Choosing between 2 boutique offers - possible bad timing

Hey guys,

So real quick, I have a small boutique final round coming up with week. This is all currently hypothetical right now, but last Friday I had a phone interview with a larger boutique in my area and I think it went extremely well - I'd be shocked if I didn't make it to the next round.

So here's my predicament: Assuming I get an offer from the smaller boutique this week, I would obviously go ahead and except it. However, the second firm I had the phone interview with the prior week is a stronger firm, 20-25min closer to home (easily) and would most likely pay more/more client interaction/better experience.

Lets say I get a call from the "2nd larger firm" by this Friday, but my Interview with the "1st, smaller boutique" is Wednesday and I get an offer from "1st smaller boutique" before my second interview for the "2nd larger firm" - if you were in my situation (BTW, a friend got me the interview at the "1st firm" - would feel shitty reneging, but you also have to lookout for your future) what would you do? -

A.) Accept "1st smaller boutique," be happy and grateful, and kick ass at the "1st smaller boutique" - let "2nd larger firm" know you accepted an offer somewhere else

B.) Accept "1st smaller boutique," LET "2nd larger firm" know I have another offer BUT "2nd larger firm" is by far my first choice and ask them if I could come in and interview sooner (because obviously it would be one fucking hell of a gamble to turn down "1st smaller boutique" and risk not getting an offer from "second larger firm") - obviously involves reneging on firm #1 (shitty, especially considering I may not renege for a week or so after accepting)

C.) Decline Offer from "1st smaller boutique" with HOPES of getting offer at "2nd larger firm" (not really even entertaining this TBH but throwing it out there)

D.) Any other possible choices??

--should add that I have no clue if my start date would be the next week or weeks down the road for "1st Smaller boutique"

I guess this all really boils down to whether or not I should renege on firm #1 and if I get can firm #2 to speed up the process.

Thanks in advance, and PLEASE, if anyone has faced a similar situation, share what you did.

10 Comments
 

honestly, IMO they would be thinking "this non-target should be grateful to get any offer" and I think "mulling it over" would show that: A.) I'm unsure if I really want to do banking B.) I have another possible offer

both of which don't look great to them...

 

You're agreeing to commit a significant amount of time to this company for the foreseeable future, it's not in any way too much to ask for a few days to think it over, talk to your parents, etc.

I'm not 100% on this, but I think at this point in the process I believe your time spent worrying over which non-existent offer to take and writing essays on WSO could be better spent doing interview prep.....

 

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