Searching Smarter – Détails, épisodes et analyse

The path to a career in portfolio management isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. With the industry evolving and the bar raising, what’s the best way to break into the hedge fund sector today?

Doug Garber, host of the investment podcast, Pitch The PM and experienced investor, has worked at some of the biggest names in the hedge fund industry, including Millennium and Citadel.

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, he shares what it really takes to succeed as a PM, the importance of process in investing, and how aspiring traders and financial services professionals can stand out in today’s market.

Covered in this episode:

• 2:00 – Doug’s journey into financial services and how he secured roles at Millennium and Citadel.
• 12:19 – Why process is everything in investing.
• 13:47 – Understanding the ins and outs of a portfolio manager role.
• 23:30 – Owning your investment process - what it means and how big firms do it.
• 28:03 – The role of research in a hedge fund’s success.
• 30:53 – Is sell-side experience essential to break into the buy-side?
• 35:14 – How the talent bar is changing in investment roles.
• 38:40 – How aspiring traders and financial services professionals can stand out in today’s market.
• 41:09 – Is investing in AI underhyped or overhyped?
• 43:59 – Behind the scenes of The Pitch the PM podcast.

If you're currently navigating a hedge fund or investment management career, this conversation is packed with insider insights to help you take the next step.

LEARN MORE

Pitch The PM - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitch-the-pm/ 

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Doug Garber on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-garber-42aa508/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

The talent outlook within hedge funds is evolving. With AI and data-driven investing expanding, what skills separate highly sought-after talent from the rest?

In this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Marc Greenberg, a lifelong long/short equity expert who has worked across the buy and sell side as an analyst, portfolio manager, and consultant. Now, Marc supports medium-sized hedge funds through his firm, Greener Pastures.

We dive into how hedge funds attract and assess talent in today's landscape. We explore emerging skill sets, the quantamental approach to investing, and why hiring decisions are more critical than ever.

If you're in hedge fund recruiting, or looking to break into the industry, this episode is packed with insights you need to hear.

• 2:05 - Marc’s career journey to building Greener Pastures.
• 5:24 - Why hedge funds must start strong with tech and talent.
• 7:35 - Why hiring decisions are the most important factor in a hedge fund’s success.
• 9:21 - How and why the talent bar has been raised in hedge funds.
• 11:15 - The emerging skill sets that separate top performers.
• 15:42 - The critical skills hedge funds are looking for.
• 16:59 - Quantamental vs. systematic investing - where is the hedge fund industry headed?
• 21:08 - A look into the future with Greener Pastures.
• 23:14 - Underhyped or overhyped - Will quantamental investing overtake fundamental strategies as AI advances?

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Marc Greenberg on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-greenberg-cfa/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

The second in our two-part intro series to Searching Smarter is with James Martin, who has built a career on recruiting the top talent in the world to joining both big tech and financial services firms. Prior to his current role at Delinea, James was a Global Recruitment Lead for Google and a consultant in the quantitative finance space for Selby Jennings. In today's episode, he sits down with host Oliver Cooke to discuss the fierce competition between big tech and finance in acquiring the best talent in the world, selling a career in finance vs one in tech, inclusive hiring practices across industries and much more. 

The first in our two-part intro series to Searching Smarter is with guest Angus Dobbie, a corporate recruiting executive with over 30 years of experience in the industry. We were lucky enough to grab Angus as he transitions into his next role, so you'll hear him at his most honest, providing insights into the recruiting world of a large financial institution—without the corporate spin.

What does it take to build a cyber-ready workforce in financial services? As AI evolves, so do the challenges and opportunities in the cybersecurity sector. 

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Giancarlo Hirsch, Managing Director at Glocomms - Phaidon International’s technology brand.

Gianocarlo specializes in technology talent. He shares insights into the most in-demand cybersecurity skills, the impact of AI on job roles, and what hybrid working looks like within the industry.

Whether you're a hiring manager looking to future-proof your cybersecurity team or a candidate wondering where the biggest career opportunities lie, this episode is for you.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro.
• 2:23 - What does the talent market in cybersecurity look like today?
• 4:45 - The most highly sought-after skillsets within technology and cybersecurity.
• 9:25 - Identity authentication and its impact on talent needs.
• 11:58 - Understanding authentication and what’s happening behind the scenes.
• 16:08 - Is AI taking cybersecurity jobs?
• 16:35 - How AI is benefiting and developing cybersecurity roles.
• 19:11 - How cybersecurity companies are incorporating AI solutions.
• 19:32 - What hybrid work looks like for cybersecurity teams and who has the most leverage.
• 22:52 - Underhyped or overhyped: The demand for cybersecurity roles.

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://www.selbyjennings.com/

Phaidon International - https://www.phaidoninternational.com/

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Giancarlo Hirsch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gchirsch/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

As AI transforms the banking and financial sector, the gap between leading and lagging organizations is widening. But what does this mean for talent, innovation, and the industry’s future?

In this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Alexandra Mousavizadeh, CEO and Co-Founder of financial services indexing and rating company, Evident.

From leading banks’ strategies to the evolving role of generative AI, Alexandra shares insights on how AI is changing the way banks hire, innovate, and use their data.

Whether you're a hiring manager navigating the rise of AI in financial services or a candidate wondering how AI will impact your career, this episode dives deep into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of banking.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:00 - Insights from the recent Evident AI symposium in New York City.
• 2:52 - Alexandra’s journey to founding Evident AI.
• 5:45 - Which banks are leading in AI adoption?
• 10:34 - What are the leading banks looking for when it comes to talent?
• 13:03 - How banks are incorporating AI research.
• 17:20 - How can large language models (LLMs) make financial services more efficient?
• 17:58 - Is AI taking over banking roles?
• 20:41 - How storage and utilization of data is becoming a key focus.
• 23:30 - What’s overhyped and underhyped about AI in financial services?
• 24:34 - When can we expect AI to fully integrate into our everyday lives?
• And much more…

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.



LEARN MORE

The Evident AI Index - https://evidentinsights.com/ai-index/ 

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/

Alexandra V. Mousavizadeh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-mousavizadeh/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

Fostering an inclusive workplace is a top priority for many of today's business leaders, especially when it comes to the financial sciences & services industry.

Converting intent into action can often be a challenge, however, so that's why Julie Flowers is the perfect guest for this episode.

Julie spent three decades at Chevron in global HR and talent acquisition roles before starting her own business dedicated to coaching and empowering seasoned career women to achieve their full potential.

Julie views people as a company’s number one asset and believes that there is huge untapped potential within the female workforce. Julie shares actionable strategies for recognizing your worth, overcoming self-doubt, and advocating for yourself in your career.

If you’re seeking practical advice and inspiration to advance your career or better support your teams, this episode is a must-listen.

Covered in this episode:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:24 - Why people are a company’s most important asset.
• 07:21 - What’s it like working for a Fortune 10 company like Chevron?
• 10:51 - The oil and gas industry as a financial services vehicle.
• 12:35 - Why Julie has chosen to coach women, and why women are downplaying their worth, value and purpose in the workplace.
• 16:04 - The challenges women still face in the workplace.
• 19:51 - Actionable strategies to discover blind spots around your own value to boost your confidence.
• 23:46 - The gender gap - how much progress have we made?
• 25:42 - Julie’s book and podcast recommendations for personal growth as a professional.
• And much more…

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

Elevate YOU Coaching - https://elevateyoucoaching.org/ 

Julie’s new podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/savvy-sisters-cocktail-conversations/id1778977988 

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Julie Flowers on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-flowers-936b2753/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

The financial services market across Europe has seen a dynamic year in 2024. So, what does this mean for employers, job seekers, and the future of the industry?

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we're joined by Matt Nicholson, Managing Director of Selby Jennings Europe, who brings with him over sixteen years of experience in the EMEA recruitment sector.

We dive deep into the biggest trends and takeaways from 2024 and explore what’s on the horizon for 2025, covering everything from the implications of bonus cap removal to rising career and expansion opportunities in the Middle East.

Whether you're a hiring manager within financial services, or a candidate navigating the financial services job market, this conversation is packed with insights to help you shape your strategy for the year ahead.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:05 - A review of the European financial services market trends in 2024.
• 4:05 - Can we expect a slowdown in market volatility anytime soon?
• 4:34 - How the talent bar has changed on the buy-side.
• 6:37 - What financial services firms are really looking for on resumes.
• 8:35 - Where the most hiring activity happened in 2024 and what finance roles were in demand.
• 12:14 - A look at the sales and trading sector across London and Europe.
• 14:50 - How the lifting of the banking bonus cap is impacting financial services industry.
• 17:13 - Will the removal of the bonus cap lead to increased retention or drive more attrition?
• 21:04 - Why we’re seeing more financial services firms expand into the Middle East and what it means for candidates.
• 24:04 - What’s the outlook for  European financial services in 2025?

Thank you so much for listening to Searching Smarter in 2024. We'll be back with our first episode of 2025 on January 29th.

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Matt Nicholson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattnicholson100/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

The Wall Street talent pipeline is facing big shifts, from the influence of private equity firms to the way roles are changing within the sector. 

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we sit down with Dan DeFrancesco, Deputy Editor and Anchor for Insider Today, to get a look into some of the biggest trends in financial services and the impact they are having on the talent market.

With years of experience reporting on the issues impacting talent and organizations, Dan shares insights into the current state of Wall Street junior talent, the expanding role of private credit, and how data centers and AI are reshaping the roles that firms are hiring.

This episode isn’t just for job seekers, recruiters, or hiring managers -the topics we cover are relevant to anybody working in or impacted by the financial services market. 

In this episode, we cover:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:41 - The Wall Street junior talent pipeline in investment banking and private equity: how it’s evolving and what this means for job search.
• 5:08 - The impacts of changes in the junior talent pipeline.
• 8:15 - Is AI upending junior roles within financial services?
• 11:32 - The current state of the private credit market and what it means for careers within the sector.
• 15:00 - Potential resume red flags and perceptions within the industry.
• 20:26 - How the rising need for data centers is reshaping investment and hiring priorities.
• 28:18 - Insights from recent earnings reports from U.S. investment banks and what they mean for the M&A market.
• 32:02 - Can we expect a return to normalcy in the job market within financial services?
• 35:01 - What would a “soft landing” look like for recruiters? Is a return to the hiring trends of 2021-2022 possible?

Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.

NOTE: Please be aware that our next episode will be available on December 4th, to avoid the Thanksgiving holiday.

LEARN MORE

Subscribe to Dan’s newsletter, Insider Today: https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ 

Dan DeFrancesco on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-defrancesco-29b12449/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw

2024 has shaken up the recruitment landscape, especially in financial sciences and services. With current talent acquisition trends such as slow hiring and tighter budgets, how can candidates and recruiters stay ahead in the job market?

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we sit down with 15-year recruitment veteran, John Jurasin. John has worked in supply chain and vendor management across a variety of sectors, and we dissect the industry trends we experienced in the 2024 hiring market, so that you can be more prepared for 2025.

Whether you’re an employer or a job seeker trying to stay ahead of the recruitment curve for next year, this episode is for you.

Covered in this episode:

• What we learned about the trends driving the 2024 recruitment market.
• How the post-COVID hiring boom in 2023 flipped in 2024 and why.
• How job seekers and recruiters can apply these hiring lessons and techniques in 2025.
• A focus on skills in an employer-led market: The best ways candidates on the sidelines can get back in the hiring game and stay relevant.
• What are the latest external factors that are impacting hiring?
• Why client relationships are crucial during slow periods in the recruitment market.
• And more…

If you get value from this episode, subscribe to the Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you don’t miss the next one.

LEARN MORE

Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70

Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0

CONNECT

Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/

John Jurasin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jurasin-ii-mba-7a563619/ 

LISTEN

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw