What's the Best Response to This in Interviews?

Hi all. I've had a couple of interviews for Summer internships lately in which I was dinged because both had something in common, the interviewers said that since I was a Sophomore jumping into a FT position after a successful internship wouldn't be able to happen due to how young I am. I have an interview next week, and just want to be prepared in how to respond to this. After all, I understand the whole point of an internship is to get a FT role at that company right after graduation. In my case, I'm merely just doing it for the experience, and going to TRY to get something better (I don't say this upfront).

I don't know if both were bullshitting me, but I was genuine in asking for honest feedback in how the interviews went. They both said that there wasn't anything wrong on the behavioral or experience side but it just wasn't practical for them to train an intern who isn't even near graduation. I know in this forum's eyes, at least for young students, the goal is to get the internships early on to leverage it into something better.

Thanks.

8 Comments
 

Haha exactly, I definitely will do my best in the next interview not make it seem like I'm trying to jump into a completely different role after.

Honestly, if they bring it up again with how young I am. I'll just pitch how that's even better there's an opportunity to develop me at a younger age to be more successful as a full-time employee. Worth a shot.

Array
 

Most banks use the summer analyst / intern program as a feeder program for full time hires, so they are unlikely to waste a spot on someone that has a zero percent probability of converting the following summer (because you'll still be in school). You'll just need to find an internship with a smaller bank that doesn't use the summer analyst position as a formal feeder program into full time positions. Until next year...

 

Why don’t you just move up your stated graduation date/recruit as a junior? Worst case you can just tell them you decided to stay in school/take on another major..

Swinging Through
 

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