HR hated me after MD promised an in-person interview. Now what?

After cold calling a managing director who had my resume, I managed to impress her with my sector-related knowledge. She said we'd meet in person and that I sounded like a good fit with the group. Then she told me that someone specific from HR would talk to me--then we'd arrange to have an on-site conversation.

A day later, I had a terrible conversation with HR. I was awkward turtle, nothing really clicked, and immediately afterward I started to brush up on my behavioral interview questions.

What do you think happens in this case? Does HR have final say over whether I'm a suitable interview candidate? Or was that conversation, terrible though it was, just a formality?

9 Comments
 

I don't understand these questions. Just wait and see what happens. Nothing anyone says here will make you feel better since you're already worried.

I've had a lot of interviews where I've just been weird and awkward too. I think your gut feeling is usually right in these cases. Cut your losses and be less weird next time.

 

Whats the difference? You'll find out what happens when it happens. If anyone here says you'll be fine and then you're out of the MD interview or vice versa then whats the point in asking? Good luck though.

 
Best Response

I'm not looking for reassurance, but I was looking for some insight about the role of HR in the process: do they have veto power over analysts-associates-VPs-MDs' hiring decisions? I used the search function and figured that while HR isn't to be taken lightly, they don't actually make many decisions. That's why the key is to network with analysts and associates, people who make the personnel decisions.

As for the difference, well, I thought I would get some opinion with regard to how much I should press the issue with the MD. For instance, silence on her part may either come from the fact that she now has reservations about the invitation or from the fact that she's busy and hasn't even touched base with HR.

For people involved in the hiring process, what would YOU do if you talked to someone on the phone and were happy with the outcome--only to have HR tell you the kid stumbled over basic resume questions? (For instance, I completely winged an answer about why I chose to go to grad school immediately after undergrad.)

WSO Content Intern
 

At this point nothing can hurt you. Maybe shoot the MD a quick email and say you enjoyed your conversation with HR and look forward to the rest of the process/meeting the rest of the group? Idk wait it out a bit until you know its a rejection. Maybe she didn't even hate you.

 

Got it. Thanks, guys. I'll just send the forward-looking e-mail to the MD and hope for the best. And you can bet that I'll always take HR seriously now.

WSO Content Intern
 

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