Is it worth networking with headhunters?

Hello everyone,

I'm a US expat scheduled to start at a top-tier investment bank (GS/MS/JPM) in a top group in 2025. This position is based outside the US. My long-term goal is to transition into a MF PE role back in the US, since the PE space here is a lot less dynamic, with much smaller rollups and less activity.

Given that I will be working abroad, I obviously won't be contacted for on-cycle recruiting. As such, I am considering whether it might be beneficial to proactively network with headhunters in the US to put myself on their radar - maybe getting into off-cycle a bit earlier than otherwise.

Most of the advice I've received suggests transferring within my bank to an associate position in the US and then recruiting off-cycle, which seems to be a common path among people who I've networked with from my country who moved to US MF PE. However, I'm curious about the effectiveness of networking with headhunters while I'm abroad:

1. How effective can networking with headhunters be for someone in my position?
2. Are there specific strategies or tips for networking effectively from abroad?
3. Has anyone here successfully navigated a similar path or faced obstacles that I should be aware of?

I understand that it's a long shot, but I'm willing to put in the effort if it can significantly enhance my chances or accelerate the process. Do you think it’s worth the effort, or might it end up being a waste of time?