Hey, I am a Tar Heel and will soon be interviewing for the Citi SA in HK, and I found that one of my interviewers actually graduated from Duke Fuqua.. Any tips about what should I say or what should I avoid during the interview?
Any contribution is much appreciated!
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don't bring up the rivalry unless you're talking shit about Gottlieb and NC State.
if he's seen your resume, I'm sure it will come up. just follow his lead.
Congratulate him on the #1 biz week ranking
Don't forget to bring up the lacrosse team and say something like "typical Duke amirite?"
As long as you aren't awkward about it it should serve as some kind of common ground. If he says something just joke about how you thought you guys had them last year, or about how unc got them in football this year and the upward trajectory of both the football programs or something. It's not that difficult.
This shouldn't ever be an issue... Just don't start trash talking his school. If he lightly jabs at UNC, its perfectly OK to jab right back to show you have a sense of humor. Of course, just like anything, smile, and you will be fine.
Dunk on him.
Also gift him a Michael Jordan UNC jersey.
If the interviewer mentions it or starts a playful back and forth about who is better, you should follow his lead as mentioned above. He just wants to gauge if youre likeable, etc.
It actually makes you guys have a common talking point, not some hurdle you have to get across. He's working now, he could probably care less about the Duke v. UNC rivalry except to poke fun at you saying Duke is better. This type of joking sets you up perfectly to push back playfully and get you guys in an amicable mood.
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I agree that it is a source of common ground, but if you think he could "probably care less about the Duke v. UNC rivalry," you clearly don't understand.
To the OP, I've been in this situation plenty of times. As others have said, it's perfectly acceptable to make a light joke or two (just follow his lead). It'd probably be worse if you didn't (you'd come off as uptight and awkward). Just don't overdo it. Unfortunately, you'll probably end of having to work with plenty of Dookies during your career, but it can be fun to have someone to talk smack with when you're far away from NC.
Yes, here's a tip: Life gets a lot harder than this.
Might want to focus more on getting your story right, nailing the technical questions, and also asking thoughtful questions about the firm and experience. A sport rivalry may or may not come up, but the aforementioned WILL so you should focus on that versus the latter.
Good luck and don't sweat the blue devil details.
This is basically a non issue - unless you set the tone of the interview with some UNC/Duke smack talk. As with any other interview, stay on topic, be professional while letting your personality show. As you are walking through your resume he may say "HEELS SUCK!" or make some sort of snide/light hearted jab. Just best to laugh it off and move on.
In other words, I don't think its anything you have to "overcome". Kenan Flagler is a good b school, anyone can recognize that/ or obviously already has with an interview offer.
Walk into the room and immediately engage in staring contest. If you win, you're hired. If you lose, walk out without saying a word.
Dude, this is what's nice about going to a big sports school. This guy is a professional, not some degenerate townie who has no life. If you can talk some sports all the better. You'll meet a bunch of ACC people who will want to talk about basketball. Just wait until the tourney.
This.
Especially if you can banter and talk about sports is a HUGE advantage. Unless he/she is psycho, they will really like it and you (assuming they are into sports). If so the interview just might become about that and time will fly, the person will like and remember you and your odds of getting the gig/next round go up. It's about people liking you and wanting to spend 12 plus hours with you in the office and this is a test of that.
Good Luck
If he brings up basketball, tell him, "If you really think Duke is better than UNC, then you must be serious Lehigh. May the lord have Mercer on your soul".
gold.
heels baby
Tell him that Coach K is the antichrist
I have interviewed with a few people who went to a huge rival of my college (Big Ten, we're in the same state, use your imagination) and it has always been a positive experience. Just because he went to Duke does not mean he is out to get you. I have found those interviews to actually be more enjoyable, because if he is a cool dude then usually half the interview is just joking around and shooting the shit about which team is better, etc. Just don't say anything outrageously stupid about Duke and you'll be fine.
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