…until you have done your due diligence. You have spent countless hours gaining job experience, refining your resume, networking, landing the interview and finally receiving a job offer from the Private Equity firm of your dreams. You have achieved your goal – or have you?
There are a few more things you need to do before you accept that job offer; and taking the time to follow through may save you lots of time, money, and pain in the future.
Do your own due diligence. Check out your potential employer with FINRA www.FINRA.org and the SEC www.sec.gov. Finding that either the boss or company has marks against them should be a red flag that you may be entering a firm with questionable ethics. Remember, bad firms had good reputations before they went to the dark side.
Ask about your responsibilities. Knowing exactly what you will be responsible for ahead of time will help eliminate any miscommunication once you have started working; and it will help avoid any conflicts between your skill set and what duties you are expected to perform.
Who’s the Boss? Find out to whom you will be reporting. If you have a question, should you be going to the General Partner for answers, or is there someone else who will be your immediate supervisor? Knowing this ahead of time will help you avoid any awkward or embarrassing situations later.
What are your employment terms? Just because you are offered the job doesn’t mean you should accept it. To make an informed decision, you need to know not only how much money you will be making, but also if there a probationary period. What, if any, benefits are provided.
Have a discussion on expectations. The number one reason for workplace dissatisfaction is unfulfilled expectations. What does the PE firm expect of you during the first year? Do they have specific objectives you need to meet? What about your second year? What are the consequences if these objectives are not met?
When it comes to evaluating private equity job offers, knowing ahead of time what is expected of you will help avoid disappointment down the line.
About the Author:
Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC, is a Professional Resume Writer and Career Coach with nearly two decades experience working with professionals in finance, management consulting, legal, and technology.
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