What to make of this "interview"

CFA General
#1

Hi guys, Wanting to get advice regarding what happened at my 4th round interview. Round 1, 2 and 3 interviews went great. Really strong feedback. So had round 4 interview three days ago with a partner. I assumed that it would be the final round. Interviewer came in 35 mins late with the wrong CV. 10 mins into the interview he tells me that there will be a round 5 interview. This interview then carries on for another 20 mins. Also during the interview he answers his phone for 30 secs to 1 min. Feedback I get today is that he is unsure about my communication skills. My question: What should I make of all this! Thanks

#2

he doesn’t sound very professional. either that, or that is the way things are when dealing with the big boys.

#3

“Feedback I get today is that he is unsure about my communication skills” Thats code for…you used too much teeth. Ease up. ha…nah…in all honesty…dont sweat it. Im a firm believer in all things happen for a reason. If this guy is a complete mess then maybe you are better off being somewhere where you have access to a mentor that is well put together, etc.

#4

I once interviewed with 11 people at different times. The place has a consensus problem.

#5

11 thats a huge number of interviews…I’m hoping that 5 will be it!

#6

Yeah, the 11 was not a good sign because it was equally hard to get anything else done. Personally, I would stop at 5. If they call you back. Say “Actually, not interested”

#7

I interviewed at a place recently and towards the end I was made to wait 45 minutes to an hour while one of the partners was unavailable. By the time the final interview came, I had to leave to go to another interview. i only had a few minutes to talk with him. Needless to say I didn’t hear back…nothing I could have done there. Oh well.

#8

I once had a phone interview, then went in and met with 3 people (separately), then came back and met with 4 more people. Then they never ever bothered to call me back. It was when I was young and stupid though, so I think I dodged a bullet. The job was in…munis!

#9

Hey, hey! Easy on the muni guys…it’s a large, important industry…>:0

#10

so what you guys think: is this partners opinion of poor verbal communication a ding in reality! Also I’m now told that the fifth interview will be a telephone interview. How is that going to assess my comm skills compared to 4 face-to-face interviews. Am not sure what that will achieve, if anything. What do you people think. Is this strange? Thanks

#11

I agree it’s a large industry… just messing with you. Most of the guys who interviewed me were pretty impressive.

#12

I’m just playing, too.

#13

so what you guys think: is this partners opinion of poor verbal communication a ding in reality! Also I’m now told that the fifth interview will be a telephone interview. How is that going to assess my comm skills compared to 4 face-to-face interviews. Am not sure what that will achieve, if anything. What do you people think. Is this strange? Thanks

#14

From what you wrote and said, I wouldn’t worry about communication skills unless the issue comes up again from another source. This guy didn’t sound very organized or thoughtful, or even courteous; my guess is that someone asked him what he thought, he couldn’t remember anything except that the resume wasn’t helpful, and then blurted out something about communication.

#15

Rule of thumb: If the person who interviews you does not act in a professional manner; then that is they way they manage. Any intelligent partner, director, etc. always acts proper in front of the person they interview, because great companies truly value great talent and they want to be known as such.

#16

so i take it this won’t be happening at Goldman Sachs?

#17

Thanks for your replies. I think that I’ve been dinged by the partner. Post his interview, the firm seems to have lost interest.

#18

He probably got ahold of your AF posts and the three year attempts to either get enough motivation to study for level I or find something easier. You didn’t tell him about that in the interview did you?

#19

JDV, you have any idea why they’re taking out our CAIA post? is this forum against hte proliferation of other designations or charters? I think its very unprofessional that they would adamantly censor out analyst related material simply because its grounded on CAIA material. We’re not here talking about Sandra Navidi and how hot she is.

#20

Be glad you got dinged. There’s plenty of good jobs in the world, you don’t need to work for someone like that.