What on earth does fit mean?

I am currently an international junior at a target who hasn't landed any offers. Had prior PE/IB experience and have been through several superdays and countless first rounds. (Most of which I think were great) I haven't missed one single technical question and the feedback I received was phenomenal. At this point, I really don't know what is wrong and can only contribute my lack of success to fit whatever that means although I genuinely thought I connected well with my interviewers. Really disappointed and thinking about pursuing a master in UK or Asia as it seems doing finance in the US is not for me.

 
Most Helpful

When I interview a candidate I would determine fit by how easy the person was to talk to and if I could imagine myself working with this person for an extended period of time. This is where being able to relate with the interviewer or finding some common ground is helpful (school is bare minimum; usually something like sports, same hometown, greek life would create stronger connection). I hate to say it but most internationals I talk to have a hard time making these connections and just end up being lost in the mix with other candidates.

 

An international student from a non-target who got an SA with a top group for this summer. agree with what was said above. at the superday that got me the offer, the conversations flowed much more easily. All the other super days I had the conversations were pretty monotonous. Like you, even I didn't get a single technical wrong for any of the other super days but still didn't get the offer. I think once you get to the superday stage, all else becomes equal. I didn't have an internship for SA 2020, but still got the SA 2021 position. Add some hobbies that Americans can identify with. I had a particular football team on my resume that almost always prompted the interviewer to ask me about it.

 

Would have to agree with what people said above. I'm also an international at a target and just finished recruiting (MM SA 2021). I've been to 3 superdays throughout the process. The first two I thought went super well - nailed all the technicals, interviewers replied to thank-you emails, getting pushed by MDs - but didn't get the offer. In my last superday, it was with a pretty niche coverage group. This time, I didn't know all the technicals but was able to sort of explain my thinking out loud. What I think really clicked was just being friendly/not too nervous and genuinely interested in the interviewers' stories (even at the 10th interview of the day). I'm also a big foodie so my interviewers and I kinda clicked on that as well. 
Tbh, like a lot of people will tell you, at the end of the day it's a numbers game. Just keep applying, interviewing, try to relax and I'm sure something will stick. Good luck!

P/S: I also commented on your "tired of this recruiting shit" thread and explained my frustration with the process. Got my offer about 2 weeks later. So not all hope is lost.

 

Simple way of thinking about it is the classic airport test. The idea is that the interviewer would imagine being stuck with a candidate on the job at an airport waiting on a delayed flight. You want to be the candidate who can show that you're a normal / interesting / fun / not weird person that one could be stuck with in such a situation given you'll often have parallel situations while stuck at the office late at night. Treat fit like you're being evaluated for your friendly qualities almost

 

1. are you going to be a wet blanket or make things awkward as all fuck

2. will you be a pain in the ass

3. will you embarrass us in front of clients or on social media

4. can you take a joke or do you seem the type that will end up filing a discrimination suit down the road 

pretty much sums it up

 

^ that!

Technicals are table stakes. Once you've reached Superday, assume everyone has them. Missing one doesn't really matter as it's all quite easy to learn. Every senior person interviewing you is really looking for two things:

1. Can I put this guy/gal in front of a client (and when)?

2. Is this guy/gal going to be fun, fit in with the team?

That's it. 

Some of you will think you have a very technical role so who cares about client exposure, wouldn't happen for many years, you'll be gone by then, etc. You need to learn to empathize with the other side (your future employer). They know most will leave, but they're actually looking for those that will stay. They don't want to simply be paying to train you to be successful elsewhere. Waste of their resources.

And I hope you aren't looking to be so technical that client exposure would never happen (at higher levels). If that's the case, you have zero job protection, nor should you. As soon as they can replace you with a cheaper alternative, you're out. 

Business (all) is essentially people centric. You got to get the people right for the business to prosper.

 

Aut aut sit perspiciatis consequatur sunt. Et numquam maxime quia dolorum dolores delectus quaerat molestiae. Sed fugit aliquam et fugit minima sapiente. Aut ut quibusdam libero delectus et fugit. Reiciendis qui dolor dolorum dolor dolorum fugit sunt.

Facere dignissimos ut nulla aut in. Repudiandae dolorem dolores laborum culpa sit quis quam. Distinctio sequi omnis non ipsam dolore. Iste nobis autem ea excepturi enim et. Et illum placeat placeat quisquam ratione animi nulla. Aut doloremque culpa vitae aut.

Sunt neque quo aperiam natus omnis fugit voluptas. Eveniet quia maxime voluptatem et et suscipit.

Money can purchase freedom, if you have the guts to buy it

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”