Interviewing just for competing offers is rude in the first place. If there's a 0% chance you'll take the job, don't interview. You don't own that prospective e

Interviewing just for competing offers is rude in the first place. If there's a 0% chance you'll take the job, don't interview. You don't own that prospective employer anything, but interviews are handled by employees who have limited time and need their company to continue to succeed. Using a connection to get a competing offer is significantly worse. I don't think you should even ask. If your friend works at the company, you're basically saying, "There's no way I'd work for your company, but I'd like to use you (and your company) to further my own career." If your friend does not work at the company, you're asking them to spend their own personal capital on you, and they may not be able to use it again after you waste the company's time.