But why did they hire YOU?

Was talking to an associate, who currently works at CS, IBD.

The person who hired her told her it was because she was "really upbeat, and sounded like she wanted the job." I was stunned - that's it? She said, that's it.

So I want to know - what is it that really makes them pull the trigger and choose YOU.

If you have a story, please share: firm, position, department, and what made the difference. Best if you have it from the horse's mouth - where the actual decision maker told you exactly why.

 

In my experience women with decent CV have better chance of landing a job when they interviwe with the business lines (ie. not HR)... it's a parity thing and loads of men wanting female presence. Not saying women have it easier once on the job though...

Showing you're really motived is a good differenciator though, because you don't see that many outstanding candidates.

And showing motivation is showing interest, hence a certain amount of knowledge.

 

Seems unlikely to me in this case that being female was the trigger. There are plenty of female candidates out there - and hotter ones too. She was qualified like everyone else.

Anyway, that wasn't the question.

What I really wanted to know was - have you ever heard a hiring manager tell you - I picked you because .....?

Ever asked your boss?

 

and he told me I was picked because I had taken a year off during undergraduate studies to run my own business taking indie rock bands on tour...which is true I did - because it seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

Of course you'd get hired for those reasons. What you CV builders dont realise is once you get beyond the bog standard line in the sand set for grads / interns etc. it all comes down to "Could I have a beer with them?"

If this wasnt the case then the best paying jobs would be full of IIM students from India!

 

They don't pick based on "can I have a beer with them?"

They pick equally qualified candidates based on, "Which of these kids can I see representing our firm the best?" Confident, but not cocky kids who can relay their points succintly and firmly are the ones who have the best shot. Those are the types of kids who 2-3 years down the line you could see a client listening to. That, and they need to be sure that you can follow through on orders and survive being worked into the ground.

 

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