Answering an interview question about failing to convert a previous VS

[Florawilliams]

Hi

I have an AC coming up for a VS. I did a winter VS back in 2019 and failed to convert to a TC. Just wondering people's tips on how to approach this question

The real reason i didn't convert is because certain elements of my final interview were weak, such as my answer to the commercial scenario. I also generally didn't find myself a good fit for the firm (this is not the reason i didn't get a TC tho)!

Thank you for any responses

 

[Naomi U]

Hi

I have an AC coming up for a VS. I did a winter VS back in 2019 and failed to convert to a TC. Just wondering people's tips on how to approach this question

The real reason i didn't convert is because certain elements of my final interview were weak, such as my answer to the commercial scenario. I also generally didn't find myself a good fit for the firm (this is not the reason i didn't get a TC tho)!

Thank you for any responses

Hi @Florawilliams

Congrats on your upcoming AC!

I would approach this answer as honestly as possible from a developmental point (e.g. like you said you weren't as strong commercially) then explain how you have developed since. I think this is better than leading with the notion that the other firm wasn't the right fit because as you said that wasn't the reason. Also, I think your answer won't be as strong if it seems like you are blaming.

Instead I think interviewers will like to see that you are self-aware and you possess the ability to take in criticism and learn from your past mistakes.

Best of luck!

 

[Florawilliams]

Hi @Florawilliams

Congrats on your upcoming AC!

I would approach this answer as honestly as possible from a developmental point (e.g. like you said you weren't as strong commercially) then explain how you have developed since. I think this is better than leading with the notion that the other firm wasn't the right fit because as you said that wasn't the reason. Also, I think your answer won't be as strong if it seems like you are blaming.

Instead I think interviewers will like to see that you are self-aware and you possess the ability to take in criticism and learn from your past mistakes.

Best of luck!

Hi Naomi

Great thank you! yes i thought this was the best way to go about it thanks do you think just saying the commercial question in the interview was weak because i skipped to the answer rather than really going through my steps (for example)?

 

[Dheepa]

Hi Flora,

I agree with mostly everything that Naomi has said! Definitely lead with the feedback you received and all the steps you've taken since then to improve on those areas. And yes you can definitely highlight what you think could have gone better in the actual interview (i.e. you needing to demonstrate your thought process better), this will really show that you have taken the time to reflect on your own as well.

I just wanted to add that there really is nothing wrong with saying you realised you were not a good fit for the firm (as long as this is the ancillary reason that you mention!). If you wanted to be more careful about saying that, you could phrase it by saying why you didn't think it was the right fit and consequently how that made you realise that firms like the one you do have the AC at appeal to you more. This was my own approach when answering this question, and I sometimes even got a laugh out of the partners for the honesty.

 

[Naomi U]

Hi Naomi

Great thank you! yes i thought this was the best way to go about it thanks do you think just saying the commercial question in the interview was weak because i skipped to the answer rather than really going through my steps (for example)?

Hi @Florawilliams

No problem! Sure- I don't see why not, if you feel that this was the problem. I would mention how I knew e.g. through my feedback or my own self critic the focus more so on how you feel it could have gone better and the steps you have took to ensure improvement next time.

I think they just want to see that you have developed and that you can be honest about your experiences!

 

[Florawilliams]

Hi Flora,

I agree with mostly everything that Naomi has said! Definitely lead with the feedback you received and all the steps you've taken since then to improve on those areas. And yes you can definitely highlight what you think could have gone better in the actual interview (i.e. you needing to demonstrate your thought process better), this will really show that you have taken the time to reflect on your own as well.

I just wanted to add that there really is nothing wrong with saying you realised you were not a good fit for the firm (as long as this is the ancillary reason that you mention!). If you wanted to be more careful about saying that, you could phrase it by saying why you didn't think it was the right fit and consequently how that made you realise that firms like the one you do have the AC at appeal to you more. This was my own approach when answering this question, and I sometimes even got a laugh out of the partners for the honesty.

hahah ! thank you so much for this response! very helpful

 

[Florawilliams]

Hi @Florawilliams

No problem! Sure- I don't see why not, if you feel that this was the problem. I would mention how I knew e.g. through my feedback or my own self critic the focus more so on how you feel it could have gone better and the steps you have took to ensure improvement next time.

I think they just want to see that you have developed and that you can be honest about your experiences!

thank you so much Naomi for the help

 

[Florawilliams]

hey everyone again, thank you for the help! do you think it is appropriate to say i got really good feedback from my supervisor but fell down in the final interview because this was the case ? basically do you think it is appropriate to talk about what was positive in the feedback too or is this missing the point because i obviously didn't get the TC?

 

[Dheepa]

hey everyone again, thank you for the help! do you think it is appropriate to say i got really good feedback from my supervisor but fell down in the final interview because this was the case ? basically do you think it is appropriate to talk about what was positive in the feedback too or is this missing the point because i obviously didn't get the TC?

Yes you can definitely mention the positive feedback and perhaps even frame it as evidencing all the reasons you believe you're suited to the position. That is personally how I think I would include it in addition to everything that has already been said about the negative feedback and your actions since then etc.