Career after failed search?

searcher profile

June 12, 2023

by a searcher from University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business in Washington, DC, USA

Hi all, i was contemplating traditional search but I am fearful that if I look for 2 years for a company (and I end up not finding one and closing my fund) that my career will suffer. Is it possible to get jobs after a failed search? Is 'searching' valuable to an employer, or would it essentially be a waste of 2 years if I dont find a company?

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commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
in New York, NY, USA
In many ways it will depend on what you want to do afterward. The skill set developed over a search is largely determined by you, and your success in exiting a failed search into a corporate role will in large part depend on how strategically you develop and market the skills from the search and the networking that you do prior to failing. It is very possible to go from a failed search into a success career at financial sponsors, small companies, or large corporations. As mentioned above, a big part of the task is framing your experience. But I would also add that it's important to have an idea about what you want to do in the event you need to exit a failed search and focus on developing a complementary skillset during your search that will be marketable in that field.
commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
from Brigham Young University in Dallas, TX, USA
What about if your acquired company fails after a successful search?

I agree with the excellent and thoughtful advice above…I would just add that you can’t always control the outcomes, but you can control your response. Life will go on, you will have learned and grown, and you’ll take that experience and perspective into the next phase of your life, which may be very different than what you expect it would be.

Of course, have a contingency plan, but be all in, roll with the punches, and cross that bridge only if you have to.

Anyone with the grit to push hard on a search for 2 years will be just fine afterwards.
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