How to answer why you didnt convert an internship

I interned at a bank 2 years ago (pre covid), didnt convert, ended up FT someplace with a lower "rank". So EB SA to FT in a lower ranked BB (DB/UBS/CS).

Am interviewing for PE places and wondering how to approach a question about this. I got rejected from the internship with feedback being they felt I didnt talk enough with the VPs. But every analyst and associate I worked with during the internship strongly backed me for the FT offer and explicitly told me this whenever I asked for feedback. Obvs I know things are political and should have spent more time buttering up seniors and I've learnt this well so my reviews now are top ranked.  

But in an interview how should I respond to a question on this? Is being 100% honest the way to go, or given this is quite old is there a better answer for this?

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Don't see this being an issue.

If asked: "I had strong feedback from all the analysts and associates I worked with. At time of final review, I was told I didn't spend enough time interfacing with some of the more senior bankers on my team at the VP level and above. I've since become much more comfortable and proactive about working with team members across all seniorities, and have been a top ranked analyst since starting full-time."

 

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