Searching Smarter

Compensation is one of the leading motivators when it comes to making a career decision. And in 2026, most sectors across financial services are compensating talent very well. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we're joined by Bryan Liou and Chris Connors, Managing Directors at Johnson Associates, a compensation consulting firm specializing in financial services. We explore the bigg...

Is this the best time to be working in the hedge fund industry? The market has evolved over the past ten years, with a growing demand for the right talent and more opportunities for those looking to build a career in hedge funds. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we're joined by Bradley Saacks, Hedge Fund Reporter at Business Insider, to explore how the hedge fund industry has evol...

There are more similarities between fundamental and quantitative investing than many investment professionals realize. And understanding both, as well as how AI is bringing them closer together, could become a significant advantage for anyone building a career in investing. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we're joined by Ying Hua, Founder and CEO of Implied, an AI-native equity i...

AI is already reshaping the financial services sector. But it isn’t just the candidates with technical skills who are progressing their careers. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Rebecca Patterson. Rebecca is the former Chief Investment Strategist at Bridgewater Associates and a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Drawing on decades of experience acro...

Breaking into financial services has never been easy. But in a world where candidates have access to the same advanced tools, resources, and information, standing out is becoming more challenging than ever. So what separates the candidates who secure the most competitive opportunities from those who get left behind? In this episode, we're joined by Anthony Cheung, Chief Content & Culture Offic...

Being a great analyst has never been about having access to the most information. It's about knowing what matters. As AI tools become more powerful and data becomes easier to access, even for junior analysts, the difference lies in who can apply sound discernment and judgement, and communicate ideas effectively. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we're joined by Andrew Carr, Head of...

Being a “culture fit” used to be enough. Having a certain college or organization on your resume used to be enough. But in 2026, something else is needed if candidates are to stand out. Hiring has evolved since 2010. Candidates are being evaluated on more than just technical ability. And in this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Leonard Syriaque, a talent leader with over 2...

Private equity vs. private credit - where is the money going right now? And where do the opportunities lie for candidates looking for a career within the industry? The dynamics across private equity and private credit are changing fast. From the AI gold rush to shifting recruiting cycles, there are major implications for talent and investors. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re...

For the first time in years, the balance is shifting in the investment banking sector. As activity rebounds and competition for top talent grows, 2026 is shaping up to be a renaissance year for investment banking. And because of this, firms will need to start selling themselves to candidates, not the other way around. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Emily Long, on...

Many of the leading banks are investing heavily into AI. But there are clear winners when it comes to turning that investment into productivity and performance. So what are the leaders doing differently, and what does it mean for jobs in financial services? In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we welcome back Alexandra Mousavizadeh, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Evident, for one of our mos...

The rules around work, hiring, and what a suitable candidate looks like for a hiring manager are changing fast. We’re seeing shifts driven by tech and demographics which are likely to only move further in 2026. That’s why, in this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by David Jones, Labor Market Economist and CEO & Talent Partner at talent assessment, technology, and l...

Getting a foot in the door at the largest multistrat hedge funds has always been one of the highest barriers to entry in finance. And that bar is only getting higher. That’s why in this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re doing something a little different. Our host, Jesse Skaff joins Ethan Kho as a guest on Ethan’s trading and investing podcast Odds on Open, for a conversation...

Many professionals reach a point in their career where they take a moment to stop, reflect, and ask themselves what they truly want next, whether that’s higher pay, better growth opportunities, more flexibility, or a complete shift in direction. With more candidates re-evaluating their priorities, the offer stage has become increasingly delicate, and negotiations are often filled with pressure tha...

Keeping your best talent is often harder than hiring them in the first place. A recent study found that over 20% of HR leaders reported that up to half of their new hires leave within the first 90 days, and 61% of HR leaders say early turnover has increased over the past year. So what’s going wrong in those vital first few months? In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we speak with Chr...

What defines an empowering leader? Authority? Trust? Influence? Julie Flowers, former global HR and talent acquisition leader and now a career coach, joins us in this episode to dive into what empowerment looks like in practice and how leaders can create environments where people can be empowered. With so many new listeners joining us, we’re bringing back this popular early episode. Julie spent th...

Have you ever wondered why so many companies lose their best hires before day one, or watch talented people slip away just as they’re settling in? With so many new listeners joining us, we’re bringing back one of our most popular early episodes, which tackles how to improve candidate experience and keep top talent engaged. In this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Ca...

Standing out in today’s mass-application landscape requires more than aiming for the right opportunities. When you’re competing against potentially thousands of other candidates, you need to take a deliberate approach when it comes to writing your resume and conducting yourself in interviews. That’s why, in this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by career coach, resume writer...

It’s never been easier to apply for roles. But it’s also never felt harder to actually land one. With candidates applying for thousands of jobs in an afternoon, and employers screening resumes with AI tools, how do candidates cut through the noise and stand out? And how can hiring teams rethink their process in a world of mass applications? On this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast,...

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Remote work rules, AI, and the availability of talent across different sectors are reshaping how companies hire and how candidates plan their careers. But are candidates and employers keeping pace? In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Chris Berta, Partner at Laurel Group. Chris is an executive recruiter and thought leader...

What does being a leader really mean? This episode could completely change your perspective. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Mike Irving, Founder of Advanced Business Abilities which helps businesses realise their full potential. Mike brings over 30 years of experience to the table and some unique perspectives on leadership and hiring. This applies to any professi...

In a year marked by global uncertainty and economic volatility, the financial markets have held up in ways few expected. So what’s really going on beneath the surface? In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Lananh Nguyen, U.S. Finance Editor at Reuters. With a background in covering major investment banks, Lananh brings a clear, grounded perspective on the dynamics shapi...

There is a big difference between management and leadership. And that distinction could mean the difference between an empowered, engaged team that is able to stay agile and move an organization forward, and one that is disengaged, and unable to adapt to change. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Matthew Price, author of How-to IQ and Founder of MKP Strategies, to ex...

Labor markets are changing fast, and much of this change is being driven by AI.  But how can financial sciences and services professionals and employers keep up with the pace at which AI is evolving? In this episode, we find out. We're joined by Cary Sparrow, Founder and CEO of WageScape - an expert in labor market intelligence. We dive deep into how AI is transforming skills demand, its&nbsp...

One of the most important topics in recruiting and talent - and one that both candidates and hiring teams need to always be aware of is counter offers. Whether the market is booming or busting, counter offers are always prevalent, but are they a risk, a reward or a red flag? In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Mazza. With Ryan’s eleven years of recruitment expert...

The European financial sciences and services market is seeing more movement, and in this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re sitting down with Matt Nicholson, Managing Director of Selby Jennings Europe, to uncover the findings of our 2025 Talent Report to find out why. We explore the impact of salary and bonus trends on hiring, why volatility can actually be a good thing for the market...