How to phrase no return offer

Hi all, Did a S&T internship at a BB but did not receive a return offer. Was very clear why: I was not enthusiastic about the job (very true). Not upset other than the fact I have less leverage for FT recruiting. Question: I've heard that, if in interviews, if they don't SPECIFICALLY ask if I received a return offer, I don't necessarily have to state that I didn't. I've had a few phone calls where they ask "how'd it go, or how'd you do" and I say I had a great experience and learned a ton, but am interested in xyz because... If I go through the whole process without ever explicitly stating my offer status (unless of course directly asked) would that count as lying?

Thank you all

6 Comments
 

Also, another part of the feedback included lacking some technical skills (which for me was due to my lack of interest). If I phrase my lack of an offer, or dance around the question focusing on cultural fit, will they ever go back and ask my office what the "real" reason was and have that pointed out of me?

 

It's definitely not lying if they don't ask you. There's no reason you would ever have to state you didn't get a return offer (unless asked). But I think there's a good chance you'll probably get asked.

Unless it's at the same bank, I doubt they would go to your BB and say "Hey, can you clarify why this kid didn't get a return offer. He says it's because of a cultural fit." But, if you do lie and say you got a return offer, I think it's possible that they find out. I could be wrong with these two points, so maybe someone else could be a bit more helpful here.

 

A BB won't disclose why they didn't extend you an offer, that's a huge liability that most corporations steer clear of. They might disclose if they did or did not give you an offer, so definitely don't lie, but you can embellish on the reason.

Just know that your interviewer is going to assume that you are putting your rejection in the best possible light and will discount everything you say. So make sure you're giving a very good excuse for why you didn't get an offer..

 

Et ad recusandae illo dolorem. Explicabo nihil facere nam eius explicabo. Modi in sint quia sed odit. Voluptatem eum nulla totam officiis. Laudantium quia facilis beatae. Consectetur labore vel fugiat et et.

Itaque quos quia accusamus est explicabo distinctio. Laboriosam laudantium magnam eos iusto laborum et eveniet earum. Ea fugit eaque suscipit ratione non et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”