Public Finance Blog

We are going to look at the global picture of one’s career versus a micro look.  Everyone’s career takes ebbs and flows.  One minute, your career is sailing along with the wind filling your sails, and suddenly, something knocks you off track.  Your sails that were full are now luffing. Is it time to make a move? When should you be calling a recruiter? Is everything fine, and your emotions have taken over temporarily? 

Ch-Ch-Changes

Let me share with you that this is absolutely normal.  Every day or even every year cannot be your winning year.  You must look at your career over the long run, knowing that there will be changes in the wind.  That does not mean it’s time to change directions, it may only mean that you have to proceed differently.  I cannot tell you the number of times I get a call from a prospective candidate where they share, “Get me out of this situation now,” and then the next week they are in a completely different vibe and have no desire to make a move. Should calling a recruiter be the next move?

One Time Or Trend

Calling a recruiter, or anyone for that matter, who can help redirect your career should not be the first thing that you think of when the wind is taken out of your sail.  First and foremost, you need to ask yourself, “Is this an isolated situation or is this a new trend that needs to be dealt with?”  If it’s an isolated situation, deal with the complexity of the new circumstances, watch it develop, and hopefully resolve itself.  However, if it doesn’t, this could be a new trend in your bank’s platform or firm’s philosophy of how they are now choosing to do business.

Shhhh…

If that’s the case, it is time to trim the sails and go on a different tack to pick up the wind that you lost.  Quietly (and that is the key) start to look for new opportunities.  Broadcasting your frustration is the last thing you want to do.  Making an all-out assault on the marketplace, looking for a new position immediately, also will not benefit you.  Yet, quietly looking around, finding, and calling a recruiter who knows your situation completely will only benefit you.  As we head into 2026, building a trusting relationship with one recruiter who knows you and your industry inside and out is paramount, whether you use them or not to change positions.  Have them on speed dial… because if the wind changes, you have a lifeline waiting to help you.

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 onLinkedIn. Harlan publishes a blog every Thursdayhere. 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.