The moment Gatsby discovers Nick Carraway is related to Daisy, he employs Jordan Baker to act as an intermediary and request that Nick invite Daisy over for tea on his behalf. Gatsby has been waiting five long years to reunite with Daisy and even purchased a magnificent estate across the bay from her. His primary purpose for hosting elaborate summer parties was to attract Daisy, hoping that she would randomly attend one of them.

Initially, Nick is astonished by the modesty of the request and does not understand why Gatsby would not ask him directly. Jordan explains that Gatsby does not want to impose in any way but wants Daisy to see his house, which is next door. Nick graciously accepts Gatsby's request and invites his cousin; he even makes sure to tell Daisy not to bring Tom.

At the beginning of chapter 5, Gatsby stops over to visit Nick before Daisy arrives to thank him for the favor. Gatsby proceeds to offer Nick a business opportunity in gratitude for arranging a meeting. He does not give specific details about the business opportunity but refers to it as a "confidential sort of thing" that can earn Nick a decent bit of money. After Nick politely declines the offer, Gatsby assures him that he "wouldn't have to do any business with Wolfshiem."

Gatsby's business proposal is more than likely illegal and connected with his underground bootlegging business. Because Gatsby refers to Meyer Wolfshiem and describes the shady business venture as a "confidential sort of thing," Nick realizes the gravity of the proposal. Nick also considers Gatsby's job opportunity as "tactless" and tells him that his hands are full.

Jay Gatsby is in love with Daisy Buchanan. After learning that his new neighbor, Nick Carraway, is Daisy's cousin, Gatsby decides to make good use of the rather naïve young man to help him reconnect with Daisy. He asks Nick to host a tea party and invite Daisy without telling her that Gatsby himself will be present. Nick hesitates but agrees.

In gratitude, Gatsby makes Nick two offers. First, he tells Nick that he would like to get Nick's grass cut for him. It is, after all, rather ragged, and Gatsby like to make a good impression. Second, he offers Nick a job of sorts. Nick isn't making much money just yet, for he is still new to his career of selling bonds, and Gatsby explains, "I carry on a little business on the side, a sort of side line," that he would be willing to bring Nick into. "It wouldn't take up much of your time," Gatsby continues, "and you might pick up a nice bit of money." It is, he finally adds, "a rather confidential sort of thing."

Nick may be naïve, but he isn't that naïve. He does not want to get involved with any of Gatsby's side lines one way or the other. He cuts Gatsby off with the comment, "I've got my hands full." He is "much obliged," he says, not wanting to appear ungrateful, but explains that he "couldn't take on any more work." Gatsby tries a couple reassurances, but Nick remains firm. He does not want anything to do with Gatsby's job offer.

In Chapter Five of The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby offers Nick a job. He is especially curious about Nick's financial affairs, and as Nick is setting up this secret rendezvous with Daisy under the guise of afternoon tea, it seems he is offering the work to Nick to show his appreciation.

“Why, I thought — why, look here, old sport, you don’t make much money, do you?”

“Not very much.”

This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.

“I thought you didn’t, if you’ll pardon my — You see, I carry on a little business on the side, a sort of side line, you understand. And I thought that if you don’t make very much — You’re selling bonds, aren’t you, old sport?”

“Trying to.”

“Well, this would interest you. It wouldn’t take up much of your time and you might pick up a nice bit of money. It happens to be a rather confidential sort of thing.”

Nick feels that it is a course of conversation best not pursued further, so he demurs, stating that he has too much work to do already, though he notes his appreciation for the offer.

In terms of Gatsby's business affairs, and the manner in which he has acquired his wealth, we learn:

Inherent in this dream, however, was the possibility of giving in to temptation and to corrupt get-rich-quick schemes like bootlegging and gambling.

In his offer, Gatsby mentions Wolfsheim, insisting that Meyer has no part in the opportunity he has mentioned to Nick:

“You wouldn’t have to do any business with Wolfsheim.” Evidently he thought that I was shying away from the “gonnegtion” mentioned at lunch, but I assured him he was wrong.

This is something that would concern Nick as...

Meyer Wolfsheim's enterprising ways to make money are criminal...

Nick, coming from the Midwest, is relatively innocent of the new circle of people in which he finds himself. His honesty and integrity color our perceptions regarding the characters in the story. Nick is the diving-rod that guides the reader in terms of characters who can be trusted and those who have few moral standards:

Nick is the moral center of the book.

Nick is a man who tries not to judge; he is humble in seeing how fortunate he has been, and understands that people can be very different. By following Nick, we get a clearer sense of who has an ethical base and who does not. Gatsby has not always had a sterling character, and even now all he does is for Daisy's approval. Nick is comfortable enough to be satisfied with what he has and who he is, and remains distant in terms of becoming involved with Gatsby in any of his "business ventures."