What if interviewer asks what other offers/interviews you got?

What if interviewer asks what other offers/interviews you got during an interview?

I'm in interview process with 4 companies... but don't know if it's appropriate to answer if interviewer asks me what are the companies. Should I answer? Why and why not?

41 Comments
 

Just answer. There's no reason to be dishonest. Wall street is a small place and they will talk. You don't want to be Jeffrey Chiang 2.0

 

Think about why they are asking you this. They want to: a) See your strength as a candidate. b) See if you would choose them if they gave you an offer.

If you are a strong candidate with good resume / target school, part B is more important to them. I think it's best to give an answer that is vague and gives what they want to hear such as: "I'm interviewing at several other bulge brackets and a few boutique firms, but Firm XYZ is my top choice because of ______ (the people I met, its strength in xyz sector, etc.)" Again if you are a strong candidate, they won't doubt that you have other interviews and you'll satisfy them by stroking their ego a little bit. No need to mention Goldman and Blackstone, it will just sound like you're bragging. Just don't be insincere about it and tell them they are your top choice if it's Piper Jaffray.

If you are not such a strong candidate, part a) is more important. If you have interviews at a few other good firms, you can mention specifics. But I feel it always makes the answer better by adding why you're interested in XYZ firm at the end.

Most importantly, don't lie. Chances are they will not press you for specific names if you answer confidently, but never make things up. If you don't have much else on your plate, you can say "I'm interviewing with a few other middle market and boutique firms." If they ask who you can say "I prefer to keep that private." Most people will respect you for your privacy- as that question is irrelevant to their interview.

 

I AM in the interview process with 4 firms at moment (from 1st round to 2nd rounds). However I wasn't sure if it'd be appropriate to answer which ones.. it may be seen as lacking privacy?

-- Recent Actuarial Science (good statistical skills) grad looking for entry-level work ANYWHERE. Writing CFA Level 1 in June 2010. Passed 3 actuarial exams.
 

don't lie, you don't need to mention all places you are interviewing at but you need to mention some. Especially don't mention about the places at which you didn't do well in the interview, to avoid this without lying just say something like:

"Yes, I am also talking to a few other places, such as MS, Citi, and ML, but I think I would take your offer above the others because [insert bullshit]"

Mention places that you have been doing well in the interview. Chances are the first thing your interviewer will do after interviewing you is to pick up the phone and call for references. I def. call my friends at other places that the candidate has interviewed to get some verification.

 

It also might be nice for you to add something along the lines of, "But XXXX is where I really want to work because of ABCD"

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

Just say the truth - you had a lot of great interviews, and you're still waiting to hear back from them, but that this particular bank is your first choice. That way, you're not begging by showing you're in demand, but also still "available" to hire since you don't actually have any offers on the table. You could also mention your other offer that's not wall street, and follow it up with saying it's not really something you're very interested in.

 

They want to know if they need to expedite the process, if you have another offer outstanding, but its not as good, tell them that. Or, if you aren't in a time crunch say nothing at all and wait it out.

--There are stupid questions, so think first.
 

Don't lie about an offer. You might get off, but it could hurt you. Just tell them the truth - I've had interviews with so and so, and am waiting to hear back from them. If you want to bs a little, say that the firm at hand was the first you went through the process with, so understandably you are a bit behind with the others.

 

Banks are in contact with each other way too much. Don't lie about having another BB offer if you don't have one. Say you have options for positions and are still interviewing at other places but that you want to work for them first and foremost.

 
Best Response

It's very important for the process to know if someone has offers outstanding. If you have existing offers outstanding, the process may need to be sped up. Some firms will interview and then have a superday two weeks later for your school, but can put you in on an earlier one if you have an offer that needs to be answered. Also, if you are interviewing at a second-tier firm and you have an offer outstanding at GS, well they may not want to waste an offer on you. Most firms can only give out a certain number and are also concerned with their acceptance rates. So, if you have a really good offer and they don't think they'll get you, they may pass and give it to someone who actually wants the offer.

There are other reasons, but these are some of the big ones.

--There are stupid questions, so think first.
 

not trolling-just was unsure so asking before fucking up.

another reason you may not want to disclose is if its in another field within finance which would mean you're not 100% committed or whatever to the field you are interviewing for, but i guess whether its that or just lying dinged either way.

thanks

 

Also, one more question recently HR has asked me what my salary requirements are (I'm still a student, so I don't really know what I'm looking for). What would be a good way to answer this question?

 

This is why you don't mention you have an offer in hand too early.

If it was during an interview with an actual banker it usually pays off to have a little more transparency but it doesn't pay off when dealing with HR.

Tell them it is a highly ranked group in their space and quote the same salary as the BB offers.

If they ask for the name of the company be firm about them being your first choice and keep quiet.

If they push back firmly just give them the name already and keep in mind you just made yourself SOL in any negotiation of your salary by naming the company.

 

Every time you interview with a firm. They ask if you have an offer and from whom.

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