r/interviews • u/KeynesCrackpot • 13h ago
Bombed interview. Spiraling
Ugh venting to get this off my chest. I feel pretty senior (7-8 years of experience) but haven’t interviewed in the past two years. I feel like I shouldn’t be bombing technicals.
Company asked for a take home assessment to be completed in 3 days, over the weekend. Asked HR how this should be formatted, no response before the deadline. Responded to everything with written responses, submitted, interview was scheduled two weeks later.
I follow up with HR three times asking if the focus on interview will be on the take home, no response. I have a busy work week with no time to prep and my heart stops when they ask to present this during my interview.
It’s a terrible start and I’m shaky. I couldn’t figure out the question one guy was asking, spent 5 minutes clarifying before I understand and rattle off responses. He smiles and says “that’s perfect”. That’s probably the only highlight.
It’s downhill from there with them guiding me through responses. This is an area of financing that’s my weak point, I’m not actively managing it in my current day to day. I know they’re gently guiding me through mistakes but it feels awful.
I realize some of my simple calculations are messed up. My sensitivity tables are likely showing extreme values but I can’t explain it well. I miss high level questions.
I’m just so overwhelmed and upset. My feedback at my current job is good, but i feel like I’m viewed as a team player that will get work done at the expense of my own growth/upward learning. Sigh. I’m spiraling and can’t stop thinking about how badly I bombed.
1
u/Loganslove 12h ago
Another trick is about an hour or 2 before the interview, google interview questions for the position you're applying for. Look at several different posts that come up. Look at the answers as well. I write my answers down so it helps me remember what to say. Cause even if i know I'm ready, i can get thrown off by something, get nervous, and forget. So, by writing it down, it helps me remember i got this.
Good luck, i know you got this as well