Reneging an IB SA offer has been well-covered on the forums, but what about reneging after signing a PE associate offer? Will you be blacklisted by the respective Headhunter? Has anyone been through this before, or is this a huge no-no?
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Yes, you’re done with that particular firm and the HH for at least a bit, unless you’re an outstanding candidate and / or have a VERY good reason to renege. Good thing here is that there are way more PE funds and HHs than there are banks, so your long term prospects are fine. Also, presumably you are reneging because you got a “better” offer….in which case it’s a moot point for the next two years anyway.
If you have a valid reason and do it in the right (well in advance and tell the headhunter first), then there’s no repercussion other than you’ll never work at that firm.
HH have no issues filling spots for decent funds, if anything they see the renege as an opportunity to get twice the fees (get to fill your open spot + they know you can get offer and could potentially place you somewhere else)
Can you elaborate on what you mean by valid reason?
A HH is not going to place someone who reneges on their client. Their loyalties are to the client and the last thing they would want is for you to renege on another one of their clients.
You can renege, do what you gotta do for yourself.. but you can't think for one second anyone involved is going to want to work with you again
I mean I’m speaking from experience… I reneged and same HH placed me.
Do you still get to work with the same headhunter? Say 2 years down the line?
2 years down the line no way. As a midlevel/senior maybe
Do you think the PE shop will think twice about firing your ass if they needed to for whatever the reason might be?
Should answer OP's question.
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