Business Week has released a Special Report on the “World’s Most Influential Headhunters,” and the time is certainly ripe. Those with secure jobs will find the Report worth skimming at least, and those who are out of work will want to read with care. The leader notes that the “world’s top headhunters control access to the lion’s share of C-suite succession and leader-replacement searches for the world’s largest corporations,” and continues in a vein more relevant to hedge fund players: “Their influence also extends to the top ranks of the most ambitious smaller companies, which understand how crucial top talent is and are willing to pay for it.” That certainly applies to hedge funds.
Over a dozen topics comprise the Report, such as:
- “Complete List: Most Influential Headhunters”
- “How to Let the Headhunter Do the Job”
- “Video: Acing the Headhunter Interview”
The hundred individuals who make the cut are all profiled, with contact information and brief statements of philosophy and advice.
The article, “How To Manage Your Executive Résumé,” may be of special interest right now. Related advice, specific to advancing in the hedge fund industry, can be found in the interviews with hedge fund recruiters on this site. And cross-referencing Business Week’s top 100 list with our index of hedge fund recruiters will create an excellent industry employment resource.
The hedge fund industry is arguably doing better in Europe than in the USA, and better still in Asia. In an article entitled “Hedge-fund Mania Hits Asia”, BusinessWeek reports: “From Tokyo to Singapore, hedge funds are as hot as Thai chili peppers.” Jim Rogers, co-founder of the Quantum Fund, says: “I am told a new hedge fund is being set up in Asia every other day.” So after last week’s report of strong hiring at European and American hedge funds, it is appropriate to consider the hiring picture in Asia.
Matthew Hoyle International (MHI) is a financial recruiting firm with offices in the UK, the Netherlands and Hong Kong. It’s a boutique-style firm, with a small-feel, personal touch and strong flow of mid- to senior-level positions in Europe and Asia. Hedge Fund Search Digest publishes a steady run of its prop trading jobs, portfolio manager jobs, and quant jobs in Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul and elsewhere. Earlier this year we asked for Matthew’s views on the Asian hedge fund industry, especially from the point of view of candidates in Europe and the USA. In a nutshell: the Asian industry is very robust, but mobility at a global level is not easy even for very talented candidates.
On industry growth:
“More hedge funds are moving into Asia, particularly from Europe. We see special situations, distressed funds and funds involved heavily in private deals as being especially aggressive in 2008. We also expect the Asian convertible space to remain particularly attractive.”
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