UK Question : numerical test vs. Head of M&A recommend

Hey guys... wondering if any of you can comment on a bit of a tricky situation.

I'm currently at uni and got really lucky networking. Basically I got introduced to the Head of M&A at an american IB who after some talk over a coffee said he was massively impressed and offered me an internship in M&A for summer 2012.

He told me to apply through HR and that he would call them up to make sure they keep an eye on my application. His PA got in touch with me the next day and confirmed that that she had called HR and told them to 'flag my application.'

So I filled out the app, did all the 'fit' questions, did the verbal reasoning test which i passed, but I think I massively screwed up the numerical reasoning. I've done a half dozen of them - no problem - but I just seemed to run out of time on this one. Damn.

What are the chances, in your opinion, that missing the cut off for the numerical results in my application going in the bin, considering the above? Do you think HR would consider overlooking the numerical test result in light of the recommend?

Thanks in advance for any insights anyone may have.

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23 Comments
 
metalmosesif the head of M&A offered you the internship i dont think you should worry that much

but try to have a good reason why you messed up the math test if they ask

Doesn't really work like that in the UK. Passing the numericals is like a minimum requirement. The required pass rate is low anyway so I wouldn't worry about it, some online tests tell you immediately whether you've failed.
 

Usually by flagging your app the rest doesn't really matter, so I wouldn't worry.

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Well here is a real life example -

So we had this douche bag at my bank from oxbridge, he was a very smart guy but was hated by everyone because he spoke non-stop, didn;t listen to anyone and was a complete cock.

Regardless we had a round table where unanimous opinion was to not give him an offer for being a complete cock.

Surprise surprise, the head of one of the teams stepped in saying I love this guy so much etc etc he went to my college that everyone was overruled and an offer dished out to him.

Point is if you have the head of a team on your side then everything else becomes a formality.

 
Best Response
Optimus PrimeWell here is a real life example -

So we had this douche bag at my bank from oxbridge, he was a very smart guy but was hated by everyone because he spoke non-stop, didn;t listen to anyone and was a complete cock.

Regardless we had a round table where unanimous opinion was to not give him an offer for being a complete cock.

Surprise surprise, the head of one of the teams stepped in saying I love this guy so much etc etc he went to my college that everyone was overruled and an offer dished out to him.

Point is if you have the head of a team on your side then everything else becomes a formality.

Hey guys...thanks for being so helpful

so I got one of these auto-responses from the bank (emailed from a company called Alex Mann - outsourced HR?) saying that I've been unsuccessful (got this sent to me a few days after the test so I'm wondering if this was maybe sent after an actual human reviewed my application?)

Anyway, I'm wondering what's the best course of action? Should I email the head of M&A and explain that I'd applied but subsequently been rejected by HR? I'm also on pretty good terms with his PA, maybe going through her is better?

Any advice on how to approach this would be appreciated.

 

I was thinking something along the lines of...

Dear XXX,

>

I know you're quite busy working on PROJECT ABC at the moment, but I wanted get in touch and see if you have had some time to touch base with XXX in HR? I'm asking because within a few of days of completing my application, I received what seemed to be a auto-reply from HR's grad recruitment outsourcing provider saying my application would not be progressing further and citing the high number of applicants for the role.

Rather than getting in touch with HR to see if your recommend had come through, I thought it'd be more tactful to write you instead.

Thanks once again for offering your assistance in helping me secure a summer internship at XXX.

Sincerely, XXX

 
rugger416I was thinking something along the lines of...

Dear XXX,

insert pleasant opening here

I know you're quite busy working on PROJECT ABC at the moment, but I wanted get in touch and see if you have had some time to touch base with XXX in HR? I'm asking because within a few of days of completing my application, I received what seemed to be a auto-reply from HR's grad recruitment outsourcing provider saying my application would not be progressing further and citing the high number of applicants for the role.

Rather than getting in touch with HR to see if your recommend had come through, I thought it'd be more tactful to write you instead.

Thanks once again for offering your assistance in helping me secure a summer internship at XXX.

Sincerely, XXX

 

Still can't believe you failed the numerical tests. Seriously dude.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
OreosStill can't believe you failed the numerical tests. Seriously dude.
Yea man. I had a guy put in a word for me awhile back and I busted balls to make absolutely sure I passed the test so I wouldn't embarrass him.
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
joshonjoiceBrilliant articles and very impressive subject you have selected and quite awesome difference you have provided regarding the numerical test vs. Head of M&A recommend.......
Were you playing internet madlibs?
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

Just got a call from HR. passed it. sweet.

have an 'interview' with the same guy who offered me the gig in the first place, next week

 

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"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

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