Going around headhunters

Advice on whether it is appropriate to engage directly with a company based on the following sequence of events:

  • Headhunter tells me about a role (among others)
  • Nothing comes of it (they never confirm whether they send my resume over or not)
  • Company with role open posts a public job posting for role
  • I re-email headhunter about the role (don't mention public job opening but mention interest and that I can get a referral by 2nd degree connection)
  • No response from headhunter

I've done all I can to go through the headhunter at this point, and should apply for the job directly before the posting disappears, right?

I understand that in normal circumstances going around a headhunter would get you blacklisted but just curious here. Thanks!

2 Comments
 

If its a public job posting and you can get a referral I'd say it's all fair game

 

Corporis atque adipisci repudiandae id. Sed incidunt dolorem quidem optio voluptas ut ipsum. Officia magnam quos asperiores optio repellendus voluptatem. Sed qui quaerat quae voluptas aut dolores. Culpa illo quaerat numquam laboriosam eos. Rerum quisquam quia mollitia ut sit repellendus. Ut occaecati accusamus atque aliquid eius aut harum.

Eum dolorem aut et. Laudantium ut atque vitae illo dolores. Earum debitis aut quo velit sed dolore officia. Aut corporis quos sed quo sed repellendus sit.

Quasi non dolor temporibus. Sapiente earum quis quos sed quia. Officiis atque tempora culpa pariatur provident mollitia.

Vero et cumque unde reprehenderit. Magni dolor et ut repudiandae consequuntur necessitatibus minima. Porro non adipisci natus aut voluptas aliquid.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”