Interview with a headhunter?

Typically based on interest / motivation (since they are usually not well-placed to evaluate you from a technical perspective). If you're from IBD or ER, they will look for you to talk about modelling and valuation experience. Also talk about things like the books you have read, the blogs you follow, and personal investing experience whether real or virtual.

Walk through background, reasons behind those steps on the CV, why do you want to be an investor, why not some other sort of buy side role e.g. PE, do you personally invest, do you read relevant literature, talk through a deal you've worked on - sell side and buy side view, etc. In many ways it will mirror the content of a typical first round HF interview, except as waterpiper mentioned, minus the granular detail of deal-related points. The crux of the meeting is demonstrating that you have really thought about making the move properly, and that your motivations are right e.g. not just sick of doing banking, and furthermore, that you are good enough to make the transition.

Completely agree - especially on the "not some other buyside role" point, which is a common question - you should have solid reasons why you think HF is a better fit for you than PE. LIkewise on "not just sick of doing banking", where you should have broader reasons why buyside / investing is a better fit for you.

great comments guys very insightful

Just had 2. One asked me to run through a deal (HH was a former banker), the other just wanted to make sure i was a normal human being.

a lot easier than direct interviews. Their questions will obviously be much more qualitative than quantitative and it will probably be structured more as a conversation than a formal interview. Just be able to talk about your "story" and have some ideas on the type of position you'd like so you don't come across as lacking direction. One place had me take a finance test online to gauge my acumen but I get the sense that's more of the exception than the rule

The most important thing to remember is that the headhunter doesn't work for you. They work for the clients they are trying to fill jobs for. Just remember, if it's not you, it will be someone else. So be positive, engaging and make them want to place you.

Thanks everyone for the comments...very helpful!

hippiehappymonkeyI have an interview coming up with a headhunter. I'm a recent grad so don't really have work experience except for a few internships in the past. Apparently this recruiting firm places entry-level positions too. Since it's my first time working with headhunters and they potentially can help me in big ways, I'm looking for some insights here on what to expect, how to prepare, etc. Many thanks!

I've been to several so I can give you some pointers.

The typical interview is real laid back.. usually business causal (although it never hurts to wear a suit). It'll begin with the headhunter going over your resume and asking you what you've done at each job/internship. Then they will ask you what you are looking to get into. Usually whatever you tell them doesn't really matter, as they are going to automatically match you with a job that matches your experience. Very rarely will they have FO roles for temp jobs.

Some advice..

1) Be completely honest about your experience. Talking yourself up may be a plus with recruiters from banks, but a headhunter needs to know exactly what your background is. If you lie about your experience and it ends up showing in your interview with the actual company, the headhunter probably won't want to work with you again.

2) Have LOW expectations for your salary. If you tell them too high of a minimum salary you could miss out on a lot of GOOD opportunities that pay less. A lot of the time the best opportunities pay less, but have more potential. I personally tell them I have no minimum salary so I can hear about all the opportunities. Remember the point of getting a temp job isn't to make money; it is to get your foot in the door at a good firm/bank.

3) Ask them what their experience/story is within finance. A lot of times these headhunters have gone through the same as you have, so it's helpful to know what worked for them and what didn't. I've interviewed with numerous recruiters that have been ex-traders/brokers, etc.

4) Call them every Tuesday or Wednesday and ask them what kinds of opportunities are available. Typically this is when they are least busy and have the most opportunities available. Remember, they are working with LOTS of people so you have to make sure that your name is in the front of their mind all the time for opportunities.

5) Don't let 2 different recruiters submit you to the SAME job. For some reason most companies will automatically drop you from consideration.

Good luck.

If I had to guess, I'd say she probably wants to call you to discuss some positions at BWA

She? The general third person pronoun is "he." Come on.

helpmepleasethxI saw a job posting through my school's CS site for various jobs at Bridgewater Associates including: Business Analyst, Data Associate and Management Associate. I emailed my resume to what I assume is a 3rd party headhunter/recruiter (Elm Talent), I got an email from Elm Talent asking for a 30 minute phone interview to "discuss some positions at BWA." What does this mean? Anyone know what I should expect? I've read about the in person interviews here on WSO, but not sure what to expect with this type of call...

What happened from your call? How far down the process did you get? I received a similar request a week ago? What was your background before they reached out to you?

informal, want to see what you are interested in doing/how you present yourself/get a sense of your personality etc.

the glocap HHs seem to have all come from legit finance positions (banking/trading etc at BBs). SG Partners, not so much.

Just give them a call if they said 1-2 days (contact the firm directly).

Usually, I would say wait for around 1-2 weeks, but since they said specifically 1-2 days, you should be fine. You might be waitlisted

Normally, you would NOT go around your headhunter, except when there's an emergency, i.e. missing your appt start time, etc, but in this case, the firm said you would hear from them directly in 1-2 days? Sounds like a brain fart in that comment or there's a weak communication link between the headhunter & hiring manager. Alternatively, you might have been put in a holding pattern where you didn't make their A-list & they want to talk to other candidates. Just my two cents...