Who
am I?
I am a graduate of a Top 10 Business school seeking a career in consulting and
financial services. I have 9 years of experience in technology, banking, and
business analysis under my belt before I went to business school. I graduated
6 months back.
Why
am I writing this?
I got every interview I wanted as I had a great resume, great cover letters.
I interviewed with all top notch firms like BCG, McKinsey, Booz Allen Hamilton
and Mercer Oliver Wyman. I did not get a job. Only feedback I got was my case
is weak but my leadership and personality is great. I kept working harder and
harder on my cases. Yet, I was never successful.
What
was I doing wrong?
I was focusing on my weaknesses and was not bringing out my strengths.
What
did I finally do right?
I finally knew something was wrong as the last set of 5 interviews I had with
a top notch restructuring firm had no cases and I still failed. I had only
1 more interview in pipeline, and I decided I need to do something different.
I called my closest 3 friends to give me feedback; feedback about any aspect
of my personality. Remember you have to be open to hearing anything here and
accepting the flaws also. Everyone came up with "Have more confidence", "do
not go personal and too honest in interviews that you reveal your personal
side". Now I knew I need to work on my confidence level and carefully
look into possible Questions and answers.
What
was Steve's contribution to my success?
Steve was instrumental at this time when I knew exactly where I needed help.
I told him of the 2 weaknesses the 2 day time interval I had and how this was
my last try. I had two focused 45 mins sessions with Steve over the phone.
I had my interviews next day in NY. I got a job with IBM consulting services.
Why
would I recommend him to anyone who is in this boat, where you
are skilled but not good at interviewing?
He was exceptionally good about accommodating my time requirements.
His
service is very economical, I know this as I had done my research
in Boston area.
He
has the natural gift of helping you look at your strengths and
bring them out elegantly.
I
walked out of his sessions with an air of confidence and wishing
you had talked to him before.
He
doesn't give you scripted answers, he comes up with standard
scripted questions and the keywords that are important in each
answer and how you should wrap your basic answer around your
keywords.
Also,
I think he was very generous in that my last session was way
longer and I was not charged for it.
Could
I have done it without the two sessions with Steve Huffman?
Absolutely not! I would have simply repeated history.
AL,
Boston, MA
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