Bad intro call with HH for 27’
Was expecting a simple intro and the rest to be informational. Felt like a behavioral interview which I should’ve been prepared for but just got caught off guard and stumbled a bit. Feel as though I communicated my preferences well in terms of geography, sector, etc., but didn’t answer the behavioral/market questions very well.
Am I going to hear from this HH down the road for an interview or for opportunities?
Do they write candidates off this early based entirely on the intro call?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, headhunters (HHs) can be unpredictable, but here’s what you need to know:
First Impressions Matter, But They're Not Everything: While a poor intro call might not be ideal, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re written off completely. Headhunters are primarily focused on placing candidates who align with their clients' needs. If your preferences (geography, sector, etc.) match a future opportunity, they may still reach out.
Behavioral/Market Questions: Stumbling on these questions can hurt your standing, especially if the HH feels you’re not prepared or confident. However, if you communicated your preferences clearly and showed some potential, they might still keep you in mind for roles that fit.
Do HHs Write Candidates Off Early?: It depends. If the HH has a strong pool of candidates and you didn’t stand out, they might deprioritize you. However, if they see potential or if you’re a good match for a specific role, they may give you another chance. Building a positive relationship with the HH over time can help mitigate a rocky start.
Next Steps:
Remember, HHs are ultimately incentivized to place candidates, so if you align with a role, they may still come back to you despite a less-than-perfect intro call.
Sources: Are you interviewing with any other banks/firms?, Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, Fit/Behavioral Interviews - A Crash Course, Don't get OfficeHours., Why does it feel so weird to make an "ask" at the end of a informational interview?
Wouldn't stress too much. Obviously not ideal, but if you still have a solid bank, deal experience, GPA, school, etc. you won't be written off completely. Odds are, you would be in the "middle" bucket for a headhunter. Feel free to DM for more specifics, would love to hear more about the specific questions you got asked and can help you brainstorm answers to them.
I'm compiling a guide of more specific headhunter questions and would be happy to help.
Which headhunter is this,I had a similar experience with CPI
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