So, I will be interviewing with M/B/B firm and for one of the projects I received great feedback and recognition from a C-level exec in my firm. The CFO wrote an email to some of the other senior exces, with me in CC - The mail talked about how I performed extraordinarily and brought signifigant financial savings for my firm.
Is it legit to mention about this in case this particular piece of work comes up in the interview? Also, My guess is actually taking along a copy of the mail as evidence of good performance would be stretching things too far, right?
Similarly, generally speaking is it the norm to position the not so mediocre projects that you have done as excellent work ( being factually correct but marketing it well) or is that something that is to be clearly avoided
I dont want to be dishonest but want to make sure that I dont err on either wrong side while talking of my projects and work . Havent been on either side of the interview tables much so would welcome thoughts or comments.
Showing such an e-mail sounds very unprofessional in my opinion, cant you just use that person as a reference?
maybe you can mention it; if they ask for proof have it with you, but don;t pull it out without asking...
if you mention it and they jokingly say can you prove that...have a printout i assume you cant use the person as a reference bc they want you to stay at your firm right?
Yes- by use of the person as a reference I guess you mean get him to write a letter/statement endorsing you, then I reckon it may be unwise and if I dont end up converting an offer I will be stuck in the middle!
Sounds fair to mention about it if the topic comes up. But I would be really surprised if they are blunt enough to ask me for a proof ? . Maybe people with more experience of consulting interviews can chip in ( esp M/B/B) - Does it get that to the 'nuts and bolts' about your work and its quality during interviews?
I wouldnt bust out a copy of the email, it would be rude. You are smart though in keeping those emails. ALWAYS print out emails where you are praised, recognized, whatever. If you can't prove it then it never happened.
Hmm okies- so I guess the consensus is it is OK to take along a print of the email. I agree with anthonyd- If you cant prove it, it never happened.
but a proof would very hopefully be asking the cfo for permission to include him as a reference, and then pass along his contact info to the interviewer in case he asks for proof or a recommendation, and make sure the cfo remembers that instance of high praise. i've never been an interviewer, but if i had, i would view someone taking out a copy of an email with some ridicule.
Yes, but I would be rather reluctant to ask the CFO for a reference before sealing the offer and letting him know I am interviewing with other firms...so, It is a rather sticky situation.
Anyways, I plan to mention that I can share the evidence with HR after the interview. The HR can then confirm the same to the interviewers..I personally would be slightly wary of pulling out an email printout in the middle of an interview..
I feel that showing them a copy of the email would be a bit much except in an extreme case where the interviewer is aggressively challenging you for proof. Offering to show an email to HR after the interview is just as awkward. I'm not sure why you feel this is necessary - do you not believe that the interviewer will take your word at face value?
You can bring a copy with you just in case (I'm sure the email says lots of great things about you in addition to recognizing your work), but really don't plan on busting it out. The fact that you were recognized by the CFO is pretty cool / significant - just work it into your story/description of the work you did instead of making it a main point... something to the effect of "[blah description of tasks & results blah]. I am especially proud of the impact I had at company because I was commended by the CFO to the other executives at the end of the summer for the cost savings resulting from my project" but (obviously) phrase it more smoothly.
Just another thought - the details you probably want to emphasize are the impact you had / the results you created rather than your being recognized. Being recognized is great and it helps make the point of how well you did, but it doesn't mean a whole lot without the context of what exactly it was that you did well (metrics like saved x amount of cost/time are great).
Dude.. Focus on your case practice and other interview prep instead of seeking opinion on whether or not to carry an email print out.
FYI - it would look highly immature to produce an email printout as a proof of your work. Here are 3 reasons why: 1. Confidentiality of your current employer. You shouldn't be printing around emails that discuss projects details and show them around to prospective employers. Imagine you were employed at M/B/B and were printing off client-related emails and showing them to your next employer. 2. You are a mature adult (hopefully) and the interviewer will take your word. You don't need printouts. 3. Do you really think that your particular project and that email is so critical for the MBB firm in their hiring decision that it might warrant carrying a printout ?
Also, in general, the advice given on this forum should be taken with a pinch of salt -- a lot of times, it's just the blind leading the blind.
This is a great post, I would listen to it.
I used to work ay MBB and I can tell you that this letter counts for naught, in fact taking a printout to the interview comes off as childish and petty.
Practice your interview skills (especially case), its the most important factor toward getting an offer.
Best of luck!!
Thanks guys for putting things in right perspective!
This is the most relevant thing said in this thread. If I was interviewing you and you pulled out an internal email like this, the only thing that would earn you is an instant ding. First of all, confidentiality is extremely important, and this is a gross violation of that. Second, unless you had the explicit permission of people to distribute the copy of an email chain they were a part of, this would simply be wrong to do, and would reflect very poorly on you.
I generally agree with everyone above with regards to not bringing said email to interview, a mention of the props should be fine.
The one time you do want to save all sorts of emails like this is for internal performance reviews. Most firms require you to review yourself, well the self review is really hard to write, but if you save these types of emails throughout the year, it is easy to find specific examples and cut/paste quotes for your self review.
Let me throw this little comment in right now. I just had a background check ran on myself and my title at my previous job does not match what the automatic system pulled up. I, luckily, have emails from my SVP, screen prints, pay stubs, etc. If you don't have any proof then guess what, no job. Always and I mean ALWAYS be able to back what up what you are saying. You get a glowing review, save and print that email. We live in a legal age boys and girls and if you do not have a paper trail you are screwed.
Oh, if you don't think they are keeping a paper trail on you then you are very wrong.
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