Interviews.... Love 'em.

[Roscoe]

Anyone ever had one that you were just - not only mentally - but physically exhausted after?

I just had one with the CEO of a company that has been courting me for almost a year from a competitor of mine. The VP of Sales has been very social, eager, and happy to speak with, as we've spoken several times in the same meetings and even had dinner one night a month ago, which prompted the process as their current guy in my region isn't going to last, thus initiating the process over the past few weeks.

As a final step, I had to take a call from their CEO and I half expected it to be somewhat cordial, but this dude was hardcore. Out of the gate was drilling me on situations, what I've done in certain positions, how to handle a lot of aspects of what we do. I survived.

Glad I had my shit straight and closed him to the final steps, but man... I'm fucking beat.

[DON SVO]

you better not whine like this on the golf course.

[347Mike]

Yes, but we already had the business. In Malaysia last year I had to give a presentation to a Sr Director along with a few Sr Managers of a company I shall keep nameless. Along with them were a few directors from my company there I was to share the presentation with. I was supposed to have a slide or two I was responsible for, and should have taken 20-30 minutes.

The entire presentation ended up being solely my topics and what was supposed to be 20-30minutes turned into 4-5 hours of me answering every possible question, scenario, and potential disaster. Then I had to entertain them for the rest of the day, 3 hours, and then once I got back to my hotel they invited me out to dinner, which was another 3 hours.

I survived, but felt like death half way through. It was the best thing for me. No one really knew who I was as this was a new position but it put my name out there like I would never have believed.

[Roscoe]

you better not whine like this on the golf course.

Nah, I'll just smash you. "Him's just a wittle guy..."

Yes, but we already had the business. In Malaysia last year I had to give a presentation to a Sr Director along with a few Sr Managers of a company I shall keep nameless. Along with them were a few directors from my company there I was to share the presentation with. I was supposed to have a slide or two I was responsible for, and should have taken 20-30 minutes.

The entire presentation ended up being solely my topics and what was supposed to be 20-30minutes turned into 4-5 hours of me answering every possible question, scenario, and potential disaster. Then I had to entertain them for the rest of the day, 3 hours, and then once I got back to my hotel they invited me out to dinner, which was another 3 hours.

I survived, but felt like death half way through. It was the best thing for me. No one really knew who I was as this was a new position but it put my name out there like I would never have believed.

I completely understand that one. I had something similar that turned into a 7.5hr presentation, that by the end of it you just want to smash your dick with a ball peen hammer to escape the agony.

I kinda already knew that I was going to get the offer (and I'm certain I still will, and will accept) but it's a double edged sword - you have to face the wrath but it's invigorating to know that this is the kind of leadership of the new opportunity.

[DON SVO]

Nah, I'll just smash you. "Him's just a wittle guy..."

Excellent.

[slow99]

Every interview I've had since entering UT has been ugly. My interview for my current job was 4 rounds...4th round was 9 hours on-site complete with pitches, financial statement modeling test, and a live earnings note writeup.

I laughed, the other day I saw a statistic that said most people prep an hour for interviews. I put in an average of 40.

[Roscoe]

Every interview I've had since entering UT has been ugly. My interview for my current job was 4 rounds...4th round was 9 hours on-site complete with pitches, financial statement modeling test, and a live earnings note writeup.

I laughed, the other day I saw a statistic that said most people prep an hour for interviews. I put in an average of 40.

That's the funny thing about having a skillset or a specific knowledge of certain things. You'll typically get grilled on situations or present (as you've mentioned) financial statement tests, or have to answer 100 questions on questions meant to test your knowledge of software, programming, how to build an ark, etc.

With sales, you can prep for the standard questions, but you'd better have your shit straight on what you've done, deals that you've worked, why you won them, areas of improvement, and the like.

I think I've got about 15 hours in the process in total, but you'd better know what to ask, when to ask it, and how to phrase everything.

<-- only knows sales

[slow99]

That's the funny thing about having a skillset or a specific knowledge of certain things. You'll typically get grilled on situations or present (as you've mentioned) financial statement tests, or have to answer 100 questions on questions meant to test your knowledge of software, programming, how to build an ark, etc.

With sales, you can prep for the standard questions, but you'd better have your shit straight on what you've done, deals that you've worked, why you won them, areas of improvement, and the like.

I think I've got about 15 hours in the process in total, but you'd better know what to ask, when to ask it, and how to phrase everything.

<-- only knows sales

Yep, we get all that too. Ideally an investment pitch in an interview setting should take about 2 minutes. With Q&A from the PM I've gone as long as 30 minutes. So you have to know all there is to know about that company or you're toast.

Aside from the stock/finance side of it, we get all "walk me through you resume, what do you think the solution to the Euro debt crisis is, why do you want sell side/buy side, hedge fund jobs, "how many barbershops are in the Unites States?", "how many gas stations in Austin, TX?" consulting type shit too. Interviews are a real pain.

[line-em-up]

After reading what you guys go through, I realize why I have some run of the mill job, while you guys are making the bucks. I don't think I would survive 15 minutes in your situation.

[Roscoe]

Just got the call and the offer letter arrives tomorrow.

<-- drinking early

[talisman]

Congrats!

[Roscoe]

Congrats!

choooooooooooo$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ choooooooooooooo$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

[slow99]

Congrats!

<--- still waiting to hear back from final round last week. Ugghhh, losing confidence.

[Roscoe]

Congrats!

<--- still waiting to hear back from final round last week. Ugghhh, losing confidence.

Best of luck on it. You looking to come back to TX or staying in the People's Republic?

[bcoop]

As Large as my industry is, it's fairly small and extremely close knit. Everybody knows everybody type deal, like a small town. I know about things before they happen, generally. My last interview was for a company I've worked for previously. I had no interest in the job, but went as a courtesy and a pride thing. I was laid off along with 6 others. They only want to hire me now because I've made it my missions to kick their asses, and I'm good at it.

The previous one I had 2 phone interviews with a headhunter, 1 phone interview with someone with the company offering the position. I wasn't drilled in either. My numbers speak for themselves. On this interview, they asked a lot of questions and how I would attempt to turn things around for them (heading up their sales division), but it wasn't a grilling by any means. I'm sales too, but I sell a value added service and relationship more than i sell a product.