Keeping in touch with recruiters who specialize in private equity can be an important part of your job search, but the relationship has to be a two-way street says Jason Hersh, managing partner at the recruitment firm Klein Hersh International. Hersh was interviewed recently for the Wall Street Journal’s popular and ongoing series, Laid Off and Looking.
Creating a “win-win” relationship for both recruiter and candidate starts with a little common courtesy. Don’t blindly send your resume out to recruiters shotgun style. Recruiters often share information with their peers, so such a sloppy and unfocused approach will come back to haunt you. And don’t contact a recruiter “just to stay in touch” without having something specific to contribute to their business, too.
For example, if you hear about an opportunity in the market, let your 1-2 key recruiters know. They are likely to have a relationship with the company. So this gives the search consultant a chance to get more detailed information about the opportunity which they may in turn share with you. A change in your career status, a promotion or award, for instance, is another viable reason to contact your search reslationships.
One added benefit of carefully cultivating these relationships is that you may be able to draw on their expertise for advice in a pinch. A recruiter may be able to help you develop a better rationale for handling tough subjects, like why you were laid off, or had an extended period of unemployment.
You can find a complete database of private equity recruiters in the Premium Member section of Job Search Digest’s Private Equity Jobs Digest.
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