Too late to reply to interview invite?

In late 2018 I went to a finance meetup with a friend. We met a VC associate that graduated from a target UK university, worked in a top BB, and moved back to his country of origin in Eastern Europe to work in VC. He appeared arrogant and extremely unpleasant to us, so we decided to stop networking and have fun. At one point, he thought we were being too loud in the bar so he told us to "get a room". We realized having him as a connection wasn't going to help us in the future, as he would've most likely tried to hinder rather than help.

One month ago I got a call from a VC fund to set up a phone interview for an internship position. We schedule the call for the next day. After the call, I realized it was the same guy from a year ago that called me. I decided to not pickup the call the following day. He later messaged me to reschedule, but I didn't reply (I know I should've at least thanked him and told him I'm not interested).

He decided to call me because:

  1. He frankly doesn't remember me

  2. He remembers me and wants to shit on me in the interview process and if hired.

  3. He liked me from the beginning and thinks I'll be valuable to his firm (most unlikely)

Irrespectively, I think he will end up at option 2.

One month later, things might not go as planned, so this VC (top in my country) internship seems like a good opportunity. I plan on messaging him this week, apologizing for missing the call and giving a solid excuse, and that I'm still interested in the position. I would also add that I remember him from a year ago to remove number 1 from the options above. What do you think?

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

This reply is for you and everyone reading your thread. It's a great lesson to learn. You need to do 4 things in life (at a minimum) to be successful:

  1. Show up on time
  2. Say Please and Thank You
  3. Finish what you start
  4. Do what you say you are going to do

This sort of falls in the Finish what you start bucket as it's part of the sequence / process of securing a job. Always, Always, Always return calls and follow the proper etiquette.

Regarding the specifics, they speak to a lot of people and he likely doesn't remember you (maybe he will when you speak). May be an uncomfortable conversation but you need to have it. Highly unlikely he'd waste his time on #2.

It's a small world out there. You never want to risk being known as "that guy" as it can follow you around in ways you'll never know.

 

I appreciate your comment.

What excuse should I use as to why I ignored his calls and message?

"Hey (name), I apologize for not answering your calls, I've had to deal with some personal/health/family problems. If the positions is still available, I would very much like to be considered. Thanks!"

How should I add that I remember meeting him a year ago?

 

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