Didn't pass phone interview, how to reapproach the hiring manager for a pre-MBA internship?

Water Cooler Careers
#1

I interviewed for a full-time position that I applied to, but I never heard back so I’m assuming I got rejected. The phone interview was 2 weeks ago. There were no technical questions or anything of that sort, and it was a conversation mostly around pay expectation and my experience doing certain things.

About a week ago, I heard back from an MBA school that I applied to and I’m enrolling. As I have some free time at the moment until school starts, I am looking for a pre-MBA internship and I want to contact this hiring manager that I spoke to. Any tips on how to approach the email and this topic tactfully? While pay would be great, I’m more interested in the experience because it is directly aligned to my post-MBA goals.

#2

Be frank, and use humor. If I blow an interview, I’ll say something like:

" Hey xxx, I really blew that interview. But, Saturday Night Live is asking for a transcript, so that’s good news.

Listen, if it helps my case, I’ll work for free just for the experience prior to my MBA. I’d consider it a personal favor, and put in 110%."

Also, we are all price takers in this economy. I think the pay questions were a trap. I *never* ask about pay until the contract is in front of me.

#3

Usually for experienced hires, the recruiting guy will ask you about your compensation in the first phone interview. They want to know if it is worth pursuing you or not. So in a way, it is still a “trap”.

As for contacting the manager for an interview, it depends on how your interview went. If it went ok, as is the case for most phone interviews, say you enjoyed talking to him and that you have decided to go to MBA. Add some BS about how his interview helped you see what sort of skills you need in your career, and that helped your decision to go to business school. Then ask if they have ever had interns and whether they would consider you for this role. It is important to be positive and show that your long term interests are aligned with what they do. You don’t need to say you will work for free. Interns are basically free, even if they get paid.

#4

This has got to be a joke.

#5

Nope. I’d rather do that than sound like litterally every other schmuck who didn’t pass the interview with some bland repetition of qualifications.

#6

Not everyone is willing to work for free.

#7

2 weeks isn’t that long, so maybe they just haven’t called you back yet. Call them to follow up, if you get bad news, tell them you’re beginning your MBA soon blah blah blah…

“would you consider taking me on as an intern?”

#8

Getting up during the interview and dancing the macarena also makes you stand out. Doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

#9

Unless you have some special skills (like Excel VBA), it’s not worth hiring an intern for 2-3 months, even for free. We used to hire a co-op every 4 months - not my choice. Biggest waste of my time training someone for 3 months just to see them go and worse, finally become useful…

You didn’t mention whether you followed up with a thank-you letter. That always stands out. That’s how we filter candidates. Send one even for phone interviews…

But then again 2 weeks in the US is not that long. My buddy once waited 4 weeks just for them to hire someone, have that person quit, then to have them call him next :slight_smile: