Is HR your friend?
Finally got myself a throwaway account.
Interviewing with 2 of GS/MS/JPM and 1 of MBB. Just received an internship offer from one of the banks in a division I don't really have any interest in. Had a a first round interview with the other bank this past Monday in a much better FO position though still not my target. MBB I just have an invite.
So as the title suggested I'm wondering if HR is your friend? How much do they communicate with the teams meaning will they tell a team that they are a first or second choice etc for a candidate?
HR has asked for me to respond to the offer by Friday (under a week) which seems like extremely short notice. I've let the other bank know that I have an offer, and the MBB is willing to work with me on getting me in. I don't want to risk messing up my offer or give them a reason not to give me a full time offer down the line (even if not my target division I still want at least an offer). To be fair, I was very upfront about wanting a different division from the start and even asked to be reconsidered for another - they simply responded along the lines of 'so do you want the interview?'
Anyway, appreciate any advice on the matter.
HR is not in any way, shape or form you friend. If I were you, I'd ask for a one week extension on the decision deadline as a starting point. Banks used to be ok with that, but maybe times have changed. Tell them that you are very interested in the offer but want to weigh all options before making a decision.
Thanks for the reply. I think it would be great if someone that has either worked in HR at a BB or works closely with them did a write up on how the whole process works. Specifically what you should and should not be loose lipped with them about. I'm starting to feel like I've been way too open with HR about my plans and where I'd like to end up. For example, I told HR at the second bank that I was very excited to be moving forward in the process, but the division/team wasn't my first choice. I was hoping that they'd consider me for something more fitting, but they just didn't even answer. May have shot myself in the foot on that one.
Other more specific questions:
1) If you ask HR if you could be considered for another position will they even forward that request to the hiring manager or do they just make that call themselves or assume that if they didn't show interest initially that they don't want you?
2) Related to above - will they also tell the first group that you don't seem that interested due to asking about other groups?
I would normally disagree with asking for an extension because that puts you at a risk of having the offer rescinded, but I think that this is the best course of action now. Since this is for SA, reneging can seriously screw you over for FT recruiting.
Oh wow, I would have thought they would just reply telling me they are sorry, but they need a decision by X - I didn't realize that even asking could possibly be grounds for it being rescinded. I was seriously considering just being completely honest and telling them I was finishing the interviewing process and wanted to weigh all options. While I certainly won't be dishonest with anyone, maybe I'll just ask for the extension politely without much of an explanation. I wish a little more emphasis went to candidate fit preferences, at least in the interviewing stage - they must know that even if I accept the offer I'll be working to move around anyway.
Here is what I would email them (just to make sure everything is in writing):
"Hello X,
I enjoyed interviewing with Bank Y and appreciate the opportunity that you offered me. I am trying to carefully and thoughtfully deciding where to intern next summer and would like to ask for a one-week extension to your deadline of this Friday.
Best,
Name"
hmm okay, so that's sort of a middle ground as by mentioning that I'm in a decision process it's really alluding to the idea that there might be a competing offer. I guess that allows them to either grant the extension, give me an alternative, or ask me outright about the hesitation.
Is HR your friend? HR is decidedly not your friend. HR could give a shit about you, or your future goals and aspirations. You are a number -- no, a number existing within a fixed quota -- to them. Be forewarned, and act accordingly.
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