How to phrase no offer

Hi all,
Did a S&T internship at a BB but did not receive a return offer.
Was very clear why: I was not enthusiastic about the job (very true).
Not upset other than the fact I have less leverage for FT recruiting.
Question: I've heard that, if in interviews, if they don't SPECIFICALLY ask if I received a return offer, I don't necessarily have to state that I didn't.
I've had a few phone calls where they ask "how'd it go, or how'd you do" and I say I had a great experience and learned a ton, but am interested in xyz because...
If I go through the whole process without ever explicitly stating my offer status (unless of course directly asked) would that count as lying?
Also, another part of the feedback included lacking some technical skills (which for me was due to my lack of interest).
If I phrase my lack of an offer, or dance around the question focusing on cultural fit, will they ever go back and ask my office what the "real" reason was and have that pointed out of me?

Thank you all

 
Best Response

you are never obligated to divulge information...especially in this instance. Even if you are specifically asked "did you receive an offer for a FT position after your internship" you are still not obligated to respond.

Here are options of things you can say is SPECIFICALLY ASKED "did you receive an offer?" 1) "no comment" 2) "i wasn't crazy about the culture at ABC...that's why i'm interviewing with XYZ bank" (notice how you never actually answered the question..this is known as re-framing the question) 3) "i wouldn't take an offer from ABC...thats why i'm talking to XYZ" (again, notice how you never actually answered the question..this is known as re-framing the question)

This is not a court of law, and you are not under oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

If they don't ask, you DEFINITELY do not have to give information that works against you. Its your job to spin your situation / experience in the most positive light. Why? Because if you take a job with bank XYZ, that's EXACTLY what they will want you to do when representing the firm to clients...always emanating a positive spin, with a confident attitude.

The interview is a dry run for how will you perform in the actual job. That's why the interview exists...otherwise they would just hire based off the resume alone..and we know that's NOT how this works. Its called "putting your best foot forward" and it is expected that you will do this. Its a test to see if you are actually capable of positive spin...because some people are not.

 
ironnchef:

you are never obligated to divulge information...especially in this instance. Even if you are specifically asked "did you receive an offer for a FT position after your internship" you are still not obligated to respond.

Here are options of things you can say is SPECIFICALLY ASKED "did you receive an offer?"
1) "no comment"
2) "i wasn't crazy about the culture at ABC...that's why i'm interviewing with XYZ bank"
(notice how you never actually answered the question..this is known as re-framing the question)
3) "i wouldn't take an offer from ABC...thats why i'm talking to XYZ"
(again, notice how you never actually answered the question..this is known as re-framing the question)

This is not a court of law, and you are not under oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

If they don't ask, you DEFINITELY do not have to give information that works against you. Its your job to spin your situation / experience in the most positive light. Why? Because if you take a job with bank XYZ, that's EXACTLY what they will want you to do when representing the firm to clients...always emanating a positive spin, with a confident attitude.

The interview is a dry run for how will you perform in the actual job. That's why the interview exists...otherwise they would just hire based off the resume alone..and we know that's NOT how this works. Its called "putting your best foot forward" and it is expected that you will do this. Its a test to see if you are actually capable of positive spin...because some people are not.

Those are all terrible answers

 
ironnchef:

you are never obligated to divulge information...especially in this instance. Even if you are specifically asked "did you receive an offer for a FT position after your internship" you are still not obligated to respond.

Here are options of things you can say is SPECIFICALLY ASKED "did you receive an offer?"
1) "no comment"
2) "i wasn't crazy about the culture at ABC...that's why i'm interviewing with XYZ bank"
(notice how you never actually answered the question..this is known as re-framing the question)
3) "i wouldn't take an offer from ABC...thats why i'm talking to XYZ"
(again, notice how you never actually answered the question..this is known as re-framing the question)

This is not a court of law, and you are not under oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

If they don't ask, you DEFINITELY do not have to give information that works against you. Its your job to spin your situation / experience in the most positive light. Why? Because if you take a job with bank XYZ, that's EXACTLY what they will want you to do when representing the firm to clients...always emanating a positive spin, with a confident attitude.

The interview is a dry run for how will you perform in the actual job. That's why the interview exists...otherwise they would just hire based off the resume alone..and we know that's NOT how this works. Its called "putting your best foot forward" and it is expected that you will do this. Its a test to see if you are actually capable of positive spin...because some people are not.

I really appreciate your comment; other people have alluded to how necessary it is to spin the answer. My specific question now is, would the firm I'm interviewing for CALL my previous bank and ask why I didn't receive a return?

 

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