Hi all,
Recently started responding to headhunters (think CPI, Amity, HSP) who have been reaching out to me since I started my job at MBB. Is it normal for them to ask for references before even starting the PE recruiting process? If so, how did you guys go about this discreetly? Don't yet want to mention that I am considering other opportunities until I've landed an offer.
Thanks!
| +72 | Nothing to do at work & bored to hell | 5 | 23h |
| +58 | Do people over-index on 'moats' | 19 | 13h |
| +38 | Why is ROIC never really a topic when looking at companies IRL | 11 | 1d |
| +34 | Underrated MF/UMM Funds | 44 | 1d |
| +33 | Biggest (avoidable) failures in PE Investments? | 23 | 20m |
| +25 | Large Cap PE Value Creation vs RX shops? (Coming from McK) | 2 | 4d |
| +23 | SGE Final Round (Investment Summer Analyst) - Case Study & Technicals? | 8 | 11h |
| +18 | Senior IR Lifestyle | 3 | 3d |
| +17 | Special Situations | 4 | 5d |
| +15 | Predicted Net Worth in Trodden Finance Path by 60? | 5 | 29m |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
From my experience, I had a few headhunters ask for references before I actually started interviewing. I would say it was fairly common, but not the norm. I'm sure some other people might have had different experiences. I was at a BB, but was a part of a small, close-nit team, so I had the same concerns. Ultimately, I talked to one of my VPs who I really trusted and let him know what was going on. He served as my reference and I never had any issues.
I can't say for sure, but I would think it might be more important to have a HH talk to references for someone coming from a consulting background. I would think they may want some additional confirmation of your analytical abilities, since they would be recommending you to funds that are likely looking at bankers as well. If you have someone you trust, I would suggest having an honest conversation with them about their willingness to serve as a reference. I would go with someone mid-level like an engagement manager if you can.
Also HHs understand that your situation is likely sensitive. If it's too tough or risky for you, you can have that conversation upfront with your HH. I would be surprised if they pushed back too hard or dinged you purely on that. If that is the case though, I would suggest you still give them a few names, but say you would prefer to only have them contacted if you're a bit further along in a process.
I ended up providing names / contact info for references but made it clear to the headhunters that they should contact me before reaching out. In the end, none of the headhunters contacted my references until interviews started.
This is a pretty standard request (particularly coming from consulting) so I don't expect that you'd get any push back.
sometimes they use that list as referrals, and call them later on to 'explore' their career desires and gather further names. I've had that happen to references I've provided before. I hate hh with a passion, they are just a middle man that knows nothing of the actual role, and very unlikely they have ever done the role in PE, HF etc.
.
They don't really talk to the references unless you're real deep in a process (no point, wastes everyone's time). I just put the associates and VPs that I was friends with.
Do MBA Campus recruiters (consulting/banking/etc.) generally contact references? (Originally Posted: 03/23/2012)
Do recruiters from top firms who recruit applicants from top MBA programs generally contact those applicants' prior employment references? Also, if they do, do they generally just contact them to confirm the length of employment or do they ask more prying questions?
Interested.
Not sure.. I'd imagine they'd want to contact employer.. but since your MBA admission team had to do the same.. maybe not? Not too worried about it either way since if you got into an M7 you had to have good references from your prior employer... so what's the issue
Just wondering if I need to collect phone numbers/contact info of people who will still be at the firm a couple years down the road. During my undergraduate recruitment, none of the recruiters bothered with references. But when switching between jobs, I've noticed that some firms ask for many reference contact numbers and ask probing questions. Therefore, I'm wondering if the firms who recruit from MBA programs act more like those who recruit from undergrad programs, or more like those who recruit experienced hires.
Do PE/HF Recruiters reach out to the references you provide? (Originally Posted: 01/25/2015)
If so, do you have to ask them if you can use them as references in PE/HF recruiting? What can you do if it is generally frowned upon at your bank?
They usually only reach out if you're close to an offer (happened one time after I got an offer also). If you're far in a process, you should probably just ask that they give you a heads up before they reach out so that you can alert your references. This is why it's important to be on the good side of a couple associates/VP's.
What is the probability that the recruiter will ask for references/letters of recommendations for a position? (Originally Posted: 01/23/2018)
I didn't get to know my professors on a personal level in college so it would be hard to ask any of them randomly for a reference. Nor did I work during college so I don't have any employers to give me a reference. What is the probability that a recruiter will ask me for like 3 strong references/letters of recommendation when I didn't know anybody well. Is there a chance that I can get hired without a recruiter asking me for references and only require me to have a diploma?
Libero molestiae quasi nam qui. Natus et ipsa id enim est rerum. Consequatur libero accusantium tempora vel libero.
Ab quia quam est similique at optio sed. Aut et asperiores repellat qui. Inventore sed est perspiciatis consequatur earum adipisci ipsam maxime. Rerum id quia saepe qui sit dolores iusto voluptatem.
Et maiores qui eum magnam ullam pariatur. Dolorem sunt et amet impedit culpa sit rem quis. Fugit earum tempora quia dicta ut. Laudantium occaecati expedita atque ut et.
Placeat velit quia voluptatem et. Omnis dolorem veniam molestiae voluptas ut veritatis. Corrupti voluptatem ab quo nobis aut.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...