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!
Are you saying you're too good to be dealing with a lowly fucking associate from the fund's recruiting department?
Yes, I know it came across as arrogant but I am half joking and half serious.
Pissed because he thinks my questions would be simple enough that even an associate can answer them...
I’d encourage a little perspective: yes it would have been nice to meet with the partner, but he also could have ignored or stiff-armed you instead of doing the redirect. You still have a foot in the door here and an opportunity to continue the conversation with the firm, which I’m sure isn’t true for everyone who cold-emails the guy.
Thank you, I am aware that not all is lost yet, but I guess my concern is how do I impress someone like that on a call? I think with headhunters it’s different because they are driving the conversation. I’m comfortable moving the convo forward with an investment team member but not sure how to proceed with an internal recruiter
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.
Cheers. Should I ask the internal recruiter what are my chances of getting an interview and if there’s anything I can do from my end to improve my chances? Maybe I can send in a couple of sample memos I wrote independently ?
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?
I see - kudos on the initiative / cold email, I respect that.
Frankly I hank it's just a numbers game - this firm might just not be hiring right now. Btw if you've spent 5 years in the same industry what's the motivation to move? If you share a summary of your cold email I could perhaps give some suggestions.
Commodi sed ut quis asperiores iusto aut esse. Sed est id vero deserunt et. Soluta itaque alias quas perspiciatis ratione enim.
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