Is it okay to ask previous years bonus numbers when deciding between offers?

I am in the final stages of interviewing with two banks and there aren't enough data points for their bonus numbers in wso or glassdoor. 

Would it be okay to ask the HR once I get the offers, about an average range of bonus numbers paid out last year? Is it normal to ask that? Given that both the banks are pretty similar in terms of exit opps and work nature, comp could be a decision maker for me here. 

14 Comments
 

Look at the Arkensden report (sp?) and trawl through the general file on the drive to see if some enterprising analyst has already compiled the numbers (once found one from way back in our admin folder). Don’t ask HR

 

I think you should at least be able to ask them for the bonus target for your position...Perhaps someone could explain to me why this is not ok if you already received the offer.

 

Bonuses tend to be standardized across the street. I would absolutely not ask HR what bonus numbers paid out last year were. Please do not do this. Asking a target range is more acceptable, and they may or may not respond.

I would talk to Alumni from your University or ex-employees for intel. 

IMO, your just starting off your career. An extra 10-20K isn't going to move the needle in the long-run.

How will you ask both banks if you can only accept 1 offer?

 

Perfectly reasonable to ask HR about bonus target as someone else has already mentioned. Anytime I have interviewed, HR has almost always asked me bonus timing for the firm I was currently at as well as expressed bonus target for their firm.

Edit: However, whatever you do, do not mention why you want to know (i.e., you are trying to pick between two offers)

 

Bonuses as an Analyst literally do not matter and are set a a market rate +/- like $20K unless you're at some total ass shop. Who gives a shit. 

 

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