking under stress in an interview
Just came out of an interview. Interviewers were super kind. Had me walk through resume etc + some behavioral questions. All good. Then was asked a very basic multi-step problem of finding some key numbers for company (think EBITDA, EBITDA margin, FCF, etc -- basic stuff). Let me tell you, I have done a TON of preparing, and I knew exactly what they were asking for and how to find it. Problem is, when someone is reading out numbers in the heat of interview - I just completely lose focus. I'm pretty good at mental math normally, but I swear when I'm being interviewed my IQ drops like 50 points and the easiest mental math becomes completely impossible for me. I make extremely stupid errors, like forgetting components of equations or making calculation errors and stuff like that. And it just compounded on itself, as I made one mistake I kept making more.
I feel like I bombed, but it's so disappointing because I could have gotten the right answer 10/10 times if I just stopped panicking. The worst thing is, there isn't something tangible I could improve on for the next interview. Like, if I did not know a certain key term, I could go and study afterwards and make sure I knew it for next time - but no amount of mental math practice is going to help because I can do it normally. Jeez I just feel pretty disheartened.
I totally feel that. I cheat by using a really quiet calculator. I did get an offer so they couldn’t tell lol
Ask someone to do mock interviews (eg: alumni in IB). Even pay some professional. During that mock just try to really get comfortable
I have a very similar issue. I’m good at mental math and know my technicals but am so bad at a) hearing numbers verbally that I haven’t seen, and b) then being able to process them and speak the results. I’ve done well on technical and modeling tests but always am surprised how much I struggle with verbal technical questions - think I’m personally very visual.
All that that said I think you definitely can practice it. As someone above said, do mock interviews where they will change the numbers so you have to hear new information. Also have them judge how clearly you explain it back to them. If it’s a stress/anxiety thing, the only way to lessen that is to practice so it loses its novelty.
That's helpful, I'm glad to know other people experience something similar. I'm going to just keep practicing. I've done mock interviews (which are helpful on their own) but have found it hard to simulate the anxiety present in a real interview scenario.
Yeah really just practice. I did the same thing too. We’ve all been there
Had similar issues, but with technicals instead of mental math. I'd bomb the easiest technicals if I'm not expecting one. Like others have already mentioned, keep practicing and try to ask more professionals to mock with you. Wear your suits and everything just like a real one to simulate that experience.
I'd also say this is an anxiety issue - and as someone with anxiety I relate to your experience all the time. Therapy helps if you can do that and have time. In the short term, try to remember that the final rounds are not designed to trip you up. The people want to know your personality and your level to help you succeed if you get in. And also, don't overestimate the importance of getting that perfect ib offer.DM me if you want to vent or talk. I feel you.
This should make you feel better.
I’m a licensed CPA and failed to answer “walk me through $10 in depreciation through the financial statements” in my first IB interview because the anxiety got to me. LOL. Also gave mediocre answers to other basic accounting questions in the same interview.
Just keep practicing and you’ll be fine dude.
That's actually super helpful to hear. I'm glad for you that you were able to overcome the stress and become more confident going forward (and actually probably become better at accounting than your interviewer lol). Hopefully that'll be me soon enough.
You’ll be fine home dawg.
Just always keep in mind your interview performance is not correlated with your intelligence. Study the guides religiously and practice mental math daily and you’ll get it dude
same. during one of my first interviews I got a question: "how are 3 statements connected" and I panicked and couldn't say anything more than "they are connected". I remember the interviewer laughed then. and now I do fin modeling for a living making good 6 digits.
Pm me
Echo the sentiment above. De-sensitize yourself to the "gravity" of the situation/interview by doing more of them and practicing and they will start to be comfortable and less stress-inducing. Also before interviews, I always remind myself 10-15 minutes prior that 1) I know the material, so just relax and 2) this is a conversation with another person at the end of the day. There will be technicals and whatever else but it's really engaging with someone else. So be outgoing and that will inherently loosen you up a bit.
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