Probability of getting an offer after an interview mistake
So I connected with the founder of a boutique IB through LinkedIn. A few days later we had a call and it turned out we went to the same elementary school. At the end of the call, I expressed my interest in his firm (particularly the M&A division), but he told me they had just hired a new guy.
However, one week later I got a call from an Analyst of the same firm (Capital Markets division) to schedule an interview and I took the opportunity.
The interview consisted of a test similar to the Gmat, an Excel test, and a fit interview. The analyst was very relaxed and friendly. As soon as I walked out of the interview the partner I contacted asked me how I did.
One week later I was notified I got a second interview, this time with an Associate. I had the interview and I got right all the technicals. At the end of the interview, the analyst that interviewed me the first time walked in and we started to talk a little more about me. Everything went just fine, but I think I came off as a little weird with the last question I asked (out of nervousness), which was something like "You guys don't have any more questions for me? I would like you to ask me one more question." Fortunately, they did, but man, I know it was weird. As soon as I walked out of the building the partner wished me good luck.
Should I be worried?
I haven't met the partner in person but I can tell he's a great guy and the firm's culture really makes me want to be part of it (I'm not even considering BB or EB banks ATM).
I think interviewers know that applicants are nervous and this shouldn't be a big deal. Best of luck.
Nah, don't worry. Just be more relaxed and confident next time. They know you can do the work past the technicals but you have to prove that they can get along with you too.
It really depends.
I had a superday for a top BB and killed 3/4 interviews (like did super well, MD / head of recruiting told me I did great and asked if I had any conflicted offers they had to worry about) but stumbled over one technical in one of the other interviews that day and got axed. I think it really depends on the rest of the interview(s) you had and the relative competition from the same superday round.
always better to not give them a reason to cut you, but small mistakes happen. Don’t want to scare you with a morose anecdote, just a one-off experience I had.
good luck!
What year are you? This seems pretty tough for a boutique
Right? Especially if you’re in tight with the founding partner. Honestly shocked they made you interview twice
I don't know if this helps but after I expressed interest in his firm he gave me tips to ace interviews (I hadn't even read The 400 Investment Banking Interview Questions & Answers). He recommended me a financial modeling course and Damodaran's YouTube channel. He even gave me a headhunter's phone. He said he would be happy to coach me so I obviously was surprised they contacted me from his firm a week later.
I was lucky enough to start preparing as soon as the call finished.
Also, the Analyst who contacted me to schedule an interview told me another Analyst gave him my resume, but the thing is, I don't even know the Analyst that gave him my resume.
What do you make of all this?
He probably dropped your resume into an interview pile and the analyst had it passed along to him to start the process with you
I know how nervous it can be interviewing and how tempting is it to go over every little detail trying to guess if you blew it or not. From what you described, it was something very minor. If you dont get the job, its not because you asked an awkward question.
You mentioned youre not even considering BB or EB at this point. Im curious why that is.
The firm is really great and, even though it's a boutique, it has a market share majority of certain DCM products in the region.
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