| Topic Name: |
interview problem |
| Message Name: |
agree |
| Date Posted: |
07/18/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
First, thanks to those who have responded maturely to the posted messages. I'm sure many people will benefit from your advice.
My situation: I was seriously ill during the first 3 years of my undergraduate degree and my marks really suffered. Fortunately, my health and grades improved dramatically during my final two years (I spent a 5th year).
I have two concerns:
1) Will firms judge me by my whole academic record, or will they put emphasis on my final two years?
2) If I have to explain my grades during an interview. what do I say? If I tell the truth, I'm worried they'll be reluctant to take me on. Although I'm fine, they might think the illness will return in the future.
I'm gunning for positions in global investment research, fixed income and commidities, management consulting, investment consulting. I'm interested in IB and investment management, but my grades aren't competitive enough for those particular fields, so I won't waste my time.
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| Message: |
I would agree with the previous poster that being honest is the best approach. However, you don't have to fully disclose exactly what that illness was. If you simply say that you had health problems that led to a lot of missed time, etc., that should explain the poor grades to the interviewer's satisfaction. And should avoid any issues about recurrent illness.
And yes, it's illegal for them to discriminate against you because of any past or present illness... but unfortunately, that's something that any company can get around at this step in the process (i.e., interviewing).
But all things considered, I'd still go with the honest, if vague, approach.
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