Archive for January, 2008
BlueSteps Diversity Report 2007
January 29, 2008 3:49 pmTransitioning to the Buy Side of Finance
January 25, 2008 2:07 pm
I am currently exploring the option of transitioning to the buy-side of finance (private equity). What would you suggest as the best manner to transition to this area? I want to focus my energies on firms focusing on technology and healthcare investments. I am also willing and open to work abroad. What is the best manner to approach using a headhunter?
If you are interested in technology, you may be more suited to explore a venture capital fund. VC firms invest in state of the art companies and are looking for high growth/cutting edge opportunities. Private equity firms on the other hand, seek to invest in more established companies. Your background in valuation services and M&A advisory seems to fit well in either area. These employers rely on analytical skills to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a company’s product and services, their management team and to understand their competitors in the market. Private equity continues to be a business that is difficult to reach, therefore cold calling and answering blind ads are not very successful.
Some private equity/VC positions are advertised on Monster.com, bloomberg.com and in newspapers such as the NY Times. I also suggest networking through your alumni database. Look for alumni who are working in specific funds and evaluate your potential interest by getting informational interviews. Networking allows you build relationships and places you on their radar screen for future openings. If your background is not a fit, ask what further experience you would require to be more attractive.
If you choose a route through an Executive Recruiter look for firms that specialize in private equity, venture capital and hedge funds. If you are interested in a larger search firm, find out whether they have a private equity practice and call the recruiter and offer your assistance on their searches first, then present your credentials. Typically, larger search firms seek candidates from top business schools who have excelled in the top 10% of their graduating class, who have high level performance ratings in their current job with a career track record of early promotion.
Good luck with your search. Persistence always pays off!
Career Transition into a New Industry
January 16, 2008 10:24 am
A senior executive came to me last week, very excited about a VP level position with a sporting goods manufacturer. They were looking for someone to head up a new initiative that may be the first step in re-organizing their marketing strategy. However, he came to me seeking advice as the company has previously sought people with a consumer products background, which was not the first line in his resume.
Firstly, congratulations on getting the recruiter interested! This shows that they have already considered your lack of consumer products experience. You should leverage this by using it to your advantage. Unlike someone entrenched in the field, you can take a fresh look at the business and see it through a different lens which may be exactly what they need. Make sure that you focus your attention on your strengths and past accomplishments and think about how you can use those to benefit this new company. Find out as much as you can about the sporting goods industry, the company’s competitors and their position in the marketplace. Read magazines, attend a trade association meeting, talk to friends in the consumer products field so that you can speak the language when you are interviewing. Show passion for the field. Sometimes, interest, curiosity and passion can trump specific industry experience.
Make a grid and place what they are looking for in a candidate in one column and how you meet those requirements in the next column. Present this to the recruiter. Consider offering to write a proposal introducing your ideas on how you might implement an effective marketing strategy.  Â
You may find the following resources helpful:
www.retail-leaders.org
www.nrf.org (National Retail Federation)
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Useful web sites covering news and trends:
www.stores.org
www.retail-merchandiser.comÂ
www.retailnet.com
Breaking into the UK Market
January 7, 2008 9:46 am
I would like to search for jobs within Europe, especially the UK (I am currently based in the US). Are there any hints and tips as to the best way to break into the UK market?
The first thing you may want to do is visit the UK for a couple of weeks and network with Executive Recruiters if possible. Be aware that if your experience is limited to the US, it can be more difficult to be considered unless you have specific experience that is desired and lacking within the UK. Be prepared to express your unique selling points to communicate the reasons why you should be hired over someone who is a native of that country. Consider purchasing newspapers some of which are available online: Â
- The Financial Times in London. Jobs are advertised in this newspaper and I am told that this is a common vehicle for potential candidates to find jobs.
- The Sunday Times is another great source for high profile jobs in London.
- The Guardian which comes out each Monday has a media focus.
- Marketing Week is targeted to the consumer industry.Â
Other tips:
- Sign up on career networking sites and locate people in the UK and other areas of Europe to find business connections.
- Contact search firms in the US who have offices in Europe and ask to be put in their European database. Many firms keep separate databases.
- Read books on European jobs - “How to Get a Job in Europe†by Robert Sanborn, ED.D.
