return SA offer... interview elsewhere despite return SA offer?

I have a return SA offer at a top BB in IBD (think MS, GS, or JPM). I liked my previous summer there a lot and probably want to return for another summer, although probably in a different group within IBD. Is there any reason to interview at other firms for SA in order to set myself up for FT?

Let's say I return to MS/GS/JPM and don't get a return full time offer at this firm or might consider working somewhere else FT. Am I better off having gone through the SA process elsewhere (even if I am accepted and decline) or is that unnecessary for FT recruiting?

7 Comments
 

Accept the offer and just say you want to work at another group. You'll be given priority on the top groups because they already know the quality of your work. The fact they gave you a return offer is a clear sign that you are on excellent footing to receive a FT offer. Unless you really, really want a specific bank interviewing elsewhere is unnecessary since you are already at a top BB bank. Remember the end goal of interning is to get a FT offer and it seems you're already well on your way.

 
bearingAccept the offer and just say you want to work at another group. You'll be given priority on the top groups because they already know the quality of your work. The fact they gave you a return offer is a clear sign that you are on excellent footing to receive a FT offer. Unless you really, really want a specific bank interviewing elsewhere is unnecessary since you are already at a top BB bank. Remember the end goal of interning is to get a FT offer and it seems you're already well on your way.

Agree on all fronts. If you interned as a sophomore within IBD they will be more than receptive if you want to switch groups within IBD for the junior internship (very common for soph. interns)

 

Definitely take the return offer. You can still network with people from other banks afterwards. There's nothing stopping you from talking to various people at the other banks saying "Took my return offer given the environment, but am still interested in your firm for the FT process. Can we talk/stay in contact?"

Most people will be very receptive. They have a strong candidate was has shown interest and is potentially poach-able from their competition later on. If you keep in contact, you are putting yourself in a great position for accelerated interviews after your junior SA internship.

 
Best Response

I agree with the above but I would say try to gauge how receptive they would be to switching first before you accept the offer assuming that they're completely ok with it. I was in the same exact situation a few years back but the BB I worked at (GS/MS/JPM) would not let me switch groups despite the fact that I had pretty senior people backing my decision. Needless to say I ended up interviewing and ultimately moving to a different BB (GS/MS/JPM) for the next summer and for FT.

I also know of someone who spent their sophomore summer in a pretty solid group (MS media and tel, GS Industrials / Healthcare) and who got moved to public finance for the next summer after requesting a move. All in all, I would just say try to get as much info as you can before making the choice.

 

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