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Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:04 pm
by Anonymous User
I have an interview with a mid size firm in NYC. Just broke leg and am in a cast and crutches. Just curious if anyone has had experience interviewing like this and if you think it'll negatively impact my chances.
Thanks

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:10 pm
by RodneyRuxin
I'm a little worried that you won't be able to wear a suit over this (depending on which leg bone is broken), so let us know if that's the case.

Other than that, be ready for lots of talk about "how you broke it" and be able to talk about whatever story there is with a smile. This is a pretty good indication for the firm to figure out how you deal with bad news. If your last weekend at the firm sucked, they don't want you going around telling everyone how much it sucked. Show them you can handle rough times without putting your problems off on someone else.

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:10 pm
by Tom Joad
How did you break it? If you have a cool story and are confident, use it to your advantage. Everybody will remember the crippled dood/chick. Leave them with a good impression and they won't forget about you.

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:23 pm
by Anonymous User
I was recovering from surgery and was in crutches for an interview. It made no difference. Got a government 1L internship that was hard to get. My boss who interviewed me later forgot I was even in crutches.

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 2:17 am
by Pokemon
You have to make it up with your personality. I do think it has a slight negative effect; everything that makes people curious, but cannot ask about it, can have a negative effect. Just my personal opinion.

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 2:49 am
by ManOfTheMinute
Tom Joad wrote:How did you break it? If you have a cool story and are confident, use it to your advantage. Everybody will remember the crippled dood/chick. Leave them with a good impression and they won't forget about you.
And if you don't... you know, pretend like you do

I had a bum knee for an internship in college, and it really made me stand out among partners/etc which I think was advantageous

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 9:17 am
by Bronte
Pokemon wrote:You have to make it up with your personality. I do think it has a slight negative effect; everything that makes people curious, but cannot ask about it, can have a negative effect. Just my personal opinion.
People will ask about crutches and a cast. It's not that sensitive. Overall, I think this will be no problem for OP. Something to talk about.

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:17 am
by NotMyRealName09
I'd agree - no real impact. If anything, perhaps a slight positive for sympathy. If I were interviewing you, I'd think, "damn, that sucks," and then like you for toughing it out.

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 2:45 pm
by y2zipper
Tell them you broke it wrestling a shark or something.

Just tell your story and embrace the fact that your leg is broken and it's an advantage.

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 3:57 pm
by Anonymous User
I interviewed while on crutches for a torn ACL. Didn't make a difference and it was always a good conversation starter. I would recommend letting whoever is organizing the interview know in advance -- that way they can accommodate you and not make you crutch a long distance.

Re: Broken leg and interviews

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:42 pm
by Anonymous User
OP- not such an exciting story. Playing sports. Although in gonna try and take a team player angle. Just hope they don't get a negative first impression. Thanks for the responses