When to follow up with headhunter (I have an expiring offer but want to get involved in a new process w/ this headhunter's client)

When to follow up with headhunter (I have an offer through other headhunter but want to get involved in a new process)?

Order of events:

  1. Headhunter tells me about interesting role

  2. I tell him I'm about to get a PE offer but I'm interested; he sends resume to firm I'm interested in

  3. I get the offer and tell him, and ask him to let me know if the firm he is representing is not interested (usually fine to get ghosted but have an offer so need to know)

  4. He confirms he sent my resume to firm and will keep me posted

It's been about a week. I would decline my offer for a chance to interview at this firm but don't want to lose any advantage I may have. How do I play this?

 
Most Helpful

If you have no interest in the offer, turn it down.  No need to draw things out if you have no intention of accepting or joining the firm.  In the long run, that firm and their recruiter will appreciate your decision and can move on to another candidate that will be excited to join them.

I don't think you have any "advantage"  with your current offer if you want to join the newly launching process.  If anything, you may be disadvantaged.  If the recruiter expected you to withdraw midstream to accept the offer you're holding, he may not have advocated for your candidacy with his client. It's unlikely that they would/could have accelerated the process to make a decision within your timeframe, so often the firms choose to focus on candidates that can fully participate in the interview process.

If you do decline the offer, contact the other recruiter right away.  Let them know that you have declined in order to pursue opportunities that are directly aligned with your interests, and that his Client is at the top of your list. 

Good luck!  Recruiting for PE is very competitive, but if you made it to the offer stage at a firm you're not even that excited about, you should definitely be able to cross the finish line at firms that are even a better fit. 

 

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