What excuses do you use to go an interview? Doctor or dentist? Ever been called out? What about when you have travel for an interview or have a long set of interviews?
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Dentist to get a crown put in
When lying, be specific
There was a whole article on M&I about this, but I don't remember it being particularly specific/good.
you think these MDs were born yesterday? just say doctor and everyone will wink and nod. no one is expecting you to be a sell side lifer for fuck's sake.
sounds awful but funeral?, can't believe that was top of mind.
Family wedding
why dont you just say you have an interview? You must mean if you are already hired I assume.
Ironically I've never been in this situation. Been on the street for four years, but my only interviews have been internal.
IMHO, you have a duty to tell people the truth- and only the truth- but not necessarily the whole truth. If you need to take a day off to spend some time relaxing at home (or to be brutally honest in my case, sitting home watching broadcast PBS and drinking yellowtail), nobody is going to have a problem with that. Just don't mention the fact that two hours will also be spent at Morgan Stanley.
Best to use a vacation day. If you don't have vacation time yet, it's probably too early to interview.
I'm interested in hearing about this as well...anyone have experience with this?
While interning and interviewing for full time this past fall I told my boss the truth - he wished me good luck and gave me some solid advice. This experience isn't particularly relevant given my inexperience, but lying is difficult to do correctly. It really matters less about what you say but how you say it (i.e. non-verbal cues) so I feel asking advice on an internet forum is irrelevant.
excuse for interview? (Originally Posted: 02/05/2007)
i have an interview later in the week (thursday). however, i can't think of an excuse to be out of the office. will need to catch the red eye the night before to make it in time and back within a day. any ideas?
what excuses will work?
Knock on wood before saying this, and it's a one time use only once every year for personal emergency absences...
Death in the family....
I mean, you could try the "Family Situation which requires immediate attention." That way you wouldn't have to risk getting undeserved sympathy or getting called out for leaving to mourn a relative you didn't care about.
thanks guys. if i use this approach, should i tell them asap, or should i wait until the last moment (i.e. day before)?
will need to fly out, so i need to organise the logistics.
any alternative suggestions?
Just say you have a personal matter to attend to. They usually won't ask if you phrase it like that.
When its a personal matter, they understand its a personal matter & you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. Some indidviduals in your group maybe extra cautious around you b/c they don't know how big of a personal issue it is. So expect some slighgt sympathy and you just have to have give off thye vibe that it is not an issue to be discussed.
Regardless of the excuse you provide, some will assume you are interviewing. I would go with the "personal matter" line, just realize that some people will see through it.
so true. i'm sure that this will be the case.
hahaha
Current Analysts doing Interviews - What excuse (Originally Posted: 12/17/2007)
How many times a month can you reasonably be at the doctors? Anyone else have any great excuses they use to duck out for a few hours and interview?
Apartment troubles, issues with your bank, last night's dinner not sitting well and so you need to take the morning off to be sure you feel well enough to come in... just think, man.
Are these lateral interviews, or interviews for a position after your two years? My bank is pretty awesome and gives second years time off to interview -- the staffer even avoids putting them on deals. As for excuses, don't use too many. At the end of the day, people don't really care what excuse you have, you'll develop a reputation as the guy who always bails out.
When I was interviewing back earlier this year at first I came up with the usual doctor, dentist, family emergency, bank/apartment problems, but then after awhile I gave up and just told people I was interviewing. I would always preface it by saying "for summer 2008" or "2008" - I don't know if people really buy this but no one ever confronted me or questioned whether I was going to leave immediately.
At the end of the day, most senior bankers understand this is a 2-year job, after which most people go on to do other things. The other argument you can use is to simply say, "Well, I don't know if I'm even getting a 3rd year offer yet so I have to interview to make sure I have a job" (this is assuming your bank actually has 3rd years, some don't even have that concept...).
As long as your work gets done and you can get other people to cover for you it's not an issue. Obviously you can't miss work 4 days a week or anything but if you keep it reasonable you'll be fine.
Come in one day moaning about your back, then you need phsyio so it is an ongoing thing. Worked for me.
If they are for after your second year, then you don't need to lie, at a lot of places they will help you get the interviews. However, you have to be up front about this, if you are upfront and they are comfortable with you interviewing for post second year jobs then they will give you guidance on when and how you should go about it.
If, on the otherhand, they aren't cool with you interviewing or they are for immediate positions, here are some of my favorites:
-Lunch with the family -Doctors -Dentist -Allergist -Apartment trouble -Furniture delivery -Cable installation -Invitation to client lunch (junior guys at some PE shop you work with) -Gym (if you already have an established pattern) -Overslept -Taking a long lunch (if you don't think anyone will question it)
Also, you should start a pattern of dressing nicely every Monday, or something, this gives you credibility for wearing suits and ties more often.
well if the whole office wears business casual and you wear business formal every morning, you just might be the pompous douchebag of the office.
Learn to tie a tie within the time of a lift ride.
Your stomach hurts. Your grandmother needs you to pick up her pills. (My friend actually used this one!!) Your brother got into an accident.
etc.
As far as business casual/formal, it is rather cold outside, so I don't think anyone will notice if you come in with a jacket and just hang it up somewhere.
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
All good thoughts. FYI, its not after 2 years, so im keeping it on the DL whenever possible. Thanks fellas.
Thought I'd rehash this old thread...
What if the position is for a lateral or immediate hire? I figured the best thing to say is that "I have some personal things to take care of." I feel like if I end up leaving, they'll know my excuses were BS, and I certainly don't want to burn bridges / leave on a bad note. Then again, will they be really pissed if they knew I was looking to leave so soon? Guess I could always use the "doctors appoiment" excuse a few times...
Any thoughts?
Is it worth making the jump from a pretty well known MM, such as perella, Miller Buckfire, Cowen, Jefferies, houlihan, etc (are those all even on the same tier?) to a BB for PE exit opps? Will your opps get that much better? Vs. souring your connection with your old firm?
Dude - THE GYM
I interviewed everyday for about 3 weeks straight. I was on a regimented workout program :D
Granted I wasn't a 1st year and I was bouncing when I needed to. But my boss sits right next to my desk. The problem was 1 day ic ame back from a workout in a cab in a suit ... its okay tho b/c i quit 3 days later
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