Recently got my first call at work from a headhunter. I'm sure this gets annoying as hell when it happens more frequently, but it was funny to be on the other end of the table and have someone interested in recruiting me rather than me trying to be recruited. I realize I'm just a name on a piece of paper that they probably have very little background on and by no means am being offered a job, but interesting nonetheless.
Just curious, for those of you with a few years of work experience in, how do you see people handle these? Call back when they're out of the office I would think? Also, whatever firm the headhunter is trying to hookup can't honestly be very legit can it? If its a solid name, they've gotta have stacks of resumes of adequately qualified candidates, on top of connections people at the firm have.
If anyone has insights/stories to share on the subject, I'd be interested to hear. Not really looking to jump ship at the moment, but never hurts to be aware of other possibilities.
interested too...for down the line
If it's not kosher to talk to them at your desk, then just take a break and call them from outside the office. No big deal. As for the legitimacy, plenty of legit headhunters get in touch with people on their own. Which firm was it?
keep the number and name and call them later if you want a job. Recruiter may have been sold the names of everybody at your company. Of course if you want a job now you can try call them. Some are sleazy some are good! When I was an associate at a big 4 firm I probably got at least 15 calls/emails a year (and so did most other people.
Its fun the first few times and then you just kind of forget and dont really write the names down anymore (but at least keep track of a few could come in handy later)
You're completely wrong about the legitimacy of firms that use headhunters. Most firms don't accept open resume submissions (just try to find "Apply Now" on KKR's website) and rely on headhunters to do their initial screening for them and then present the most qualified candidates. They do still interview their connections of course, but being headhunted is a very viable way to get hired.
For example's sake, here are some firms off the top of my head that I or other analysts in my class scored interviews at through headhunters when I was in banking: BAML Capital, KRG Capital, Carlyle, Norwest Ventures, HIG Capital, Riverside Partners, Summit Partners, TA Associates, Wind Point Partners, Vector Capital, Audax, Battery Ventures.
In fact, I'd say 90%+ of my analyst class got placed through a headhunter. So don't write them off.
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My friend works at a head hunting firm in NYC and if you were called and they referred to a specific position then it wouldn't hurt to take the call. Let me explain what I have been explained:
1) Sometimes headhunters merely call people to have updated resumes on file for future searches. They usually make this pretty clear when they call you. They'll let you know that there are possible opportunities but won't tell you that you are targeted for a specfic job
2) Headhunting firms have VERY VERY strong relationships with some of these banks/consutling firms. Many times these relationships trump the firms HR department. Many of the big firms (actually all of the big firms) use head hunters. They usually use them for higher level jobs (directors, MD, VP, global heads, etc). The firm will contact the headhunter and several times that one headhunting firm is the only firm looking for qualified candidates for the position.
3) They could have gotten your information through several different sources. You might have been recommended, they might have found you on linkedin, facebook, any social site or just through the web, or they might have your resume from before (maybe you were in your school's resume book, etc).
4) These headhunting firms are paid well for what they do, so they have to ensure that they keep a good connections with the firm that they work with. That means finding qualified people and making sure that they aren't wasting a firm's time. So if they contact you it doesn't necessarily mean they want you for the job, but they have enough information to believe that you are a good fit for the position they are searching for. If you are interested in a move I would talk with them (privately of course).
I just want to reiterate the importance of point #2, from what I have seen these relationships are strong. Headhunters will even negotiate for you and make sure that you are receiving what you deserve. They can even negotiate title if a firm is hiring a range of people (i.e. a consulting firm hiring managers, directors, partners, etc). That's all I can think of off the top of my head, if you have any questions feel free to ask.
You will see it handled in different ways. Depending on how morale is, people will either politely decline or say, "Here's a good number to call me at." In any case, you can usually spot one of these calls from a mile away when your coworkers are on the phone.
It never hurts to be nice, and if you tell a headhunter you're not interested, he will leave you alone for a while.
Thanks for all the comments, very educational. I'll definitely have to ask a few more questions next time I get a call, assuming the timing works out. Was a little awkward to have that call with a VP over my shoulder.
Yea I can imagine that it would be weird. Especially with a VP over your shoulder. The first thing any good recruiter should do (after introducing him/herself) is ask if this is a good time, and if not when they can reach you because they believe that you are a good fit for a specific search they are on. That way if the VP asks who called you can just say "oh a friend of mine, told him it wasn't a good time" or "oh parents/family etc". Plus, they shouldn't be surprised you are getting calls, it happens all the time, especially right now since salaries have stalled for a bit on wallstreet and many people are now underpaid (based on what a lateral move might provide you). So people are making moves to take advantage of the firms that are willing to pay.
How do HH's get your contact details? (Originally Posted: 03/29/2017)
I've received a few emails and sometimes even calls from head hunters and I was just wondering how they actually get hold of my contact details.
I don't even my contact details advertised on LinkedIn.
Thanks.
Not a HH but we have a team full of people who only finds contact details.
All I have to do is click call next and I can get connected to a VP of tech in seconds. If they answer though is a different story.
That's how you make 100+ calls in a few hours.
They have their ways.
Being Headhunted/Fast-Tracked For FT IBD Positions (Originally Posted: 07/22/2013)
Hey all,
Just wondering if anyone could give me the heads up on fast-tracks or being headhunted for FT positions at investment banks (specifically IBD roles). I'm assuming they fill their classes up from their interns but I'm wondering if I have a shot at being fast-tracked (I'm in London) and if so what the procedure is.
I'm currently interning at a big well known firm but its not IBD or a BB/MM etc. Do fast tracks only happens for people interning at a BB/MM in IBD already?
Thanks.
It's something I'm curious about as well.. i'm a SA at a MM atm.
No, but you will need a good contact to get you accelerated. I've already had a interview for IBD at a BB and I work at a small MM and attend a non target. I'm guessing I'm the exception not the norm though.
Are you in the US or London/UK?
Us so this might not be as much value to you
Anyone in the UK know about the above? I talked to a couple of people who worked at other large firms and were fast-tracked but no ones leaking how they got fast-tracked....
Contacted by a Recruiter but it seems like he's pulling my leg (Originally Posted: 12/02/2014)
Hi guys,
Long time lurker on WSO, but HAD to register to ask the people here since I'm drawing a blank.
I have a recruiter who's contacting me with a position available in Washington, D.C as a Research Associate within a "-$40B+ firm with multiple strategies". I tried to discover what this firm he's referencing in his email was but I had no luck.
Does this even make sense? Are you guys aware of any such firms?
http://www.americancapital.com/
http://www.americancapital.com/managed-funds
Perhaps?
Never trust a recruiter.
If you give him your resume (not that advisable), make sure you explicitly, in writing, tell him not to provide it to anyone (including people in his own firm) without your prior written consent.
I haven't dealt with lower level recruiters in a while (in reality I never did because I never called them back when I was younger, and back in the stone ages one needed to actually send them something) but anytime I speak to a headhunter one of the first things they say is that they won't share my information with anyone without my consent (they seem to get it off of LinkedIn or word of mouth). That's not standard?
what is the worst that could happen in dealing with a recruiter?
Some bottom feeding recruiter can take your resume and send it to a long list of companies for a wide variety of positions you're not really appropriate for or you don't want, cheapening the value of your resume (as its now been seen before and screened out), leading you fielding calls from HR people for jobs you don't want and/or risking word getting back to your employer.
Getting contacted by headhunters (Originally Posted: 12/29/2008)
I was just curious as to how meaningful it is to be contacted by one of the "top" headhunters (i.e. one of the ones mentioned on this board as having great access to large HFs and PE funds). Do they just send out emails to every analyst at all the large banks and screen from there, or is there some level of selection that goes into reaching out to analysts. Also, how do these firms get your contact information in the first place?
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