Question about accepting an interview

So I got three front office roles interested in me at same company. But my naive mind applied to compliance roles at same company to play it “safe” in case I was delusional about getting a front office role. 
 

so this compliance role reached out with interest, but it’s not in a prime office, but it’s better than my current job. 
 

so should I accept the interview? Or should I say no, and work hard for these front office interviews? Because I heard HR sometimes lies to other groups that ive already accepted an offer from a role I interviewed if they do give me an offer. So naturally the other groups that have interest in me will choose someone else Bc they think I accepted an offer from someone else already. When in reality I haven’t made a decision yet. 
 


 

I personally believe if you chase two rabbits at the same time you won't get anything so I would focus only on the front office roles. Interview prep is exhausting especially if one is something like one is for S&T and another is for IB. So I would put all my focus on those (as you don't want to look back and regret not preparing more) as that is what you are striving for, so don't waste your time with positions you wouldn't feel fulfilled with. However, if you would feel fulfilled in this compliance role and you are allowed to interview for as many roles as you like at one firm then I would do those interviews as any improvement is always better than none. Just be transparent with HR if you are ever on a call with them.

 

HR will always lie. This role in compliance is better, but it’s not fulfilling. I would just use it as a stepping stone to business school. But if I’m not fulfilled in the role, I prob won’t be energized to study for GMAT. 
 

but you’re right. I should put more of my energy into the front office roles. I think I will reject this compliance interview. 
 

here’s a reason why I should accept the interview though: this role is a compliance role that directly vigilates one of the front office roles I have an interview for. So when I go to the front office role interview, I will know what their policies are compliance processes are, and they’ll be like, wow she adds value here because she knows all of our rules.

But there’s a chance HR will lie and screw me over if I get a job offer from this compliance role first. 

 

So if it's IB, they won't care about that. They only care if you can model and use PowerPoint effectively, However, for S&T, I have no idea if that's a value add (it perhaps is).

I feel like your mind is already kind of made up, that you want to take this interview so I say why not. HR sucks, but from my experience, they won't deceive you/the firm into putting you into a position especially if you have communicated to them that you are interested in other positions at the firm. Mostly because usually there are dedicated HR/recruitment staff for front office roles so it probably won't be an issue. If you are worried about it, just make it clear that those front office roles are your top choice/best suited for you, and if you networked, just ping your connection and keep them updated on what's happening/avoid confusion.

 
Most Helpful

Mind isn’t made up at the moment. I think there are strong arguments for both 

accepting pros:

- more knowledge about that front office space and compliance rules i Probably don’t know about for that space 

- interview practice 

accepting CONS: 

- interview practice but my audience is different for front office and so I have to focus on different skills 
-Chance of HR deceiving me (they have a history of doing this) because they want this compliance role to be filled and they could forfeit my chance in the front office role 

- I could explain this to the front office connection I have for the Role, but when I explain the situation, he will believe I’m a deceiving person because I’m taking an interview without genuine interest 

 

Those are all fair points!

Me personally, I would only focus on the front office positions (assuming that you are 100% sure you will get an interview) but I have 0 interest in compliance which might be an interest to you. I'm not a risk-averse person, I believe in going all-in if it's something I really want to do. You end up with nothing but at least you tried.

To me, compliance seems like a role that you will always be able to find at banks but the front office isn't. You usually don't get many chances at a front-office role especially if you come from a non-traditional background.

Of course, this is just my opinion

 

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