22 Comments
 

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.

 

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.

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 
"accountingbyday"

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.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers
 

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.

Swinging Through
 

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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Gotta Mentor Connect to the Advice & People You Need to Achieve Your Career Goals
 

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.

 

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