2 Phone Interviews Same bank Different Positions, What should I do?

Hey guys I need some help in analyzing this situation and coming up with right move. So I had a phone interview with the hiring manager last week regarding a position in commercial banking and he won’t get back to me till next week because he’s on vacation. Today I got a call from a recruiter from the same bank for a completely different position in a different sector. I don’t want to hurt my chances getting called in for an interview and playing both sides of field especially since it’s the same bank what should I do? Thanks in advance!

 

When I was in school there used to be certain banks interviewing for a bunch of different positions in adjacent rooms on the same day. You'd probably, for convenience, schedule them back-to-back, so they'd often see you walk out of another interview into theirs.

If they ask, tell them that this postion is the one you really want. If they don't ask, don't worry about it.

 
Tar Heel Blue:
If they ask, tell them that this postion is the one you really want. If they don't ask, don't worry about it.
The only problem with that is that HR from the same firm inevitably talk, and at a day-long event like the one you described, will talk together between or after interviews. Telling them both the same thing is a great way to fail.

There's nothing wrong with exploring different roles within the same firm, particularly if you spin it as being committed to that firm but doing your best to find your niche.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

Yeah. I had superdays in different divisions with the same firm in the same month in the same accelerated process. It's not normally a red flag.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

As long as you are prepared to answer a question that demonstrates a genuine interest in both, I don't think it should be an issue.

If anything you could spin it as you're interested in finance but not exactly sure what you want to do; however, you really like the people and the culture at the firm, which is why you applied and are lucky enough to be interviewing for both.

 

Instead of posting on this online forum, you would be better served to let the other group know about your situation and see what they think. Most likely, they will have no problem with you interviewing with multiple groups, it's a free country and you're trying to get a job. Just make sure you let them know now and be professional instead of blindsiding them 3 weeks from now when they give you an offer.

 

If you filled out the same application with teh same details it should be fine.

If on the other hand you used a different email address to apply for the other position theyw ill probably find out. Then they may kick you out of the process.

 
runtothehills:
If you filled out the same application with teh same details it should be fine.

If on the other hand you used a different email address to apply for the other position theyw ill probably find out. Then they may kick you out of the process.

Yeah but I am saying is it bad to tell both groups that you want to interview with them? Like especially if you are getting the interviews through contacts?

 

I would say if you have contacts at both....interview with the group you want most first. Then, wait a few weeks and try the second group. This could add a little more credence to any story you have of why you're interviewing for both (and give yourself the best chance at your #1 choice).

 

most banks want you to pick soley one area. they want you to know where you want to work (regardless if you worked there yet) and the exact position and why. by you showing you want to work in two areas, it may be seen as a negative. again, it depends on the culture of the bank.

 

some BB firms are cool with you're interviewing for different positions. Citi is one of them i believe. if you're going to interview in different areas at other firms you need to be forthcoming with the information as they will find out eventually. you would also need a good story as to why.

i'd stay away from it and if you can't make a decision interview IBD at one firm, and S&T at another.

 

Definitely don't lie about having interviews with the firm's other groups/offices. There's no need to feel like getting interviews with all 3 groups is wrong in any way. It would be very easy to get caught in the lie. They may compare interview schedules beforehand, talk about the people they've interviewed when they're having lunch, or see you in the waiting area. In fact, getting invited to interview by other offices at the same firm makes you seem even more like a very hot prospect.

If the interview(s) are going really well, they may ask where else you are interviewing. In that case you can tell them you're talking to a few of the other offices about the same position. Don't volunteer this information otherwise because you'll look obnoxious.

Don't tell one office that they are your first choice unless you want to immediately kill your chances with the other offices. Focus on selling your skills & experience as a candidate for that position. Make sure you've got your story about why you're a great fit for the job and avoid these very common mistakes: Interview Mistakes Bright People Make - http://bit.ly/il1aV. If you make it to the next round with 2 or more of the offices, they'll start to switch to sell mode and you can figure out which office might be best for you.

Good luck

Gotta Mentor Connect to the Advice & People You Need to Achieve Your Career Goals
 

I'm in the same situation.. but my friend told me that he couldn't have 2 superday interviews with both IBD and S&T. Apparently, S&T wanted him but IBD wanted him more, so S&T MD couldn't do anything about it. Is this normal?

 

Does anyone know whether each group sends rejection emails separately? I just received 2 identical rejection emails, but they didn't specify the group name. Does that mean the 3rd one is still pending?

 

Don't read too much into it and just wait and see -- divisions have different recruiting schedules so it's safe to assume they are still deciding.

For future reference, if you don't know what part of the bank you'd like to be in, a negative effect of applying to all positions is that you will look unfocused. And especially in this market where some applicants are dead sure of what they want, recruiters will more often than not choose someone who is qualified + a good fit over someone who is qualified + not sure of where they fit.

Take this with a grain of salt. If you do well at two or more interviews at the same bank, the recruiters of all divisions will commonly talk and decide where you fit in best.

 

Similique quia modi aperiam vel in. Illo qui ea eveniet modi dolore eius incidunt. Vero velit porro et quas.

Quibusdam reiciendis dignissimos et occaecati cumque iure. Sint est dolores sint eveniet. Ab earum autem cupiditate quia iste. Animi aperiam corporis esse. Saepe qui et magnam eum. Et rerum tempora est dolor minima eum. Itaque voluptatem consequatur cum labore dolorem commodi est.

Labore eum nesciunt necessitatibus aut debitis. Minima nisi perferendis vero consequatur repellendus voluptatem ullam. Praesentium voluptatem eum debitis et voluptatem tempora ut. Perferendis et autem voluptas exercitationem modi iure.

 

Enim enim sint eos ut laboriosam. Qui maxime et id voluptatibus labore.

Quas hic maiores molestiae vel ut et qui. Rerum eligendi rem enim minima dolor facere aliquam. Quia ducimus accusamus vero fuga laborum itaque provident.

Alias architecto dignissimos ullam sit numquam. Odio accusantium necessitatibus magni optio ab praesentium et. Voluptatem adipisci et dicta veritatis numquam ratione. Qui corporis qui quisquam nihil voluptatum voluptatem quae. Labore molestiae inventore non rerum aspernatur. Rerum error perferendis exercitationem et sed omnis et temporibus. Aut saepe adipisci deleniti.

Ut in deserunt ipsa laborum amet quia voluptas. Et sapiente et modi ut placeat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”