Why you’re not converting to offers from someone who went from 300 rejections to a MM

I previously made some posts about my journey getting rejections and finally landing a role. I was rejected about 300 times (not specifically from just investment banks but holistically), but landed an IB analyst role at a MM. When I finally got the role and eventually interviewed candidates I really realized where “perfect candidates” go wrong and don’t even realize it. First off I want to say if you are getting interviews, making final rounds, and not converting this post is for you. If you’re also getting dinged at first rounds, I have made a separate example below for you. I am going to give helpful feedback for those in two stages of the interview process; first round and later rounds.

If you’re getting rejected in the later rounds and not converting you’re likely being way too robotic and not giving the interviewer a chance to see who you really are. This is a huge problem especially for those who are making it to final rounds but not converting. The reason why is because you’re treating the interviewer like a math problem. For example you’re probably thinking “if I say this or that, I get X result.” It’s not so simple and not so objective. I’ve interviewed kids who were absolutely perfect on paper. ON PAPER. The reason I didn’t take them was not because of my confidence about whether they could do the role but because of how I felt around them. They were too focused on giving me the perfect answer versus building a connection. They were almost talking at me versus creating a conversation. So please, if you feel that this is you, make your answers more personable, engaging, almost as if you’re including the interviewer in your answer, make it a conversation, not just an answer. If it’s just an answer you’re talking at them, not with them. The reason you are not getting the job is not because they do not believe you’re good enough to do the job. There is a reason why investment banks filter candidates by their GPA, work experience, and education. If you are receiving a first round they think you’re capable of doing the job which is why they’re inviting you, if you are making final rounds they are absolutely confident you are able to do the tasks - especially if this is after the “work sample” phase that a lot of investment banks have.

If you’re getting rejections at the first round, you’re likely not conveying to the interviewer that you have the skill sets to do the job. This can be as basic as not knowing how to answer your “tell me about yourself?” In the first round, you are allowed to be a bit more objective and maybe a bit more robotic in the sense that you’re trying to convey your skill sets versus being conversational. That’s alright, but you need to be solid at showing your skills. You’re likely not showing them enough examples of what relevant work you’ve done, how you’ve gotten an interest in IB, where it came from, and what qualifications you have. If you can’t communicate this, you will get dinged. They need to confidence that you have done relevant work in the past and that you’re serious about what you’re getting yourself into.

So given my two examples how do you now be the perfect candidate. You provide a mix of both, be conversational but don’t be afraid to be specific. Make sure your interviewer feels included in the conversation or else you’re just barking at them. Trust me, once you work in IB you realize how much you dread interviewing people. It’s like doing a drivers lesson with an instructor. They don’t want to be there, they’ve likely seen a ton of people who haven’t impressed them and they’re just not in the best mood. Trust me, I’ve had first rounders with kids who I selected and thought okay they seem strong and they disappoint me with absolutely stupid questions in the end or shitty answers. It puts me in a bad mood and unfortunately you lose patience with other candidates.