Got rejected because I'm too aggressive?

I recently got rejected. I thought I killed it because my technicals are great and I formed some good conversations. I asked my contact to ask my interviewers for feedback, and the overall feedback is that they thought I come off too aggressive. Coming from a non-target school, I had to be more aggressive in order to get interviews, and I thought investment bankers are supposed to be aggressive? I definitely consider myself a fun person and have broad extracurricular interests, and I made sure to show that during my interviews. I guess they think I am aggressive because I emphasized on how I sent cold emails and how much I want this job. Thoughts and advice?

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Yeah, agree with the above that it's much more likely about demeanor, not networking tactics. It could be how you came off in the interview. You want to show that you're hungry, want to learn, will take initiative and all that other jazz. But they also want someone they can stand at 2am in the morning. If you come off as the type who is self-centered - willing to do what it takes (at the expense of others), or WAYYYY too dialed up, then that doesn't work either.

Maybe try and dial it back, show that you're humble and hungry, but have a sense of humor and let your personality shine through.

 

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