PE MF: Grab coffee to tell you you have been rejected?
Recently had a final round interview with a MF PE group. Killed it and feedback was great.
I am grabbing coffee with with at-least a VP but also potentially the MD who leads the group.
What I am about to ask will make me look extremely paranoid but trust that there’s a reason behind it. Has there ever been an instance where a PE group has asked you to grab coffee only to reject you in person?
I know it’ll be them extending an offer or telling me no (but I can’t confidently say which one).
Yes, it is possible. Something similar happened to a buddy of mine -- he wasn't cut on the spot but was shortly dinged after. Different situation, but their gestures made it seem like he was on track for the offer / making him do things you wouldn't do with someone you weren't planning to give an offer to, but he ultimately didn't get it.
Did you interview with these people during the process? If not, these could be final, informal interviews (maybe this is what you mean by a reason behind your paranoia). Of course, don't show up to the coffee chat thinking you have a job in hand because you received good feedback in your final interview. Don't let your guard down, but also remain confident.
I did interview with them - have met them a couple of times during the interview process. The MD runs the group and the VP leads recruiting for the group I believe.
I am going in with the mindset that they are meeting me to tell me no / say I am on hold or something. If they give me an offer then that’s a bonus but otherwise this way I am not disappointed.
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I’ve taken candidates who I’ve rejected out for coffee before - because I really liked them but for some reason (needed a person with more experience etc) had to go elsewhere, but wanted to keep the relationship strong for future hiring.
But in this case, I would tell them in advance and then offer up a coffee. It feels cruel to do a coffee meeting and then reject. That said, it could well be an interview in disguise.
I suspect this is what it’ll be. There’s one thing about my candidacy that makes me think they are going to say something along the lines of “we really liked you but because of X can’t hire you right now. Let us know when that changes and we can figure something out.”.
Could be an interview but I have already spoken to these guys before so wouldn’t make sense to interview with someone I have already interviewed with couple of times.
The only thing is it’ll get awkward if they say they can’t offer me - that’s essentially a 5 minute conversation that could take place over a phone call and would be less time than the waiter bringing the coffee so idk - hence why I am confused.
Give us an update after your coffee, best of luck
If it helps at all, when this happened to me, it was a final check the box for them to see how I behaved in a more informal setting (not an interview, perhaps more of what they can an "airport test"). I would approach this how you are so you don't get your hopes up, but don't come across too stiff either. Goal is to be someone they can see themselves wanting to work with / get along outside of the office, but not be too informal either (i.e. don't call them bro). I'm sure this didn't need to be said, but you'd be surprised...
Same thing happened to me when interviewing at my current firm. Was basically an "airport" test and I got a call 30min after that I was going to be getting the offer.
Can't imagine how bad someone needs to be to fail the airport test.
Just treat it as the final screening and don’t say anything negative about any other employer etc.
They might be testing you socially because you’re too cocky etc or similar things
Update: the meeting went well - got a conditional offer (pending on one thing that I said might derail it)! This was the best outcome I could have asked for given some things I need to navigate.
Congrats
Congrats man!
Nice!
Hell yeah, huge congrats!
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