Final round interview ('informal chat over coffee')

So, I've been invited to a final round after 2 rounds of 6 interviews total. I've interviewed across the full spectrum, so associate, VP, MD, HR. I'm interviewing with the junior members again but what exactly is 'an informal interview over coffee at this stage? I can understand if it's done pre-first round/screening stage.

I would have assumed that it's the 'fit' test but the other interviews have been pretty rigorous with regards to the fit element. I'm not sure if, at this stage, I'm still going to be grilled about the firm/job description/my motivations, or it'll just simply be an interview to get to know me.

Thanks for any advice!

10 Comments
 

It is a bit unusual, definitely. But one thing that they might be interested to know is whether you get carried away in an informal setting. Yes, seeing whether you are a fit is definitely going to be one of the reasons.

But as far as I think, they pretty much agree that you are right for the position. But yes, depending on the work culture, they might be interested to know more. In a company where I worked before, being able to make wise jokes or being able to talk work while being interesting/funny was the culture.

Be yourself and do your best.

Best wishes!

 

PE role at a MF No, not really - taken about 4/5 weeks to do three rounds. (The issue is really that HR said I should hear by Monday and it's now Tuesday..) One glimmer of hope is that HR don't really seem to be too involved in the process (i.e didn't know the interview structure and I ended up doing more than expected. I interviewed last Tuesday but I know they were interviewing two more people at some point in the week. Yeah, I thought it went really well, but who knows

 

Hey - so HR gave me a call on Friday to apologise for the fact that I hadn't heard back yet and to check that I was still keen. Apparently, the team is super busy and hasn't had time to sit down and discuss the final 3 candidates. I should hear back sometime next week..

Do you know if HR generally have to faciliate those kind of 'final round' discussions? I just can't see how any of the interviewers will remember anything about the interviews considering that I interviewed almost two weeks ago and they were not taking notes, as this was a 'fit'/airport test'. Surely they know who they want at this stage?

 
Best Response
"SpawnofDescartes" Hey - so HR gave me a call on Friday to apologise for the fact that I hadn't heard back yet and to check that I was still keen. Apparently, the team is super busy and hasn't had time to sit down and discuss the final 3 candidates. I should hear back sometime next week..

Do you know if HR generally have to faciliate those kind of 'final round' discussions? I just can't see how any of the interviewers will remember anything about the interviews considering that I interviewed almost two weeks ago and they were not taking notes, as this was a 'fit'/airport test'. Surely they know who they want at this stage?

If you were rejected, HR would have said you're out when they contacted you.

So you're still in consideration.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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