Is this Normal ?
Let's say you apply for a long term internship (placement) for a BB in London in IBD You get a 1st round interview Everything goes very well : 1st guy at the end says he is impressed by certain points 2nd interview goes well too, you are relaxed smiling, knows your stuff
You send a thank you note. Guy responds quickly, saying it was an outstanding interview but that you will have some surprises, but "don't ask me more" he tells, the HR will tell you about the next steps.
First does this happen a lot ?
Then today you wake up with a rejection e mail from this BB, you failed the 1st round. You don't understand, ask intelligently for constructive feedbacks.
Guy answers within 5min : First we took only 2 people then I found you very very good, just not suited for IBD you qualities : motivated / hard worker/ good communicator / autonomous / sociable flaws (for IBD he precises) : too independant, maybe too laid back
then says, I recommended you for interviews in Sales (fixed income and equities) because WE thin you would perform well there.
Any applicant ever had this situation ? Any insider can tell me if it s frequent and why I was not rejected simply ?
- I believe they have a the hell a lot enough applicants in S&T How will it be during interviews when they will ask me why Sales ?lol -I don't know as much in Markets as in M&A, corporate finance(far from that); what are my chances to go through ? Will they be more indulgent given the history behind ?
Should I feel finally happy for that ? I don't even know. I admit my knowledge of Sales position is limited.
Any insights plz, so stressfull for me ...
I dont have too much to add, but I know this happened to a friend of mine interviewing for an SA position at a BB.
He came in for an investment banking interview, and afterwards the interviewer said I like you and want you at the firm but I am recommending you for FI...
How did it end up for your friend ?
He got an FI offer from the bank, but decided to take a SA IB offer at another bank.
What the fuck? Too independent and laid back? Did you walk in reeking of weed with a Che Guevara button on your lapel?
Or is it that they want to spend 80 hours a week working closely with people who are uptight and rude?
was this GS?
I have heard of this happening once or twice.
Some lesser banks look for less proactive people for analyst roles in IB. They don't want people rocking the boat. Stupid, I know. I think it is reflection on the bank more than anything. It may be they just don't have the spots but still wanted you.
If you are set on IB, I would call your contact back and try and have another discussion about why you aren't suited to IB. Impress that you are interviewing at other places for IB.
If you go through for S&T, answer the 'why' question truthfully, 'because such and such' told me I suited. You'll get less technicals then and more fit questions.
I agree with Beaker. The feedback you received is a reflection on the bank more than it is on you.
For what it's worth, I can tell you that I personally relate to your experience. It doesn't feel normal, but it happens. It happens to more people than you think.
When I first started interviewing at banks I was always told I was social and likeable and that I did well in my interviews... great! Yet I was ALWAYS getting pigeonholed into sales. Incredibly frustrating.
Out of desperation, I did a competitive eyeball analysis of friends in IB and I considered that perhaps I really wasn't interviewing as well as I thought otherwise I wouldn't have been constantly perceived to be unsuited for the position I really wanted. When I realized that my tendency was to get too comfortable too soon in my interviews, I started practice interviews with everybody. I practiced a more serious tone, more direct eye contact, body language, I rehearsed my answers, made sure I paced myself, didn't talk too fast etc.
Bottom line is that you can definitely control how you are perceived. It takes a moment of self-awareness. If you really want IB and do not wish to pursue sales then you need to take some time to take a step back and reconsider how you are presenting yourself. Practice a different style. It might feel awkward at first. Listen, if your resume and stats are already getting you in front of people, then the exercise will be worth it.
To continue on from what pepsi was saying:
Just be careful to get an unbiased viewpoint. Talk to someone you trust that has industry knowledge and tell them what has been happening. Sometimes there are things out of your control (no places left in IB, cocky interviewer etc.) that may influence you. If this is a recurring theme, then follow the advice above. Yet, if n=1, it seems you are doing the right things, just keep looking to find a place where you click.
To all First thanks for those who shared their insights, it definitely put things into perspective and think will be also helpfull for others in the future.
Some answers :
Some more questions : - So, do Sales sucks ? Is this like your not good enough for IBD but hey, here is this position that nobody wants, you can have it ? Sorry I don't know anything about S&T
What do you think about this associate that sent me those emails, I think he really liked me though to give me all those feedbacks. I had not the HR yet and I know I ll get interviews for S&T thanks to him, what do you think?
Some think I should try something to be reconsidered for IB? Not to cocky ?
"So, do Sales sucks ? Is this like your not good enough for IBD but hey, here is this position that nobody wants, you can have it ? Sorry I don't know anything about S&T"
Sales is such a broad name encompassing so many different products. Noone can definitively say it sucks. It's just requires a different skill-set and probably a different personality than someone from IBD. The thinking may be that they see your personality and resume as tailored made for a role in Sales.
Maybe they were turned off by your writing skills.
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