How to answer "Why did you get a C in this class"

I have a superday and know I will be asked why I got a C in Managerial Accounting. I don't have a real reason other than the fact it was an exceptionally hard class, yet I did know the info for the most part. How can I turn this negative into a positive? 

 

An answer that I used to cover my low accounting mark was that I said how "I had other commitments that clashed with the exam, and I had to decide between which to prioritize - this is not an excuse, however, and this semester I am taking other courses in the same field to deepen my understanding for the topic and redeem myself". And then I bring up how I got a really good mark in a higher-level accounting course the next semester. 

 

Curious on how they’ll know this since they don’t ask for transcripts till you actually get an offer.

 

My brother in Christ do you know what firms make you submit a transcript? Are EBs known to scrutinize specific grades?

 

Not sure why you’d be asked this question, but I would try and pick a lesson you learned after getting that C. Talk about reflecting on your performance and noticing a few areas to improve upon, which you now implement in your current courses. “It was hard” might be the truth, but that answer doesn’t show ambition and an eagerness to adapt your process.

“After not performing well, I took some time to think about why. During that process, I realized that I did X less optimally than I should have, so in future courses I made sure to make X a priority, which has yielded exceptional results in the Y and Z courses I took later on.”

 
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Simp4EBITDA

Not sure why you’d be asked this question, but I would try and pick a lesson you learned after getting that C. Talk about reflecting on your performance and noticing a few areas to improve upon, which you now implement in your current courses. “It was hard” might be the truth, but that answer doesn’t show ambition and an eagerness to adapt your process.

“After not performing well, I took some time to think about why. During that process, I realized that I did X less optimally than I should have, so in future courses I made sure to make X a priority, which has yielded exceptional results in the Y and Z courses I took later on.”

This.... Embrace it and spin it. Even if they know you are lying, spin and being positive are what this business, especially at upper levels, is all about.

You can put it down to a lot of things. Other classes you prioritized, partying, whatever. But quickly get into lessons learned and then how you applied those lessons to CRUSH the next (relevant) class to the job that you are interviewing for.

So if you are asked this question... Smile, nod. "Great question, I'm glad you asked. You know I was doing X or prioritized Y at the time, and hey, that was a mistake as you can see my grade suffered. You learn from your mistakes right and college is a great place to do that. I learned x and y from that and you'll see in (insert next class here) that I applied those lessons and crushed the class and have gone on to do x"

Or something like that.

I used to do Asia-Pacific PE (kind of like FoF). Now I do something else but happy to try and answer questions on that stuff.
 

This is good, but you also need to point out that all of the kids who got As were racist because they thrived in a systemically racist institution.  If the interviewers seem to balk at or be offended by your response, be sure to point out their white fragility.

I come from down in the valley, where mister when you're young, they bring you up to do like your daddy done
 

What about for EBs? I've heard they're smaller so HR is more in contact

 

I had this question when I was recruiting “back in the day” as I had a similar situation. The grade was largely concentrated to one exam and I rolled with it “I spent too much time focused on one element of the exam, and other elements suffered. From this I learned x,y,z” spin it into the classic weakness question framework and you should be fine

 

how about just be honest and tell the ACTUAL reason?

Most of the above answers are variations of "lie and say something you think the interviewer wants to hear"

For example, if you sortof did mini give-ups where you would read a chapter and think "ok, i basically get this...but this is not fun....so i'm gonna stop studying accounting and go play frisbee on the quad with the girls..doing extra study exercises to get a 100% on the exam seems like overkill" just say that.   If you then went on to get better grades in the more advanced courses...go ahead and say that to redeem yourself...but just make sure you come across as honest...nobody respects a bullshitter.

NEWS FLASH: your interviewer hates being lied to...and will lose respect for you if it appears you are lying...and you probably suck as an actor (but what the fuck do i know)

 

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