Offer decision HELP

I have two offers:

1) BB (BofA / Citi / Barclays) in NY

2) Jefferies in a regional office (not NY, SF, etc.)

Option 1 obviously gives me a great bank, a great location, and a strong resume boost.

Option 2 the people that I interviewed with were VERY cool, more easy going, and I feel like I am a great cultural fit. Additionally, lateraling wouldn't be hard from either spot, so I could always be flexible down the road.

How should I think about these two opportunities? I am torn between prestige and culture. The prestigious choice makes sense in my head (option 1) but the cultural fit choice feels better (option 2). Would also be making more and saving more with the Jefferies offer.

How tf do I make this decision?

 

Actually was in a very similar situation as you this recruiting cycle, and went with option 2. I can PM you if you want to talk.

 

Decision in my opinion isn’t between prestige and culture but between where you want to be. If you want to be in NYC take the BB offer, if you want to be in the regional city take Jefferson’s. If you don’t care what city then my advice is that going to NYC for IB at a BB will give you the best optionality post IB.

I will say that Jefferies is known to have longer hours and although you feel like the culture is good now I wouldn’t base my decision on a few interactions with their team.

 

Be careful about signing up for a 2yr commitment based on your interactions with a handful of people. Not saying that this Jefferies team is not chill, but I personally find it hard to believe you can accurately assess this just by speaking with people. Teams will always try to sell themselves, actually working there could be an entirely different story.

Without knowing anything else, I'd strongly recommend going for the NY BB offer. It is one of the best starts you can have for a career in finance. Plus, at a BB, each group has it's own culture. For group placement, find the group that you feel you culturally fit well with. 

 

Dolorem repellendus ut tenetur dolor nihil perspiciatis vero. Dicta ut excepturi ducimus molestias provident. Voluptates voluptatem adipisci eos ad dolores unde.

Modi esse autem dolor consequatur. Saepe repellat dolores dignissimos eum maiores nisi earum. Tempora maxime voluptas voluptas optio quam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”