Recruiting after 3 months at new firm?
Started as an analyst at a private investment firm at the beginning of the year. The offer that I accepted didn't raise my base salary (75K HCOL), however, because people at my old firm were expecting me to leave, I decided that I had to accept an offer and leave my past firm at the beginning of the year. Went through interviews with mega-funds/dev shops, but no offer was extended in the end. (I did try and negotiate for higher pay with my new firm, however, as a smaller family office shop they weren't able to raise my offer - a bigger bonus and opportunity to move up was "promised")
Currently, many headhunters are reaching out to me with other acquisition/AM analyst roles in bigger institutional PE shops with salary expectations that are nearly 50% higher than what I am being paid right now. I am aware that pay shouldn't be the only deciding factor, but I can't help but feel regret accepting the offer as my pay essentially did not go up after working in the industry for about 2 years.
I do not want to ruin relationships with the people at my new firm as they do great work, however, I am currently thinking about going through the recruitment process with these headhunters. Has anyone ever seen somebody recruit out after spending such a short time at a firm and how would I even explain this short stint with hiring managers? Is this the right thing to do or should I try to spend a few more months at this new firm? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I’ve known people who left after only staying 1 month on the desk. Bridges will be burned but do what’s in your best interest, fuck what other people think.
Could be seen as would you rather have a million dollars now or a couple years later? It’s still one milli and I would rather have it sooner.
How did they justify leaving after one month on the job? I'm aware its looked down upon unless there is a legitimate reason for the exit.
I'd rather leave 1 month into the job then 8 months in, ya know?
1 month you just leave it out of the resume, 8 months you cant
In my opinion, if you leave a job after less than 4 months it's better to just leave it off you resume at that point and have a (less than) 4 month gap in experience on your resume. If you stay at the new job long enough then no one in the future will care that you have a short gap. You will burn a bridge with your current firm so that's one thing to consider.
Frankly, with that much of a pay delta at stake... I think you should think about money lol. Like most above said, you will burn the bridge, and you don't wan to make this a habit (I would also recommend just dropping this firm from resume if you jump). Since you are being pursued/headhunted, I don't really see much issue here as the hiring firm knows what's up and making it happen if they go with you (as opposed to you being "on the market" and applying and thus having to explain yourself).
The reality is that leaving usually burns bridges, and yeah they will be pissed at you, but it's your job, career, life.
So, bottom line, I'd take the calls and entertain the process. You don't need to be eager or aggressive, let it come to you, all these may end up nowhere. Also, I'd totally tell them "I am happy where I am, but I don't want to miss a major opportunity that I may be better suited for, but it would need to be very worthwhile for me to consider". Might as well play from strong suit if you're going to play at all!
Thank you this was very helpful - going to take your advice and entertain the calls as none of the positions are guaranteed anyways
Sry to hijack the thread - but any thoughts on how to explain during interviews why you're recruiting 2-3 months into a new job? More concerned with how this would affect my application than burning bridges.
Why no leave your current job off your resume?
Why are you applying/wanting to leave? I’d think you should be as honest as possible. Clearly, need to spin/position to put you in positive light, but trying to “game” this probably won’t help you.
Other advice, I’d probably bring up early in interviews (maybe even hint the explanation in cover letter…. If you are mature/savvy, you will know how to do this). Better you hit it fast, than wait for this to be thrown at you.
It is a tight labor market, so if ever a time this may work, it’s now.
Update: Decided to entertain the calls and ended up securing an offer - thank you to everyone that provided an input.
good for you! With a 50% increase in base on the line anyone would understand taking the opportunity
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