It's the job seeker's proverbial "Catch-22." Many financial firms say they'll only hire you if you are currently employed. That means if you're unemployed, don't even apply. At least that's what employers are telling the recruiters working for them. Send me employed people to interview for an open position, preferably someone poached from a direct competitor. Says one unnamed New York City-based financial recruiter, “They want me to find someone... Read more

You may be tired of hearing that it’s a buyer’s market when it comes to jobs in the financial markets. And these days it’s not only the employers who aren’t responding to job applicants. Recruiters haven’t been on their best behavior either. In fact, candidates are complaining that when it comes to common courtesies, such as returning phone calls and following up with interviewees with advice on why they didn’t... Read more

In the new “Workplace Insights Survey” published by Accounting Principals, the financial professionals polled were relatively optimistic about their firm’s performance in 2012. The survey polled finance professionals across a wide spectrum of industries, including accounting, advisory and consumer services, business finance and investments. A full 67 percent of those surveyed expected their companies to win new or incremental business. Half of those polled expected additional M&A activity in 2012.... Read more

It may not be the heyday of 2007, but predictions are that M&A deal activity and deal values in many sectors will top that of 2010. The slow and steady recovery is a glimmer of hope in an otherwise lackluster to dismal financial landscape. Banks, as well as accounting and consulting, PE and investment firms, are well aware and making moves to be in on the action by ramping up... Read more

As banks and other financial firms remain hesitant to bring on full-timers in this economic downturn, interim placements are growing at a steady pace, says Bill Guy, chairman and CEO of Cornerstone International Group, a retained executive search firm. However, while taking on interim hires may make sense for a skittish employer, not all mid-career professionals are that "hip" to the idea. Still, Guy tells eFinancialCareers that there could be real... Read more

In the good old days, when strong candidates could dictate the terms of employment, midcareer professionals expected some sort of relocation assistance. But in today’s economic climate, the employer has the distinct advantage. And the change in the relocation kickback couldn’t have come at a worse time. More finance professionals are considering moves far beyond their original job searches, given the downturn in the job market. A new research report... Read more

An agreement on a sovereign debt write-down certainly isn’t welcome news for traders sitting on a sovereign bond desk. As the banks and EU agree to write down 50 percent of Greek bond debt, the market is taking a long and hard look at just what will come next. The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) is taking a wait and see approach, noting that, for the moment, the event... Read more

Finance professionals are often put off by the idea of a video interview with an employer. However, the use is growing. If you happen to be the lucky one getting ready to setup the webcam, here are some words of advice from Dave Falardeau, director of 10K Financial Recruiters, on how to ace the interview. • First, acknowledge that a video interview isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While it might seem impersonal... Read more

Regulation is once again reshaping the financial markets, courtesy of Dodd-Frank. Swap execution facilities (SEF) are ramping up operations in anticipation of the growing need to move swaps trading to an open and registered electronic platform. Today it's the dealers and third party players who are entering the SEF marketplace. As SEFs are sure to add personnel, it’s the techies that are ruling the roost. Platform developers and designers are... Read more

For credit specialists, it just might be time to consider hopping the pond. Investment into credit asset management in Europe seems to be picking up, at least for the short-term, and the bulk of the operations are taking up shop in the UK or being driven by UK-based firms elsewhere. Here are some of the recent developments. Crescent Capital, a Los Angeles-based alternative investment firm, announced expansion of its credit... Read more

It’s not uncommon for candidates applying to a bulge bracket or top bank to sit through a three- to five-hour interview session. Yes, the interview has become a marathon session, designed to break you down and reveal every little point of knowledge, as well as your personality flaws. But if you want the job, then you need some effective tools to do your best. Admittedly, the run-around with four or... Read more

Cantor Fitzgerald is once again announcing an expansion of its prime brokerage biz. “Whether it's via acquisition, joint venture or hiring new talent, we are growing domestically and expanding into Europe in 2012,” said Noel Kimmel, Cantor’s senior managing director and global head of prime services, in a press release. The plan is to establish a London presence to handle non-U.S. clients. Currently, Cantor’s clients are handled from their U.S.... Read more

Typically, traders and investment managers sign a variety of employer agreements when they come onboard with a new firm, including non-solicitation, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements. While these employer agreements detail such things as compensation and bonus, they also address confidentiality of client lists, dispute resolution, arbitration provisions and more. The agreements are, generally speaking, considered a given in the industry, but that doesn't mean you should automatically accept them without... Read more

It seems logical that doing the right thing would get someone ahead on the job. But according to a new report from Catalyst, a non-profit organization dedicated to women’s advancement in the workplace, post-MBA men benefited more from using proactive career advancement strategies than their female counterparts, even when the same strategies were used. The organization also found that when women used the same tactics as men, women still had... Read more

With the big banks and bulge brackets still cutting back, many financial professionals are looking for a safe haven in the midst of the industry storm. While some have been loathing to make the leap outside of the space, especially to third party outsourcing firms, there couldn’t be a better time to apply financial and operational skills to a different industry. Business Process Outsourcing, or BPO, is once again growing... Read more

With the comeback in private equity, interim Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are gaining in prominence. Their expertise is particularly handy when it comes to the transactions that drive the industry. According to Jim Dimitriou, national managing partner in the private equity practice of Tatum, highly seasoned and skilled CFOs are usually required whether it’s due diligence on acquisitions, integration of acquired firms or prep for a liquidity event, like an... Read more

The question of whether or not to pursue a contract finance job doesn’t usually come up for most professionals until they’ve been laid off or need to return to the workforce after an absence. For anyone who has experienced the dreaded layoff, a contract position can certainly be a great way to keep the resume from looking a bit moldy, as you continue the search for a full-time gig. According... Read more

Ask any harried working mom, or dad for that matter, and they’re sure to say that balancing personal and work commitments remains a serious challenge. So, when Working Mother Magazine reveals its 2011 Working Mother 100 Best Companies list, the survey brings much attention—for better or worse. The list uses data on flexible work arrangements, parental leave, childcare, health and wellness support, and management advancement opportunities for women. The top... Read more

It goes without saying that being laid off is one of the most stress-filled moments in a person’s life. Far and beyond the mental and financial toll on the laid off banking professional, the impact on personal relationships can be significant. Maintaining those ties—with a spouse, partner, or even one’s cadre of friends—can certainly be hard when you’re in the midst of a meltdown. But preserving those connections can be... Read more

Just when you think there isn’t any good news to be had in banking, there’s a spate of hiring—albeit selective—especially in a number of mortgage-related posts. But don’t expect this round of hiring—and possibly the jobs—to last forever, given it’s all related to the downturn and problems in consumer lending. Check out this rundown of new job opportunities, before it’s too late: Regional and Smaller Banking Players Making Moves TD Bank announced... Read more