Reply to: I blew it! First potential chance into the finance arena....

[wantacontract]

Right.

Time to turn this around.

Nobody ever got anywhere by doing nothing, or accepting the norm.

I would recommend writing to the agent, or client, explaining that you felt you had not represented yourself in the best light.

Detail the answers you feel you could have answered better, with concise, and focused answers which are "what you would have said under normal circumstances".

It might not work, but you can only try - if you want the gig that much, it might just be worth acknowledging that you didn't feel the interview went well, and try and correct it, rather than leave that hiring manager to feel your incompetent....who knows where he or she will pop up in 12 months time?

HTH

Thanks for the advice.

But it's fine, I made it clear on what I wanted to say, the client said I wasn't abysmal, just needed more...

Next time!!

[oliverson]

I've been to interviews like that and then ... I got the job anyway! Every interview you do is good practice at your pitch for selling yourself and often you don't get the gig for the most random of reasons anyway. Chin up and good luck for the next one.

As you say, when you come home and that little girl similes at you, it all seems like so much less of a problem.

Consider it a lucky escape. If you want to see your little daughter grow up and spend time with her DO NOT go into the finance industry.

On the subject of interviews, I've had dozens, and even the ones that went fantastically didn't result in an offer. If the interviewer(s) can relate to you it's a good start. But you'd better be prepared for tough interviews, lots of them and rejection. Is it all worth it? No.

[radish2008]

Well it was my first opportunity to get into the finance arena, and not with a bloodsucking investment bank but a respectable northern building society and I totally blew the interview.

In fact, I don't think I've interviewed so badly since I was fresh out of uni....

I am going to blame it on

1. I wanted the contract too much.
2. Had no sleep as baby daughter was screaming all night and foolishly I agreed to a 9am interview, with a 6am start.
3. Nerves......

Walked out of there knowing I answered the questions all wrong...instead of banging on about project tolerance, setting up the project board, defining stages, I just kept on repeating

I am really good at project management, please hire me....

Ohhhh thank you !!!! I did exactly the same the day before yesterday and for almost the same reasons (except the crying daughter)

The first interview for 2 years, a telephone interview which I really prefer as I dread face to face (I know, I know - I just can't help it) and I made a bit of an ar$e of it.
Agent phone with feedback and the client said I'm still in with a chance but really could have kicked myself.

4 hours prep as well. The next one will be better

[nomadd]

Your antique language might also be showing you up. Nobody works in the "finance arena" any more. It's the "finance space" nowadays.

Your antique language might also be showing you up. Nobody says "nowadays" these days.

To the OP: Stop beating yourself up and move on.

[thunderlizard]

Your antique language might also be showing you up. Nobody works in the "finance arena" any more. It's the "finance space" nowadays.

[yasockie]

2. Had no sleep as baby daughter was screaming all night and foolishly I agreed to a 9am interview, with a 6am start.

This would be your average day in banking, so you sure you want every week day to look like today did?

[The Agents View]

Right.

Time to turn this around.

Nobody ever got anywhere by doing nothing, or accepting the norm.

I would recommend writing to the agent, or client, explaining that you felt you had not represented yourself in the best light.

Detail the answers you feel you could have answered better, with concise, and focused answers which are "what you would have said under normal circumstances".

It might not work, but you can only try - if you want the gig that much, it might just be worth acknowledging that you didn't feel the interview went well, and try and correct it, rather than leave that hiring manager to feel your incompetent....who knows where he or she will pop up in 12 months time?

HTH

[Scrag Meister]

Patience is a virtue, it took me three months and turning down a few other non-finance gigs to get what I was looking for when I switched from perm in 2007.

The telephone interview for the first banking contract I got was dire, well so i thought, but they had me back for face to face inteviews and was there for 3 years, went somewhere else for 9 months and am now back at ClientCo1.

Don't fret about it, get back up and move on.

[Wanderer]

In fact, I don't think I've interviewed so badly since I was fresh out of uni....

I've been to interviews like that and then ... I got the job anyway! Every interview you do is good practice at your pitch for selling yourself and often you don't get the gig for the most random of reasons anyway. Chin up and good luck for the next one.

As you say, when you come home and that little girl similes at you, it all seems like so much less of a problem.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Well it was my first opportunity to get into the finance arena, and not with a bloodsucking investment bank but a respectable northern building society and I totally blew the interview.

In fact, I don't think I've interviewed so badly since I was fresh out of uni....

I am going to blame it on

1. I wanted the contract too much.
2. Had no sleep as baby daughter was screaming all night and foolishly I agreed to a 9am interview, with a 6am start.
3. Nerves......

Walked out of there knowing I answered the questions all wrong...instead of banging on about project tolerance, setting up the project board, defining stages, I just kept on repeating

I am really good at project management, please hire me....

I was wanting to get into the financial sector ever since I started contracting. I managed to do it after 12 months of trying and it came when I least expected/wanted it and it was just down the road from me. Patience and persistence is the way to achieve what you want. A lot of it depends on the interviewer and how much they like you rather than how good you are so it has a lot to do with luck as well.

[kaiser78]

Well it was my first opportunity to get into the finance arena, and not with a bloodsucking investment bank but a respectable northern building society and I totally blew the interview.

In fact, I don't think I've interviewed so badly since I was fresh out of uni....

I am going to blame it on

1. I wanted the contract too much.
2. Had no sleep as baby daughter was screaming all night and foolishly I agreed to a 9am interview, with a 6am start.
3. Nerves......

Walked out of there knowing I answered the questions all wrong...instead of banging on about project tolerance, setting up the project board, defining stages, I just kept on repeating

I am really good at project management, please hire me....

There's more to life than getting your foot in the door of the finance arena !! Keep trying, the right opportunity will come along...

[wantacontract]

Children really ruin your life dont they.

hahah, no it's alright....anyone else I'd be ranting and raving, etc it's all their fault...but my baby girl...

Just came home from the interview and gave her a cuddle and kisses and felt better....

[wantacontract]

thanks guys....

yeah chalk it down to experience and move on really...got another interview lined up tomorrow...less money but better then nothing...

[escapeUK]

Children really ruin your life dont they.

[centurian]

Blame it on the bankers - everyone else does


Seriously, chin up - my first interview for a financial organisation wasn't my best performance, but I learned from it - and managed to crack it eventually.