Accepting an offer only as a backup option?

So I have an offer to work for a pretty large boutique in the Philadelphia area as a junior broker, it's a pretty good offer and the firm has really good deal volume but Philly isn't a place where I want to be long-term. At the same time, I'm in the early stages with other firms in NYC and will continue to interview as we go into the spring (graduate in May). I feel confident in my chances with the firms I'm interviewing with and don't want to look like a dick when if I get an offer I really want and have to go back on the one I currently have.

6 Comments
 

I agree with what everyone said.  Sometimes shops need to be told their comp package is out of market.  You reneging on an offer will only help the next candidate that wants to be there.  Finally it is a employee friendly market, it is business not personal.  Maybe the CEO making $5-$20 million can take a 20k pay cut so an with graduate degree debt, that the principal never had to get to be qualified for his role, can eat and live in NYC/SF.

 
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