Once you sign the offer letter....

I assume your contract is like the majority of them are, and that is "employment at will", which means neither party is committed to anything. It's a different story that it can burn bridges and put a really bad reputation on you if you do something like that, and possibly cause your university career center suspend you from using their services, but legally, you're not committed to anything just by signing that letter.

where in the contract does it usually say "employment at will" -- which section?

Your contract shouldn't be that long that you can't find it, but probably something around the lines of "status of employment" or "termination of employment".

Oh sorry I thought that was the OP. I don't work in IB, I'm a senior in college but so far everybody with an offer from IB or S&T I know had a contract "at will". So I am assuming it's the case for most contracts. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Mine explicitly said that my employment was "at will", should be in the part about disputes and whatnot.

The reason I ask is I want to make sure that the form I sent in means that I'm in and there is nothing else I have to do to confirm. (I don't want to come April find out that I missed a form and I'm not employed!) So, below is what I signed.

Please confirm your receipt of this letter by kindly signing below and returning the original signed copy of this letter to X St., New York, NY 10020. We also ask that you send an extra copy via fax to X at (646) XXX-XXXX.

I accept the terms and conditions contained in this letter of employment: Signature: Date: Legal Name: Social Security #

I also called HR to personally confirm and I faxed and e-mailed the above form, which was at the end of my offer letter.

I'm confirmed and there is nothing left to do, correct?

If HR confirmed it, I'd assume you're fine.

Are you gonna work for SG Cowen? :)

I hope so, I just am wondering because it did not have alot of the language that you would expect with a formal contract. If anyone else could shed some light on the subject, that would be great. I'm probably overreacting, but I want to make 100% I'm not missing some crucial confirmation step.

T73 - right zip code, wrong firm ;)

Sometimes you have to sign non-disclosure of company information, benefits plan, termination of employment agreement, the actual employment agreement, offer acceptance letter, and/or some other stuff regarding taxation, other benefits, etc... But if you only had that one thing, sent it to them, and they confirmed they received it, you really don't need to worry about anything. I am sure they'd mention something if you missed anything...

hmm, i just don't think the "at will" statement is in there

though it does say that employment may be terminated by giving one week's notice or payment in lieu