Mentioning Significant Other in Interview?

So, I'm looking for some advice for my on-site interview next week. I've been going back and forth in my head on whether or not to mention that my girlfriend lives in the city I'm interviewing in and that being one of the drivers that led me to apply to the firm I'm interviewing with. Any thoughts?

To give you some background, it's a Corp Fin role at a F500 company in the south (think: Charlotte, Richmond, etc.). I genuinely think the role/ company would be a good opportunity for employment, but the fact that my gf (of 4 years) lives in the city is definitely driving my relocation efforts. I have a good network of friends in the area, but no family. I'd be moving from the NY metropolitan area to the south, so I think the question of "why [this city]?" is inevitable. I'm worried that the 'GF card' might raise some red flags, even if I articulate all the other reasons I want to work at the firm. As an additional caveat, my gf's father works at the company but is not involved with the group I'm interviewing with, but is my 'reference' for my application.

IMO I have three options: 1) Completely avoid the topic 2) Don't mention it up front, but if it comes up naturally go along with it 3) Be upfront about it

Anyone with experience in this situation have some advice?

7 Comments
 
Best Response

When the question comes up, don't make it the main reason obviously, but would definitely mention it to underpin your commitment to moving city. Would suggest something like "I see great potential in this city at a professional level for X, Y and Z reasons. But on a personal level my girlfriend and some family live here, so it would be a great opportunity for me to get closer to them in the longer term." and thereby show you have a long term commitment to the role.

 

I would definitely say something along the lines of closer to family instead of girlfriend if that's the only reason you want to move to that city.

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier
 

Reiciendis voluptatem magni tempore aliquid soluta quod. Ut earum adipisci ut autem maiores natus quia. Pariatur id non incidunt quos labore.

Aut consequatur necessitatibus qui explicabo ea. Deserunt optio dolore est id veniam praesentium odio veniam. Non quibusdam aspernatur quo ut ut. Omnis excepturi sapiente consequuntur qui molestias ipsa. Provident molestiae id accusamus id dolor.

Expedita dolores atque voluptatem voluptate natus necessitatibus. Rerum veritatis nam minima at autem possimus voluptatibus.

Et facere ut dolorem consequuntur repudiandae non. Cumque tempore aperiam architecto reprehenderit rerum. Minima autem sit et qui. Ea molestias unde quos aut doloribus. A quo autem ut deserunt odit dolorem. Deserunt earum perferendis laudantium beatae.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”