Is there an industry standard for this?

Hello all,

I need some input on a very particular situation that happened to me. I’m still pretty upset by it.

Two weeks ago I interviewed at a top IB for a ft position in NY. The interview was on zoom and it felt like the biggest opportunity I had gotten yet. I was very excited about it. On top of preparing for the whole year prior for general knowledge purposes, I had spent every day since receiving the invitation making sure I was ready.

So finally the day comes, I interviewed my second day being back at school and boom: mid interview my wifi started going out and made everything laggy. It wasn’t bad enough where I could just reschedule or transfer to a phone call, but it made it impossible for the interview to be fluid or conversational at all. Therefore, the impression I had been preparing for so long to make, just out the window (By the way, my wifi had been good up until then).

I followed up with an email right after the interview, called twice to inquire about the process after, even left a voicemail. But I received 0 communication from them since. Essentially just got hung up to dry.

Since it’s been two weeks since it happened, I let it go. If they wanted me, they would’ve reached out already. I just can’t believed all my work went to waste due to something I couldn’t control.

Yesterday, someone in the industry told me to reach out again and try to explain what happened during the interview for maybe a second shot. This was something I had no intention of doing, but it raised the question on the title.

Has anyone ever experienced something like this? I’m curious to hear some insight.

2 Comments
 

Based on the highest ranked content on WSO, technical difficulties during virtual interviews are not uncommon, especially given the increased reliance on technology for remote interviews in recent times. While there isn't a universally accepted "industry standard" for handling these situations, there are some best practices that can be followed:

  1. Immediate Communication: You did the right thing by following up with an email right after the interview to explain the situation. This shows that you are proactive and professional.

  2. Persistence: It's also good that you've tried to follow up with calls and a voicemail. However, there's a fine line between being persistent and being pushy. It's important to respect the process and the time of the hiring team.

  3. Asking for a Second Chance: While it's not guaranteed, asking for a second chance could be worthwhile, especially if the technical issues were significant. It shows resilience and a strong desire for the position.

  4. Learning Experience: Regardless of the outcome, consider this experience a learning opportunity. For future interviews, you might want to have a backup plan in place, such as a secondary internet connection or a phone ready to continue the call.

  5. Networking: Continue to network within the industry. Sometimes, a strong connection can advocate on your behalf or provide another opportunity.

  6. Moving Forward: If you haven't heard back after multiple attempts, it may be time to focus on other opportunities. The finance industry is competitive, and sometimes factors beyond your control can influence the outcome.

Remember, while technical issues are frustrating, they are also part of the new normal with virtual interviews. Many interviewers are understanding of these challenges, so it's worth explaining your situation if you believe it significantly impacted your performance.

Sources: Superday Advice From a Tired Interviewer, Superday Advice From a Tired Interviewer, Interview nerves, I'm extremely terrible at interviews, Interview Failures

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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