Public Finance Blog

Lately, I’ve been receiving more phone calls from potential candidates just wanting to know what’s out there.  These are not the type of calls I usually get, but there is a common thread happening with these public finance professionals right now. What’s the thread? It goes a little something like, “I’ve been in my same position for quite a while, and it just may be time to move on.” Wondering when it’s time to move on is an interesting question, to say the least.

Why Now? Aren’t Public Finance Professionals Satisfied?

Why all of a sudden this intense desire to “kick the tire” of other opportunities if these public finance professionals are satisfied at their current position?  Here’s the key: satisfaction is just not enough today.  They want more.  More responsibility, more growth, more independence, and correspondingly less bureaucracy.  Candidates mainly want to feel like they are contributing more to the overall success of their department.  Many “lifers” do not want to be “lifers” anymore.  They are questioning and wanting to know if there is something or some place that is better for them to finish their career.

What’s The Root Of It All?

Originally, I would have attributed this to the millennial effect, where younger people want to get what they can from their company and just move on to move up.  However, this is clearly not the case because the people who tend to reach out to me are the more senior people in their positions.  So, what is it? Is it a lack of complacency? I don’t think so.  As we get older and start to look back on what we’ve accomplished, I personally believe that we want to feel good about the legacy we are going to leave behind when we finally do retire.  We want to, as public finance professionals, look back at certain projects we’ve completed and share those with our family as we drive down streets to see schools or institutions we’ve helped to create because of what we do.

Do You Want To Make A Difference?

As public finance professionals, we don’t feel as worthy without these highlighted projects in our lives.  If you cannot point to these milestone projects, it might just be time to move on to a place where you can really look back and say to yourself, “I truly made a difference.”  It’s not too late, as we progress in our banking or law career, to have those feelings if you have not felt them yet.  Let us introduce you to firms that are looking for you, the professional who truly wants to make a difference in their career and their communities they serve.

Conclusion

You don’t need a resume to chat with us! If you would like to discuss your options, please reach out for a confidential conversation at 760-477-1284 or email at harlan@hfriedmansearch.com. He can also be reached on LinkedIn. Harlan publishes a blog every Thursday here. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here, which is a compilation of our weekly blogs, so you never miss one. We have also been mentioned in Forbes this year, click HERE to read more.  

About Harlan Friedman, JD & Founding Member, H. Friedman Search LLC. Harlan is a thirty-year veteran Public Finance Banker turned recruiter who specializes in the placement of all levels Public Finance Bankers, Healthcare Bankers, Municipal Advisors, Compliance Officers, Issuers, and Bond Counsels.