Confused and tired: a junior applying for SA position
I am a junior at a semi-target school, with a 3.8 GPA, many extracurricular activities (president/exec board member of several organizations) and several financial internships (but no ibd internship). I have attended several diversity recruitment events early this year and started networking in summer. Recently, I luckily got invited to first-round interviews of some BB and boutiques. However, what depresses me is that I was rejected in all first-round interviews I have done. I prepared very hard before every interview, but my preparation obviously wasn't effective. As I receive more rejections, I become more and more confused and worried. I don't want to let opportunities running away, but I really don't know what I can do to improve.
What did I do wrong? Any advices?
what questions did you blow in these interviews?
or, maybe they just don't like the cut of your jib
You will never know why an interviewer dings you. It could be they hated your face or found you annoying. Unless you gave a wrong answer, which seems highly likely. For my ibd interviews, I had everything prepared, I had a former BB banker grill me as if he were interviewing me, and I was dinged after most first rounds. I was confused, so I went to another friend in IB, and he said my technicals were good. He then asked the 'why IBD' question, to which I answered 'I want to break into PE.' That was all they needed to hear to ding me. Point is: practice interviewing with multiple past bankers. They'll be able to tell what's up.
Is English your first language? If not, try to use this as a selling point to apply to a firm/location that would find this an asset.
I think you need to prepare differently. How exactly did you prepare for these interviews?
I know this seems like a huge deal, but you are only a junior. Just keep looking and preparing the same way you are. Just be yourself in interviews and stop trying to be who you think they want you to be. I was the same as you last year when I was preparing for my interviews. I knew all the questions and studied extremely hard for all, but once I started being myself, I started getting second round interviews and eventually offers. Don't be disgruntled. You can do this.
I know this seems like a huge deal, but you are only a junior. Just keep looking and preparing the same way you are. Just be yourself in interviews and stop trying to be who you think they want you to be. I was the same as you last year when I was preparing for my interviews. I knew all the questions and studied extremely hard for all, but once I started being myself, I started getting second round interviews and eventually offers. Don't be disgruntled. You can do this.
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