GUEST COMMENT: I was an investment banker, now I help run a recruitment company
I spent 12 years working in investment banking, but recently left to help grow and manage a recruitment company. I really enjoyed corporate finance: it's intellectually challenging and a great way to learn about business; the transaction side is complex, challenging and hard work, but hugely rewarding. Recruitment is not wholly different: we pitch for new business as much as investment bankers do and it's all about problem solving.
When I worked in banking, I provided advice on M&A and restructuring transactions. I joined Barings (now ING) on the graduate training scheme, and seven years later joined Close Brothers (now DC Advisory Partners). At Close I also started up and ran their graduate recruitment programme, working with an outsourced recruiter to attract the best candidates. It's that company - The Cornell Partnership - that I joined last month.
I've always been passionate about recruitment - attracting bright new talent is one of the most important parts of any business. Employers often assume that good candidates will just come to them, but the best people always have options; you need to entice them.
There's no denying that recruitment has something of a PR problem, although banking has a few PR issues too. The public perception of recruitment has unfortunately been tarnished by the behaviour of some unscrupulous players.
However, this does not preclude the existence of some excellent recruitment firms. Like a good corporate financier, the best firms will form long and trusted relationships with candidates. In an industry known for its moral laxity, a recruitment firm with integrity can truly stand out.
From a candidate's perspective it also helps enormously to have a trusted recruitment partner who's specialised in your industry. Negotiating the maze of financial services jobs isn't easy. Receiving impartial advice from an independent third party makes all the difference.
