Partner Connected me with recruiter (WTF?!)

Hey guys, so I reached out to a partner at a respectable PE fund to learn more about the firm and its strategy. He got back to me saying that he'd forwarded my resume and someone would get back to me with feedback. A bit over a week later, an Associate from the TALENT mgmt team at the Fund wrote to me and said that he'd be happy to answer any of my questions over the phone.

To be truthful, I am a little frustrated by this. I have 5 years of experience across PE and IB, and went to a top target school for my MBA. This Associate from the talent management team is only four years out of undergrad and has been at the fund for about 3 years now. How can I salvage this stupid situation to at least get an interview at the fund (which would be my dream job)? What kind of non-recruiting related questions can I ask this Associate? I am really clueless here, and would most appreciate any insight on my situation.

Thanks!

15 Comments
 

Haven't been in this position so take it with a grain of salt, but I'd treat them like a headhunter. Talk to them about what you're looking for and either there's something now or in the future that could be a fit or there isn't. Since they are internal and essentially only have one client, I would expect this person to have a little more depth on the fund's processes / strategies than your average headhunter.

 

Hey OP, your label reads "prospect" but I'll give you the benefit of doubt and assume that's just outdated.

To be really frank though - if your chances were high or if you really impressed the partner he would have taken the time to speak with you directly. Chances are he wasn't as intrigued as you thought, or they aren't hiring and he didn't want to be rude / just brush you off - so he's routed you to HR.

I think it was polite of the partner as he could have just ignored you - but I'd continue my search and reach out to other firms if I was in your shoes.

 

Thanks for your response. I’m not a prospect and I agree that I need to move on. I had sent the partner a cold email. My background is more prestigious than some of the associates / senior associates currently employed there plus I have an mBa. My question to you is how can i favorably position myself for an interview at the firm? As someone above you pointed, ppl don’t waste time speaking with prospects if they don’t think you’d be in the mix at all, right?

 
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