Headhunters - Signing contracts

As an analyst, do you typically sign some type of contract with headhunters before working with them?

If you end up getting the offer and accepting it, how do they get compensated?

Thanks.

7 Comments
 

You owe nothing to headhunters and they also owe you nothing. You are just an instrument for them to get paid for closing the request - headhunters work for the company they are searching a talent for.

The only exception - companies (rare thing, in fact) which business is dedicated to founding vacancies for their clients-job seekers. These companies are not 'recruitment agencies' or 'executive search firms', and have almost nothing in common with them. Just do not get wrong about it

 

To answer your other question: no, you do not sign a contract with them.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

Est sunt omnis consequatur natus sunt et. Nobis dolorem est sit dolores voluptatem quod. Quia vel soluta ducimus similique aspernatur. Totam non eos voluptates maiores. Tenetur nulla vel voluptas voluptas amet eaque itaque. Nostrum ea nam minus quo possimus quia.

Quod quis assumenda enim est nemo aspernatur. Sit occaecati eum aut atque incidunt aut vitae.

"too good to be true" See my WSO Blog

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”