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Know Your Priorities: Continue On A Strong Career Trajectory

How can you be the most effective to yourself when you decide it's time to kick the tires of a new opportunity at least?  You may wonder why you are even looking for a new opportunity.  Is this in line with your ideal career trajectory?  Was it the persuasiveness of...

A Call Today Opens A Door Tomorrow

As I sat down to write this week’s blog, I was reflecting on where all of my contacts and leads came from the previous week.  Was there a trend to the candidates that I was now talking to?  Were they all from bulge brackets or small regional firms?  Were they...

Circumstances Have Changed: Is It Too Late To Say Yes?

We’ve discussed the proper way to say no, but how and when to say yes is just as important.  It becomes even more critical if you are saying yes after turning down the offer previously or if you want to re-engage in the offer discussions after saying no. Saying yes...

How Do You Properly Say No?

We all know how to say yes to a job offer, but how do you say no?  Saying no the right way leaves the door open and shows respect to the hiring manager and the firm that you said no to.  Doing it incorrectly leaves a bad taste all around. ...

A Milestone I Am Grateful For

“We interrupt our regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you a special announcement.”  I think I had too much of Hurricane Hilary these past few days. It is affecting my writing style.  In truth, our thoughts go out to those on the West Coast who were hit way worse than we...

Skeletons In Your Closet?

We live in an information age.  Today anybody can find out anything about everyone with just a few quick clicks properly placed.  The internet has made the world your stage, and as such there is no longer the gap between the people that know and the people that want to...

What Makes You Different Makes Your Interview Stronger

As I like to do in these blogs, I will bring to your attention trends that I am seeing from candidates interviewing and hiring managers presenting offers.  The trend that is now showing its face is differentiating yourself; and I am not necessarily talking about diversity and inclusion topics, though...

How Much Proper Words During An Interview Matter

Words can have lots of different meanings. For example, the word for “snow” has over fifty different lexicons for the Eskimo in Iceland.  “Snow” does not just mean snow there; however, in the lower forty-eight, there is only one word for snow.  The way you use words is critical in...

What Has Changed In Public Finance Since June 1st?

There was nothing magical about June 1st. It was just an ordinary day, and I’m not even sure what day of the week it was. However, something in the world of public finance changed.  Firms were ready to move again.  I had noticed a hiatus in the hiring process up...

Your 1st Interview: Phone, Zoom, Or In-Person?

I would have thought by now that COVID has come under control, and the fascination with Zoom or Teams would have died down.  Instead, it appears that these video conference call interviews are here to stay.  A lot has been written on the tactics to apply when doing a Zoom...

7 Important Items To Consider When Contemplating A Move

What Candidates And Clients Should Consider... I trust everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July - now onto today’s blog!  In today’s blog, I am going to look at the areas that over the last twelve years seem to be the most significant for both candidates and clients...

Why Your Mindset Matters For A First Interview

One of the things that I am continually asked is, “What is the right mindset for that first interview?”  Everyone knows that mindset is the key to what behaviors you display. Like the saying “As you think, so you are.”  So, what is the mindset for that first interview?  Most...

Does The Changed Culture Of The Firm Make You Feel Alone?

Humankind has been and always will be a social animal; however, what about in a work environment?  When you first interviewed for your current position, you would not have gone over there unless you felt a true connection.  It’s not the platform that you went over there for but for...

Why Would You Not Talk To A Recruiter?

At the risk of maybe some redundancy over the last year, I think this is an important question you need to ask yourself.  If a recruiter is reaching out to you, is there any harm in talking to one?  The answer, like many answers in life, depends.  “What does it...

The Need To Sell The Vision Of The Firm…And Yourself!

Why aren’t people getting hired?  Why aren’t firms hiring? Two very important questions and both are answered the same way.  No vision.  What do I mean by no vision?  We are still in a candidate-driven market, so it’s up to the hiring firms to sell the vision of the firm. ...

What To Do When There Are Rumblings In The Street

Anyone who has been a student of the industry of public finance for years can feel it.  Issuance is down, interest rates are rising, and the FED is still increasing interest rates which makes it more expensive for borrowing.  Under economic monetary planning, traditionally that makes it more expensive to...

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

What Are The Common Factors? Are There Any For Entry-Level And Seasoned Professional Candidates? It’s time to get a bit nostalgic. I am a follower of Napoleon Hill and have been for many years.  Many of you may know his classic book Think And Grow Rich.  Well, I re-read this...

Q1 Reflections: Passive Candidates, Timelines & More

The following blog will differ from most other formats that you have gotten used to.  With the advent of Chat GPT – I am making this disclaimer: these are the thoughts and words of Harlan Friedman, and they only reflect what I as a Senior Recruiter in the space of...

What’s The Graying Of Public Finance Really Mean?

You would think a blanket statement like the “graying of public finance” would be a negative statement. And no matter how old you are, it’s a positive statement for the field of public finance.  As the two top political leaders plan their ascent to the White House again, both contenders...

Traditional Networking: A Blessing Or A Curse For Your Job Search?

The old adage was: When you lose a job, you tell everyone.  You share that you are back in the market with everyone that you know in all industries. As the expression goes with traditional networking, “You are only one step away from someone who can introduce you to the...

What Dating Can Teach You About Recruiting

Over the years many people have associated being recruited with going out on a first date.  The similarities between recruiting and dating are significant and by examining these we can help you become a better recruit.  On your first date, everyone puts their best foot forward. As the process continues,...

The Reality Of Your Resume Process

Today’s blog is going to address the truth about resumes; but, more specifically the question, “Do I even need a resume?”  The answer is: It depends on the level of candidate you are.  If you are a highly proficient senior-level attorney or banker, then you may not need a resume...

The Counteroffer: What You Should Know

Today more than ever there is a new trend that is increasing every day: the counteroffer. Now you may be thinking, “Harlan, this is not a new trend. There have always been counteroffers,” I would tend to agree with you wholeheartedly. However, there is a statistic that should make you...

A New Era: The Team Approach

What Does The Team Approach Look Like? As many of you are aware, over the last couple of weeks I have been helping my wife recover from a spinal fusion.  Not an easy surgery to say the least, but she is doing great.  The surgery was on the 27th of...

Is There Ever A Right Time To Move?

As we head into the last month of the first quarter, more and more companies are announcing bonuses and planning for the rest of the year.  With the reduction in force occurring at the major bulge bracket firms (and just being that time of the year when professionals like yourself...

What Does A Garden Leave Provision Really Mean?

In the past, we have explored the essential questions that you must be prepared to address and the manager's responsibility. We are going to jump ahead before following up next week with more essential points to cover.  Today we are going to explore the crucial topic of garden leave.  Even...

Back To Basics: Best Practices For A Successful Interview

Each year when the UCLA Bruins would begin their new season, whether you were a rookie or a returning senior, everyone got the same lesson.  To quote Coach John Wooden, “This is a basketball…” followed by a lengthy discussion of how to put on your socks.  Why did Coach Wooden...

What The Opportunistic Approach Entails: Part 2

This week we conclude the two-part series about what opportunistic hiring really entails.  We left off with the first interview being completed, now let’s address the conclusion of the process.  Once again, we will demonstrate the effectiveness of the opportunistic hiring process compared to traditional job hunting with or without...

What The Opportunistic Approach Entails

I shared last week that hiring managers are being inundated with a plethora of unsolicited candidates for one reason or another.  With the advent of a reduction in force and disappointment in bonuses, it's no surprise that managers are being inundated with applications.  However, as I shared last week, our...

Current Hiring Managers Problem: An Influx Of Candidates

2023 is in full force now. Everyone is back from their long holiday retreats, and current hiring managers are being inundated with unsolicited calls by bankers that are now looking at reality - their actual bonus checks.  Most bankers at this time have either received their actual check or at...

Your Reputation Within The Industry Proceeds You…Really

Even as we head into 2023, your reputation within the industry is the key.  What people and your colleagues think about you is important but sometimes what your competitors think about you is even more important.  As the field of public finance professionals narrows and the competition for great players...

10 Ways To Know You Are In Demand

Unfortunately, this week we laid my mother-in-law who lived to the ripe old age of 94 to rest.  She left a family of ten grandchildren, and as the designated two grandchildren got up to speak and share their thoughts about their loving grandmother Ethel, they decided to build a theme...

Hesitant About Recruiters? Let’s Talk About Why

As 2023 heads into the second full week bonus thinking are prevalent.  Everyone starts to wonder if their bonus is going to be what they expect or if are they going to get that dreaded surprise: it’s not what you wanted or more importantly what you deserve.  I have to...

Invest In Your Future: Know These 2023 Hiring Trends

As we ring in the New Year, calls are starting to come in again wondering how 2023 is going to change the public finance outlook as it relates to hiring trends.  I was pondering this exact question when I got my first call from an experienced banker and here were...

Reflect On 2022, Ring In 2023 The Right Way

52 weeks of blogs. I trust that you have learned a lot this year from these.  I enjoy writing them since they are a way for me to share what is going on in the recruiting world as it relates to public finance professionals.  Most of my blogs come from...

Working With Relational Recruiters Will Make A Difference In 2023

As we get ready to wind down the year, I want to offer a few final suggestions for 2023 regarding the significance of relational recruiters: To The Candidate: Do Not Hesitate To Reach Out To Relational Recruiters First, if you have ever started with a relational recruiter and you did...

4 Steps On How To Use LinkedIn Properly

I am going to try, and I mean try, to tackle the questions of how to use LinkedIn properly in a job search.  This may be counterintuitive to what a recruiter would share with a candidate or even a company that is looking to increase its personnel. However, what I...

Specialist Vs. Generalist: What Public Finance Firms Desire

As we continue with hiring trends for 2023, there is one trend that is just beginning.  Public finance firms are looking for bankers that are out of the ordinary, primarily traditional municipal bankers once coveted by firms are now being shunned for specialists.  That is not to say that if...

Public Finance In 2023: What’s The Hiring Picture Look Like?

What’s the hiring picture look like for 2023 in public finance?   If I was the Great Kreskin, I could answer that; however, I also know the Great Kreskin had the ability to read the signs.  Johnny Carson’s Carnac the Magnificent was a portrayal of the amazing Kreskin and was able...

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we get ready to sit down and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with family and friends, I cannot help but think about how grateful I am for allowing me to help so many people and companies with their hiring needs over the last twelve years.  Because of the trust...

What Opportunistic Hiring Can Mean For YOU

Throughout the many years of these blogs, I have referred consistently to the term and world of opportunistic hiring.  In this week's blog, we are going to dive deep into the term and what it can mean for your future.  Not only are we going to talk about the term...

Top Misperceptions About The Use Of A Recruiter

As the year winds down, more and more firms are deciding to trim their excess fat going into 2023 whereas other firms are trying to add to their personnel roster, now the need for recruiters is continuing to grow.  However, some people are reluctant to use the services of a...

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… Or Should You?

We have all heard the expression, “Don’t sweat the little things,” and I believe that is excellent advice in general.  If you let yourself get bogged down on all the little petty annoyances that we all face day to day, nothing would ever get accomplished; would it?  But if you...

For The Prospective Candidate: Be Aware Of These Little Tricks

Today I am going to share with you the little unknown secrets that a recruiter will use in determining if they want to (a) work with you as a prospective candidate, or (b) if a hiring manager representing a company wants to interview you as a candidate.  Like all industries,...

To Enter, Re-enter, Or Leave Entirely: Transferable Skills

Today's blog is going to look at a question that is looming in everyone’s mind as we get closer to the end of the year and start to look with anticipation of next year.  So many times during the last quarter of the year I get the same type of...

Trends In 2023 & Working Remotely

As 2022 slowly ebbs to its conclusion, candidates and hiring managers are asking me what the trends are for 2023.  Will we see more issuance or less?  Are firms going to continue to hire or are we going to see less movement in the industry as more and more firms...

The Cost Of A Hiring Mistake For Candidates & Hiring Managers: Part 2

Last week we discussed the cost of hiring the wrong person from the company’s perspective and how important that was.  In this week’s blog, we continue with the cost to the candidate of choosing the wrong new employment situation.  This is such a significant question and one that should not...

The Cost Of A Hiring Mistake For Candidates & Hiring Managers: Part 1

This is such a significant question and one that should not be glossed over.  It’s one we have never addressed in all of our blogs, so today I get an opportunity to really stress this point to both candidates and hiring managers.  The cost of making a mistake in the...

Having The Debrief: Why It’s Significant

In this week’s blog, I want to address the technical area of the debrief.  This will only apply to those candidates that choose to use a recruiter.  The debrief is after the interview conversation where you share your interview with your recruiter.  Not only does a candidate have a debrief,...

Ask Yourself First…

Continuing with the theme of the last three weeks with the 10 most asked questions of a recruiter, I wanted to share some additional questions that you need to ask yourself as you begin to prepare for your opportunistic interview. I want to emphasize the word opportunistic because the way...

Top 10 Questions To Ask Recruiters: Part 3

As we wrap up this series, I cannot stop thinking about all the other questions that are asked of me during the year.  Yes, these are the top 10 questions, but more importantly, there are many more questions that each individual candidate or prospective candidate wants to be answered in...

Top 10 Questions To Ask Recruiters: Part 2

This week we continue with number five of our questions that are the most frequently asked questions of recruiters. The answers that I’m going to provide once again are going to be skewed towards my methodology of recruiting, which are truly opportunistic hiring scenarios. Just to reiterate, opportunistic hiring is...

Top 10 Questions To Ask Recruiters

Over the next couple of weeks, I want to address the 10 most popular questions that I am asked about working with a recruiter.  By understanding these questions and answers, the goal is that you become much more comfortable working with any recruiter no matter what industry you are in. ...

We Need To Talk About It: Bonus Compensation & Incentives

While on vacation the last couple of weeks, I received a series of emails talking about bonus incentives, how they work, whether they are consistent across the industry, claw back questions, etc.  Today I want to demystify the conversation about bonuses in general and be more specific as to the...

The Benefits Of Using A Recruiter: Part 2

Last week we discussed the benefits that a candidate would receive by working closely with a recruiter. We shared numerous reasons why a candidate should always be talking to a recruiter; the main one being that you never know what's going to happen, and you want to have that ongoing...

The Benefits Of Using A Recruiter: Part 1

In the next two weeks, we are going to be a little bit self-serving, which I tend not to be.  Today we will discuss the benefits a candidate receives by engaging the service of a recruiter.  Next week we will look at why a company would also engage a recruiter...

Why Are You Waiting To Say Yes?

It’s time to pose the question: Why it is so hard to say yes? You've had your interview, you know it's the right place to go, you've asked yourself the right questions, you know it's the right timing; and yet, you're reluctant to say yes. What is it that's holding...

It’s Not All About The Money

This week I celebrated my forty-first anniversary with my lovely wife Sharon. Celebrating 41 years today as I have been told is a major accomplishment; sad but a true statement regrettably.  I have always been one of the adages: if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.  This leads to my...

You’ve Answered The Magic Question, What’s Next?

Congratulations! You've now had the first interview with the hiring manager, you've done what's been suggested, and you’re ready to answer the question: Do I want to learn more? At this point you only have two choices “yes I do” or “no I don't.” This blog will share with you...

The Most Important Question

I want to share with you what I consider to be the most important question that you should ask yourself at the conclusion of your first interview. People will have many different thoughts as they start the interview process; however, I believe by asking this question you will be more...

That Unexpected Conversation: Next Steps You Must Take

Today we're going to deal with what happens when you experience something that comes completely out of left field and leaves you with uncertainty about your future. You thought everything was going great in your current situation, and all of a sudden you get that dreaded phone call; HR wants...

It’s Never Too Late

As many of my loyal readers know, I like to share experiences that are prevalent in the week that occurred, but more importantly relevant to my readers. This week I was fortunate enough to get to collaborate with a candidate that I had not worked with for quite a while. ...

Don’t Let Fear Drive Your Career: Guide It To Make Impactful Choices

As we've remained in this candidate-driven market, I want to address an area that seems to be more prevalent. I have recently seen a greater reluctance to finally pull the trigger in making a move. Due diligence is done, client visits have been completed, and verbal offers have been extended;...

Background Checks: Where Everything Comes To Light

I want to address the whole issue of background checks. This will pertain to both public finance bankers, bond counsels, and other people outside of our cottage industry. Since we are dealing with money, assets, and fiduciary relationships, the background check that all the firms do is paramount for someone...

Your Happiness At Work Now Matters

It's rare that I have to contradict something that I wrote a couple of years ago, but there is definitely a new trend I feel obligated to share. I used to say that being a “job jumper” was extremely detrimental to your future. And I still stand by that as...

The Effects Of Pacing On The Hiring Process

I truly believe that because of COVID all industries across the board have changed drastically. We used to be able to make a phone call to make an appointment and maybe wait on hold for a minute (maybe two at the most). Why now is it almost 25 to 45...

You Never Know When You’ll Need That Trusted Recruiter

As I sat down today to write, I started thinking about all the people that I've worked with over the last 12 years. The one thing I would say to each candidate after they moved was, “This is not the end of our relationship but rather the beginning of our...

Where’s Waldo? The Hidden Answers In An Interview

When we were kids or played with our own children, I am sure most of you played some version of “Where’s Waldo?” For those veterans, do you remember the comic strip where you had to find the name of the artist, which was always included in the strip somewhere? I...

There Are No A, B, or C Firms When It Comes To Your Career

I must be honest with you; I've written about 150 of these blogs and sometimes the subject matter comes easily while other times it can take a while to percolate. This is one of those that had to percolate. The title itself may seem nonsensical at first. I can hear...

You Have A Signed Offer – Now Get Them Through The Door!

As I mentioned in our last blog, we are now in a candidate-driven market. Since I discussed at length what a candidate-driven market is, now let’s only address the employer’s perspective and what they can do to ensure a new candidate does walk through the door. Today is not necessarily...

Learn The Basics: What A Candidate-Driven Market Means For You

You have heard the expression “a candidate-driven market” or “an employer-driven market”. What is actually being referenced when they use those terms? First, what we are experiencing now is clearly a candidate-driven market, and we have been in this scenario for about two to three years. COVID certainly helped extend...

 An Open Letter To All Hiring Managers: Is A Sweatshirt Enough? Part 2

As a continuation of yesterday’s blog, let’s fast forward through the resignation process now that you know more communication daily is needed.  Regarding my daughter’s situation, they accept her resignation, and she gives her two weeks’ notice. As many of you know my dad passed away last week. My daughter’s...

An Open Letter To All Hiring Managers: Is A Sweatshirt Enough?

Hopefully, this topic will be eye-opening for anyone who has employees working for them in a remote environment. It does not matter if you are leading a team of two or leading a team of 5,000. The information I want to share with you is extremely valuable. I usually write...

Changes In the Hiring Process Due To COVID: Are They Here To Stay?

As we head into year three of the “pandemic” (a word I hate saying almost as much as “unprecedented” as it relates to COVID), we have learned many things about the hiring process.  This blog will attempt to identify what I consider to be the major changes in the hiring...

It’s Never A Perfect Fit

It’s never a perfect fit. Whether it's with your current firm or even potential next firm. A strange way to start a blog that's supposed to be optimistic and forward thinking, huh? If you've been a regular reader of mine, you know I tend to take the “high road” when...

Do Preconceived Notions Ruin New Opportunities For You?

As 2022 is unfolding there are a plethora of new opportunities being created. As I mentioned in a previous blog, now is the time to be in public finance. However, you must put aside your preconceived notions about the firm or management. It’s time to realize that the aging of...

It’s A Great Time To Be In Public Finance, Right?

“What a great time to be in public finance!” This is probably not a sentence you would expect to hear when looking around our field.  Most people would be sharing that the industry is consolidating and that there are fewer opportunities than in the past. Or they will be saying...

Finding The Right Recruiter For You: Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, we started to explore the relationship between candidates, clients, and recruiters. Now we are going to conclude by delving deeper into the type of recruiter that you would want to represent you, and the questions that you should ask to determine which potential recruiter...

Your U5 Form: How It Can Affect Your Next Move

We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog “Finding The Right Recruiter For You: Part 2” to share with you this particularly important information. There is a major difference between a clean Broker Check as appears on the FINRA site and your U5 form when it comes to being hired. I am...

Finding The Right Recruiter For You: Part 1

Today we are going to address the issues of finding the right recruiter for you and how to deal effectively with them for your optimal results. On the face of it, this should be an extremely easy topic to address; however, it is much more complicated than you may think....

3 Things To Know & Share For A Great Opportunistic Interview

In my last few writings, I have been accentuating my process of opportunistic hiring and the benefits to both you (the candidate) as well as the hiring managers. It is the best of both worlds. But I do not want to be laborious. Now I want to share with you...

How Opportunistic Hiring In 2022 Creates Career Leaps & Bounds

As I mentioned in my previous two blogs, this year is going to be a prolific year for both issuers as well as movement of both bond counsel and public finance professionals. Last year everyone was busy working on existing deals and figuring out how to work within this COVID...

Our Final Blog Of 2021 & Survey Results For 2022

Fifty-two blogs are done, which means that the year is now concluding. This year has certainly been one for the books. I am not necessarily referring to only our industry but more so to the entire hiring community throughout the United States. As we headed into the last six months...

7 Questions

I want to hear from YOU! What are your predictions for 2022? Do you think issuance in 2022 will be greater, lesser or the same as 2021?Do you see more or less taxable transactions than in 2021? Do you see more or less firms in the industry as of the...

Happy Thanksgiving!

First of all, I want to thank my trusted and loyal readers of this blog for close to five years now.  I also want to thank everyone I have had the pleasure of working with this year so far.  Whether we had a brief conversation or one that went on and...

Get The Inside Scoop: Focus On The Story, Not The Name Of The Firm

I want to share another trend that I am becoming aware of way too often. I hope you do not see this blog as too self-serving, that is not the intent of it. It is to open both candidates and hiring managers perspectives. If you really believe that recruiters in...

Don’t Be Surprised: Have An Established Relationship With A Recruiter

Imagine my surprise when I checked my email and received the following message, “We are deeply sorry, but after 10 years of operation we have to shut down our fitness center.” At first this may not seem important or life changing; however, it’s difficult when you have developed a habit...

Times Have Changed: What You Should Know

This year I had the opportunity to share Halloween with my children and grandchildren. It has been over two years since we have been able to do that. The only masks that we saw last night were Halloween masks. As my son reflected at the conclusion of the evening he...

The Ultimate Portal: Timing Ensures Hiring Success

In the past we have discussed timing about when to make a move, but this blog is not about that at all.  Before I share the contents of today’s blog, I want to ask a question.  Have you watched the Lost Symbol on Amazon Prime? It’s the next portion of...

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” – Rolling Stones

As my wife often reminds me, I'm stuck in a music time warp. It's the 60s and the 70s for me.  Recently I was listening to a classic from The Rolling Stones, “You Can't Always Get What You Want.”. It made me think of certain individuals that I’ve worked with...

Prep For The First Interview To Get The Second

Now that we covered all the concerns over the last three weeks, you've made the decision to start the process, and we arrive at the interview phase.  Much has been written in the general media on interviews. In my humble opinion, I do not believe they apply as much to...

Concerns Of A Candidate Considering Making A Move: Part 3

If you have been following along over the last two weeks, we have been evaluating and discussing concerns of the candidate. Specifically, any concern that you may be facing while considering making a move.  You are at the point where you are serious about making a move, but that little...

Concern For Candidates Considering Making A Move: Part 2

What factors can become a concern for candidates considering making a move? As a continuation of the previous blog, I am going to jump into more concerns for candidates that have been shared with me, or I have heard about these from other recruiters in the industry (non-public finance). A...