Standard Chartered Bank’s failed interview experience

Standard Chartered Bank’s failed interview experience. Everyone writes “team spirit” and “communication skills” on their resumes. We think these are strengths, but to recruiters they are featureless and the same. You are a "three good students" and "excellent cadres", and so is he.

Since elementary school, I have used words such as "Time flies, time flies" countless times. Now that I think about it, it is really "just to express sorrow for the sake of new words". When I truly realized the weight of these words, it was already the first half of my senior year. At this critical moment, I suddenly realized how ridiculous it is to throw myself into the job hunt even though I have no characteristics or do not understand my own characteristics.

Successfully passed the personality test

Unlike most students who cast a large net, my limited time and energy and strong self-confidence made me choose only a few companies. Target: including Industry Firms,

accounting firms, banks (both foreign and domestic). After listening to several seminars, I thought that the seminars were just a stage for major companies to put on a show, so I was too lazy to continue to attend the seminars with others, and just asked my classmates about the recruitment process.

At the end of November 2002, after listening to Standard Chartered’s job fair, my roommate looked excited: “Standard Chartered’s overseas training program is very attractive. You can go abroad every year! It’s a pity that only a few people are recruited nationwide. . ”

“It’s such a great training.” I am very eager to enter an “elite unit” that only recruits a few people across the country, so I asked how to apply. "Submit your resume online, but you must first pass a personality test that is said to be difficult." "Oh my God, another personality test!" I couldn't help but gasp, because I failed in previous personality tests such as Maersk. It can be said that I have lingering fears.

Finally, "There is always a path". This time, I was lucky enough to pass the online personality test. The next proficiency test is to test primary school mathematics knowledge. As long as you have certain English skills and a serious attitude, you can pass. Finally, there were a lot of es-say questions. I copied some words from my resume and finished them in half an hour.

Easily deal with "One Side"

In January 2003, I had just returned to my hometown and was enjoying my last winter vacation when I received a "One Side" call from Standard Chartered Bank. Although I felt relaxed when I returned to my parents' arms, I regained my energy and adjusted my state for the work that I had been fascinated by for a long time. According to the agreed time for the interview, I hurried to the China Merchants Building in Shanghai by train. Although I am not from Shanghai, it was not my first time to go to Shanghai for an interview. I knew the route clearly beforehand and rushed from the train station to Pudong smoothly.

The manager of "Yi Yiyi" was beautiful and kind. He mainly asked some questions about the experience on my resume, and also asked me which books, newspapers and magazines I usually read. I prefer financial newspapers and periodicals, such as "21st Century Business Herald" and "Business Week".

Following my answer, the manager asked me to talk about a piece of financial news I had read recently and share my own views. To me, who is good at public speaking, this is just "A Piece of Cake". After talking for 20 minutes, the considerate manager asked me if I would go home for the New Year. I nodded yes. She asked me politely if I was in a hurry to take the afternoon train. Although I was embarrassed, I admitted it frankly. My "side" of Standard Chartered ended in a hurry.

When I walked out of China Merchants Building, I took a deep breath. The cold air made me feel energetic.

What makes me even more happy is that the "one side" ended smoothly, and it seems that the offer from Standard Chartered is already waving to me. Back home, I had a comfortable year.

"Double Face" Waterloo

Sure enough, after the Chinese New Year, I received the "Two Faces" notice. At this time, I was very confident and felt that Standard Chartered's noodles were not enough to try. However, this time it was the head of the department who took action. Unexpectedly, this time I became the outcast of the goddess of luck.

At the end of February, there were not many days left for school, and I had already returned to school. Because the school is in Beijing, the "two faces" were arranged in the Beijing office of Standard Chartered, which coincidentally was also in the China Merchants Building. When we arrived at our destination, we met the person in charge. After the pleasantries, the interviewer asked me straight to the point why I wanted to apply for his department. I was confused. I just filled it in when I applied online. I really didn't think about it carefully. I had no choice but to bite the bullet, analyze my major and interests, and work in that department. Although there is nothing wrong with the idea, it is still improvised, hasty and far-fetched. This also proves once again that adequate preparation is a prerequisite for a successful interview.

The interviewer was obviously not satisfied with my nonsense and asked me if I had attended Standard Chartered’s seminar. At that time, I had unspeakable regrets, so I could only say that I missed the seminar because of course conflicts.

This little trick obviously couldn't be hidden from him. Fortunately, the interviewer didn't pursue it any further and started asking questions about the resume. Suddenly, he changed the topic and said: "I have met so many applicants, can you give me a reason to admit you and give up others?" Just as I was listing my advantages "one, two, three, four", He interrupted me and said, "Others seem to have these advantages as well. Can you tell me more about your own characteristics?" Now, I was embarrassed again and couldn't remember what I was talking about. Rather than saying that I don’t remember, it’s better to say that I really haven’t thought about the characteristics that are different from others. Just like a senior brother said, everyone writes "team spirit" and "communication skills" on their resumes. We think these are strengths, but to recruiters they are featureless and the same. You are a "three good students" and "excellent cadres", and so is he. Everyone thinks these titles are great, but with a bunch of people like this put together, how do you convince HR to hire you instead of someone else?

After making nonsense, the person in charge obviously lost interest in continuing to interview me. Please be polite. The interview ended after a few words. "Two Faces" didn't last long, but my feeling was that it was "finally over." When I walked out of the China Merchants Building this time, my mind went blank, and I had a vague premonition of my failure. But I tried my best to comfort myself at that time. The results of the previous interviews that I didn’t feel good about were okay, and maybe this time it would be good too. I am taking a chance that maybe everyone is at the same level, so feeling bad is definitely not necessarily a loss. However, "God is fair", and the result of this indifferent interview was "rejection".

Failure Speech

In hindsight, the defeat of "Standard Chartered" was no accident. As the saying goes, "Know yourself and the enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat." How can I stand out if I know very little about myself and other people's recruitment plans? Here are some true words for future generations: Listen to the lectures if you can, but there is still some important information in them. . If you really don’t have time to participate, it’s best to carefully ask the classmates who have listened to it to understand some of the key issues in recruitment, so as not to suffer unnecessary losses like me. In addition, don't be complacent before you get an offer. It's really not a wise move to relax your vigilance against "two sides" like I did. When you go to school, pay attention to discovering and cultivating your own characteristics, discuss more interview experiences with your classmates, and go to the website to search for some interview questions. After all, it is beneficial and harmless.