Is this e-mail inappropriate?

[Juked07]

Dear [Interviewer],

Thanks a lot for speaking with me yesterday. I enjoyed our discussion about various securities, and found the math questions you asked interesting as well. I was especially impressed by your enthusiastic description of the depth of options mock trading you do to train your new traders.

I also wanted to write to ask a favor, and I apologize in advance if this isn't appropriate. I know [firm] is very, very competitive, but I thought our conversation went fairly well. You probably remember that I have an full time offer from [other firm]. While I am curious about seeing what other firms have to offer, I'm about 90% certain that I am going to accept my outstanding offer. I wanted to make sure that my interviewing with [firm] won't hinder the chances of other qualified applicants here at [school], especially one or two very talented friends of mine who are pursuing a position at [firm]. In particular, my friend [name] is extremely bright, hardworking, well spoken, and easy to get along with. I would strongly prefer not to continue with the recruiting process if there is any chance I would be "taking up" his spot in any way.

Thanks for your consideration,

 

[sjwaste]

Not inappropriate, but strange.

If you've accepted another offer, tell them. If you fully intend to accept, then do it, and then tell them. Then withdraw from OCI like the rules probably say you need to do.

Basically thank them for their time and let them know you've accepted another offer. If you haven't, there's a reason for that - so keep your options open until you do.

 

[Printer Bandit]

yes.

 

[her209]

Awkward....

 

[Juked07]

For clarification.. I haven't accepted the offer. I am very happy with it, but it doesn't expire for several months, so I thought it would be foolish not to be curious about what other options there are. I do prefer without a doubt that my friend get this opportunity rather than me, if it came down to it.

In this case would it be better if I just withdrew? My first round almost definitely went better than his, though he is very smart.

 

[guyver01]

Inappropriate? not really.... completely moronic and stupid.. yes.

Why are you offering a recommendation for someone else? They don't know you from a hole in the wall .. so building up your friend is meaningless.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Tell him you want to blow him. That would be inappropriate.

As for this e-mail? Why bother to send it at all?

 

[sjwaste]

Your friend has nothing to do with your job search, though. And trust me as a Class of 2009 law grad - offers dry up. NALP says firms have to keep them open for us until a certain date, but when shit hit the fan, that guideline went out the window.

If you have an offer you like on the table, take it. I'd let it ride only if you have an interview/callback with your #1 choice in the next couple of weeks. I would not let anything sit open, as no one is obligated to actually keep it open for you.

 

[Juked07]

@sjwaste: I appreciate the advice; you're almost definitely correct.

I only found out about my offer a short while ago though, and my offer letter has not yet arrived in the mail. I guess I'm just having a hard time deciding if I should withdraw from this interview process. I'll have a better idea after seeing the firm, but I think (maybe 75&#37 that even after final rounds w current firm that I would prefer my original offer. The idea of possibly screwing my friends over really bothers me.

 

[guyver01]

The idea of possibly screwing my friends over really bothers me.

then you might as well drop out of school, and go into flipping burger. ANY job you get will ultimately screw someone over. If you don't have the balls to accept a job offer... don't go thru the process. You have no guarantee they'd even consider your friend if you declined... in fact, if it was me... i wouldn't want anything to do with any student from that school if you're an example of what the school has to offer.

 

[Juked07]

then you might as well drop out of school, and go into flipping burger. ANY job you get will ultimately screw someone over. If you don't have the balls to accept a job offer... don't go thru the process. You have no guarantee they'd even consider your friend if you declined... in fact, if it was me... i wouldn't want anything to do with any student from that school if you're an example of what the school has to offer.

What? I have no problem accepting an offer. The situation is whether it's okay to take up interview time/slot when I already have another offer that I like.

 

[guyver01]

The situation is whether it's okay to take up interview time/slot when I already have another offer that I like.

Of course it's ok... it's called keeping your options open. Yes, you like the offer you have... but you might like the new offer better.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Wow that's really childish writing OP. Bizarre too.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

ABORT!

Do not send that email - do you think you are a better judge of candidates than your interviewers?

You sound like a douche and if this firm gets this email they may well contact the firm you did get an offer from and tell them your a moron. Highly unlikely they would do this to you but people at competing firms know each other.

You have no idea about your friends GPA, skill level, transcript, or interview skills. its kill or be killed in this world and you best man up and take every interview seriously and then decide whats best for you.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I think you would be a fool to hit the send button on that. I only see you ruining you and your friend's chances at that company if you do.