Completely bombed my IB summer internship interview
Hi everyone, I just bombed my interview and thought I would share my experience and maybe get some tips.
I just started my two-year finance master at a target school in my country. Completed my bachelor in 2017 and had a gap year before going back to school now. Completed two internships during my gap year, one corporate finance internship at a large firm and one at a very small PE fund.
As I do every year, the past couple of weeks has been used to send out applications for internships. Got a call yesterday with an invitation for an interview today, at what many ranks as the best IB in my country. Was a bit shocked to get an interview from them and panicked since it was the day after. Used the evening to brush up some basics as different valuation methods and my story.
The interview started out good, I told them my story and we had a nice conversation. Then comes the case question. I have never been in an interview with case solving so I completely froze. I couldn't do the most basic calculations, messed up the number of zeros in some large numbers and they had to guide me through the case. I don't know if it was nervousness or if I have some kind of dyscalculia, but I have never felt so stupid my whole life. Feel really bad for messing up this opportunity, but I have made a plan to be better prepared in the future.
- Just ordered casebooks.
- Brush up on basic arithmetics and practice mental math.
- Focus on controlling my nervousness.
Any other tips or similar experiences would be appreciated.
I think this happens to everyone in their first few calls, it is hard to maintain composure especially in a stressful situation. It's unfortunate this was an important interview, but keep on applying. Your steps seem good, and at least you have your story down.
For the nervousness you really just need to get on the phone with people. Not sure what country you're in, networking is less popular in some areas but email some alumni and just have a casual conversation about their experience. If you have 5 twenty minute calls you'll be that much more prepared for it. Also set up some mock technical interviews through your school or a friend, both on the phone and in person. It sounds like your math wasn't fundamentally bad, you just panicked. Not the end of the world, take it as practice and keep grinding
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