2 Final Interviews: Commercial banking vs. Equity Research

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a little bit of advice, I'm a recent graduate and currently interviewing for my first FT job. My internship experience was mostly buy-side ER and I really enjoyed it and could see myself going forward in either the buy or sell side. I have 2 final round interviews one is a sell side ER position in Ohio and the other is a commercial banking role w/ a very small bank Texas(~$400mm assets).

The commercial banking interview is tomorrow, while the ER interview day still hasn't been set.

This commercial banking position seems pretty interesting as the majority shareholder of the bank is a CEO of a local hedge fund and the position has the opportunity to lead into a position at the hedge fund after 2 years in the CB role. The pay they say is more senior than typical commercial banking roles w/ opportunities for 2 bonuses a year. I've never really saw myself going the commercial banking route as I've been doing ER internships most of my college career.

The sell side position seems like a great opportunity too, the shop is growing fast and I can really see my self going down the equity research path. The problem is the firm knows I'm interviewing w/ this bank but they don't know when exactly they'll have me in for the interview day as they're not sure which teams will need an associate quite yet.

The question I have is what should I do if the bank gives me an offer before I can get in to do the final interview for the ER position, because I know I won't be able to go more than a week with an offer before they expect an answer, and I don't want to pass up on the only job offer on the table in hopes to maybe get an offer for a position I don't even know when I can go in for the final interview.

Anyone been in a situation like this? Appreciate any advice.

Thanks

 

Hey,

Congrats on the two interviews.

If you do get an offer from the commercial bank, I would ask for a time frame and immediately get back to the ER shop with the news. If you really want the ER position better and email them stating u do have an offer, they'll prob make a move. If they don't however and have the offer from the commercial bank, just take it.

Best of luck

 

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