Declining a Return Offer
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You could always just decline a FT offer (assuming you get it) and list "fit" as an issue.
Continue with the interview process as planned. Trust me, the boutique will survive.
For what it's worth, I had to take an extra semester when I was recruiting for my SA. I was interviewing for a commodities trading desk at a bank in Houston and the trader was telling me how it was a tight-knit operation, and they only planned to hire one or two SAs and convert them to FT, so they really wanted to make sure both the SA and the traders were a good fit.
Maybe it was a dumb move, but I told him I'd be taking an extra semester and therefore wouldn't be eligible for FT regardless. But, he then asked me what I was interested in doing, and I said I had always had an eye on equity derivatives - so he forwarded my resume and got me an accelerated interview with their derivatives desk in NYC with the MD. Being honest isn't always a bad choice.
This is certainly tricky, does your school's career center have anything to say on this? Is there any way you'd be able to pull off the year-early graduation still?
Accept it and then you'll solve it later.
I kind of think you should just continue with the process as planned. I don't advocate lying, but if circumstances change the firm will survive.
My bigger question is how did you think you'd graduate a year early and not understand what it would take to accomplish this? Were you just saying that you'd graduate early or did you have a concrete plan that for some reason fell apart? This is actually the bigger red flag to me.
This. Unless something crazy happened where the college changed requirements, this definitely reflects poorly on you. What you do is your choice, but I would be as transparent as possible in order to not give the appearance of dishonesty.
Take the high road and lie, lie, lie.
How to Professionally Decline a FT Offer from current Internship (Originally Posted: 07/21/2016)
Guys,
Currently interning in the workout group of a major bank and am almost positive i will receive a full-time offer.(Disclaimer: I really like everyone i work with and have ;earned so much. I just feel like my personality fits the IB mindset better) That being said i am STRONGLY considering pushing my graduation date back to Dec. 2017 so i can participate in summer 2017 recruiting for IB. Any advice on how to respectfully decline an offer of my current gig if i get one?
Thanks.
Why don't you just let them know of your plans and ask for a deferred offer or postponement of your decision? No point throwing away a solid offer. You seem very confident you will land an IB gig.
Declining Offer From Internship (Originally Posted: 10/02/2009)
After receiving an offer from an internship, and turning it down, how do you suggest I speak about that in interviews? Assume I can provide a solid answer as to why I did not want to go back.
Is it best to just talk up the experience as much as possible and let them ask why you didn't go back (if they care)? Or should I just be up front and tell the interviewer that I had an offer so they know?
Not sure how big of a deal this is, especially once I've already been invited to interview, but was curious for thoughts. Thanks.
Never bad mouth a previous employer. Talk about the stuff you learned and the good experience, but say how now you're looking for a firm/job that is more ______ (customize to whatever you're interviewing with).
1) I wouldn't bring up your other offer unless they ask (and they may ask why you aren't returning). Telling them about your offer off the bat may come off as sounding cocky.
2) As banker said, don't badmouth your previous employer. Instead talk about why the firm you are interviewing with is more in line with your interests or goals and why you would be a good fit there.
It always helps you if they know you had an offer to go back, the challenge is how you talk about that tactfully. It's easiest of course if they ask, but if they don't ask, it's still good to tactfully mention it. This isn't hard to do and they'll know you wanted to make a point of mentioning it, but it won't hurt you if it's in context to any number of questions they might ask you (tell me more about your project last summer, why are you interested in X sector, have you ever done Y analysis, etc).
Agree with the above. Never badmouth a previous employer.
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Turning down a return offer? (Originally Posted: 02/09/2011)
Hey all,
I have a return offer for this summer, but I'm not able to accept it... I loved the firm when I worked there last summer and I feel like I have a pretty solid relationship with my boss and most of the people who work there. I'm still young and would like to not burn any bridges by doing this, because I can see myself working full-time at this place one day.
What is the best way to approach this so I can leave on good terms?
Did you receive another offer or is it personal reasons?
Personal reasons.
Just explain them your reasons. No one will judge you for this and it shouldn't hurt you in the future when talking to them again about FT positions.
Agreed with SaberRider... if it were a matter of taking something else, maybe. But if it is for personal reasons that is understandable. Just let them know.
"Why didn't you accept your IBD SA's FT offer at end?" (Originally Posted: 09/14/2013)
How exactly would I answer this?
I was extended an offer, but frankly didn't want to continue working for that firm because their deal flow sucked and I don't see them as being a great place to start my career.
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