Is there something wrong with me?
Hello,
I graduated college four years ago with with a 3.3 from a top 40 school. I had MO internships in school, and took a job as an energy market analyst out of college. While in college, I had no problem getting a job once I was selected for an interview. Counting my full-time offer and two internships, I received 3 job offers out of 7 interviews, the ones I didn't get where out of my league to begin with so my track record of interview success I thought was pretty good. However, the last two years have been a nightmare.
I wanted upgrade to a commodities analyst at a more prestigious firm or move to a Junior Trader role (I have experience working with traders at my current job) and have gone 0-12 in interviews. That's right, 12 interviews, no job offers in the last two years. Seven were face-to-face interviews and three of the seven, I went to a final round and didn't get it.
I would say that my experience closely aligned with about 10 of the 12 jobs. My school offered a class that preps students how to interview and I have done what I feel is enough research. I look at the job description, get an understanding of what specific skills they are looking for based on the responsibilities and tailor walking over my resume towards showcasing skills that would be required for the position. I practice behavioral questions, also thinking of ways to peg my responses to the specific job, I don't think it's rocket science. I haven't felt like any of my interviews, with the exception of one, went poorly. It helps that only one interview was difficult.
It's depressing because over the last year I have come out of about four final round face-to-face interviews feeling really good about my chances only to not get it.
So my question is IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME? How can someone have so many interviews without an offer. I know that many positions can interview up to 10 candidates, so nobody is a shoe in, but after so many failures I can't help but think I come across as unintelligent in interviews. I don't know if its a matter of that or because I am going after competitive front-office jobs, and the competition is better or its just me. Not getting an upgrade in my career and all these failures to get a job has caused me to be pretty depressed over the last year. I'm not thinking about jumping off a bridge or anything, it has just affected my happiness in life.
Can someone give me an honest opinion if they think so many failures makes it clear that it's me who has the problem and that other candidates are not just more spectacular.
Any honest feedback would be greatly appreciated.
You probably come off as weaselly or a beta. There's a certain type of dude at every superday that is super qualified academically and does everything right, but is just a huge pussy so he gets looked over. Are you really lanky with pale skin and blue eyes?
Lol, well I have average grades at a non-target, so I don't fit into that "super qualified academically and does everything right" category.
Yep, you're a Beta. Can feel it radiating from the computer. Yuck.
it may be helpful to seek out a recruiting firm. They will go over your resume, interviewing techniques, match you up with jobs, and other advice. It's good to have an outsider's prespective on what you may be doing right or wrong. Just make sure to get a reputable firm
I agree with this. Although recruiters are really hit or miss you need an outside opinion. I would try to find a more senior recruiter, they'll be more established, have seen more, and won't be in such a rush to make a fee off of you.
Alternatively, if there's not very many respectable recruiters around, I would try to grab coffee with someone in a position that you would like to be in and ask for some feedback. They probably won't outright tell you what you may or may not be good at, but they'll be able to tell you how to present yourself when you interview.
It may be a subtle thing you're giving off that someone can help you refine or you may just be having a bad streak of luck, either way getting advice on how to present yourself would be beneficial.
Finance firms do not like "3.3 from a top 40 school". Finance firms like, "graduated from Harvard, Summa Cum Laude", because it sounds like dude's the next Jeff Bezos, even though Bezos is heir to tons of acres of Texas land, born a bastard.
Agree with the comment to reach out to a recruiter. They can be a good source of feedback on your profile and interviewing skills.
If you don't already, ask at the end of every interview: "Is there anything about my profile that would make you hesitate to hire me?" (For the recruiter, "...make you hesitate to recommend me for the type of position I'm after?"). You can't expect to always get candid feedback, but it can be helpful. (And a "no" response helps you stand out in the interviewer's mind as a top candidate, imo).
Don't let an 0-12 streak get you down. This process is a numbers game and often a crap shoot, but ultimately 1 for 13 is just as good as 1 for 1 if you're happy where you end up.
Asking that question can be seen by some to be a little too aggressive. I remember someone bringing this up in a different thread and others said that as interviewers, they would feel uneasy if they were asked this question. Personally, if I were the interviewer, I would find it a little weird to be asked this question, but it really depends on the interviewer.
It might make more sense to ask for feedback after an interview. Phrasing it like you want feedback to improve for the future is much better than asking it to know why you didn't get selected.
I can appreciate this perspective. IMO it's a fair question to ask after you've undergone an interviewer's scrutiny, and most people can deflect it pretty easily if they're uncomfortable giving constructive criticism. I've sometimes used "does anything else about my profile make you hesitate that I can clear up at this time?" It's a little less of a direct ask for feedback but still gives the interviewer a chance to share any concerns that haven't been resolved yet.
As with anything, read the room and put it into the right context. If the interview is going terribly you may want to phrase it as "What can I do to improve my profile?" which shows you're willing to keep working towards that type of position even if now isn't the right time.
I personally hate asking for feedback after. You're either asking them for a favor while they're trying to make a decision, or you already got a "no" and, like you said, just seem like you can't take rejection (often no matter how you phrase it). The interview is your opportunity to get your questions answered too, so do it right then and there.
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