Had a chat with a headhunter about a PE opportunity. I thought the firm was perfect but the strategy of the team that was recruiting was the wrong fit for me.
How do I best say no to this opportunity but keep a good relationship with the headhunter for futures roles? Should I be more specific about why I think opportunity is a bad fit or just keep it vague?
| +87 | Drunk VP. How to manage? | 28 | 21h |
| +57 | Who is the final boss in Houston Energy? (GS, JEFF or EVR) | 10 | 3h |
| +54 | [2026 - October] Unbiased Prestige Rankings | 22 | 13m |
| +44 | Lazard US Views 2026/2027 | 16 | 19h |
| +40 | McK vs A&M Offer Decision | 22 | 57m |
| +39 | Moelis PCA vs Lower tier BB Coverage | 24 | 5h |
| +37 | Tomorrow Will Be Better | 5 | 1d |
| +36 | Why Do We Turn Comments? | 5 | 1h |
| +22 | UBS’s Investment Bank Is Building an AI Slop Factory | 2 | 1d |
| +21 | How early is to early? | 9 | 2d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
You can never so no to headhunters or you will be blacklisted, sorry, but you have to go full throttle down this interview process.
I mean i dont know if youre joking or not, but this was literally a quick call to discuss the opportunity and we were going to follow up later on it.
Im just messing with you dude. Sometimes I can’t help myself with some of these questions.
it’s a head hunter not an important principal at KKR.
make any excuse you want or simply tell the truth. He cold calls hundreds of people a week, he’s not going to black ball you for saying you’re not a good fit.
ah cool, got you! Sorry it just i've only just started getting good traction wtih HHs so didnt really know the best etiquette!
thanks for the help!
Just say that after doing some more research, you don’t think this is a fit for you. Can include a point or two why after that. Then say you appreciate them sending the role to you and you look forward to hearing about new roles.
Very simple, don’t overthink it.
This is the right response
Ipsum soluta placeat inventore omnis. Vel voluptatem quos cupiditate dignissimos cupiditate mollitia. Quidem et fuga eum earum sed.
Nihil aut voluptas omnis optio assumenda. Aut vel quasi ab nam. Qui ea impedit fuga voluptatem.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...