As we say goodbye to the month of January and I look at my forward calendar – I am amazed at the response to a very specific mailing we just concluded. This was mail to individuals who over the last five years have taken an interview. I expected about a 10% return, which would have been very good. But instead we are seeing at least a 35% plus return of people that want to talk. What does that tell me? Basically, there is a great deal of unrest in our cottage industry of Public Finance for bankers, experts, etc. But does unrest mean that there are opportunities out there – again, I say yes.
We are seeing a widespread increase in the number of firms that I represent looking for quality bankers nationwide. That is not to say that offices in certain areas are being closed. But in general, the word that we are receiving is that there is an abundance of good positions available nationwide for experience public finance originators. Once again teams are very much in demand.
Before, a firm would call an executive recruiter and have them look for a specific void to be filled. For instance: locate a Banker with five years experience in transportation in the New Jersey market. But that is not the case anymore. The plan to hiring these days is not filling a job order but hiring opportunistically. What does that actually mean? Very specifically, if a recruiter has what I affectionately call “a person of interest”, they should call their Client Companies and discuss the candidate with the Hiring manager. They would see if he or she has an interest in that person’s clientele, expected revenue and area of expertise. All companies are looking to increase their bottom line, and if they can see a way by adding a key person(s) to their existing team and generate income, they should be very interested in engaging with the candidate.
So how does this pertain to you… If you should be entertaining the thought of making a move, don’t call a recruiter or a company directly and ask if there is a position in your locale. Instead, build a story around yourself, your revenues, and your contacts. If you decide to not use a firm to represent you, then share this valuable information with the recruiter or company exactly what you can bring to that firm. Do not be concerned when making this presentation if there is a job opening. For the right person and situation there is always a job available. Let us help you find that new position if you deem that is what you want to do. And remember not making a move is also a great viable alternative as well. The grass is not always greener.
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 level Public Finance Bankers, Health Care Bankers, Municipal Financial Advisors, Compliance Officers, FinOps & Bond Counsels. He can be reached at [email protected] or 760-477-1284.