how much time do you have to decide if to accept the offer

Hi, I have a very basic question. If the firm wants to hire you, how much time do you have to decide if to accept the offer? Would they ask you to decide like right now? Thank you very much!

21 Comments
 

I had 5 hours to accept an internship offer once...obviously not the norm but just trying to illustrate that it varies depending in role, situation, etc.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

It depends on the offer and the bank - some give a few weeks, some give a few days, some give a day or so. Usually, it falls between several days and 1-2 weeks. There are some means of extending, but usually the deadlines are pretty strict, and, understandably so, as there are usually many other candidates itching for that same spot (in IB, for example).

They wouldn't ask you (at least it is definitely not the norm) for an immediate decision, although you are welcome to accept right there if you're excited about it. Usually you'd get some docs and have to sign an offer for bigger shops, and for others, you'd have a bit of time to give them a call back and decide.

 
TMOne of the BB regional offices I dealt with actually called up candidates on the phone and told them straight up "Congrats, we'd like to give you an offer. Will you accept?" You had to literally give them an answer right there, or else they'd move on to the next person.

Holy crap

 

MD's have the most random and hectic schedules. He probably forgot or got incredibly busy. Give it a couple more days and then maybe contact him with a brief email.

 

If you through campus recruiting, the on-campus rules prevent companies from putting too much pressure on you. Depending on which school you go to, the company has to give you between a month or multiple months until you accept the position. This generally applies for SAs who were extended FT offers.

 

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