What to do when a recruiter leaves you hanging?

Fellow Monkeys,

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on pursuing an opening when a recruiter leaves you hanging? After several successful conversations I was told my profile would be forwarded for consideration. Several weeks have passed and multiple attempts to follow up have gone unanswered. Is it a bad idea to attempt to bypass the recruiter and try directly with the firm?

Thanks everyone.

8 Comments
 

I had similar thoughts, I've been in this situation before and I at least get a response saying they took a pass on my profile.

 

Doesn’t hurt to follow-up with recruiter or speak directly with HR, assuming you already have a contact there. It probably won’t lead to the answer you want, but as long as you’re respectful, it couldn’t really hurt either.

 

@"Blueapple" I was given the bio of the people at the firm responsible for the posting from the recruiter, so in that sense I do have their contact information. My concern was jeopardizing the relationship with the recruiter and through that the relationship with the firm.

 

Recruiters suck and do it all the time. I've had recruiters push me for roles which I'm assuming I was passed on and never hear back. Then 2 months later they reach out for another role. It doesn't mean anything other than they don't want to waste their time.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

Quite familiar with that problem - just hang in there. There could be a couple reasons for why this is happening- (i) the guys at the fund are probably busy with a deal and so recruiting's taken a backseat (most probable) (ii) the fund's decided to hire at another level (i.e. senior associate as opposed to associate, this actually happens an incredible lot); or (iii) the headhunter simply went ahead with candidates whose profile better suited the fund. Either way if you've pinged the headhunter once, just fwd the same email to her again. Great if she gets back but if she doesn't. candidly there's a very small chance there's actually a position and you're still in the running for it.

 

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