I'm looking for a junior or mid-level executive position in the
financial industry (e.g. hedge funds, investment banks) or at a
"technology-focused" firm (e.g. Google, IBM).  I would like contact
information (names and numbers) for appropriate executive recruiters
in California and Chicago. I'm looking for a reasonable selection of
firms that can work to place me on a 2-4 month time scale.

I want viable firms only (that match my needs and who would find my
resume appropriate), so a "mini-resume" is attached below.  I will pay
and tip well for good information.

- I work in Information Technology at a top-tier global investment
bank in the U.S.  I have >5 years of experience in this industry.  My
officer rank is "Director".
- I have Ivy league degrees in Physics and Computer Engineering,
and an MBA from a top-tier school.
- I have worked as senior developer, architect, and project manager. 
I'm used to managing teams of 10-20 people.
- I have a great deal of product knowledge in Interest Rate and Credit
Derivatives, particularly relating to trade capture, maintenance,
settlement + confirmation.
- I'm familiar with a broad range of technology.  Some of my more
interesting work relates to cross-platform object-relational
persistence, report generation via grid computing, rule engines, and
automated event-driven confirmation.

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 30 Dec 2003 10:44 PST

Hello, expat!

 Could you please clarify a few issues for me? 

 1. You are requesting names of Executive Recruiters in Chicago and
California. Is this because you only want a job in one of these two
locations?

 2. You have provided a mini-resume and have stated that you would
like a junior or mid-level executive position in a financial or
technology-focused firm. However, it would be helpful if you could be
more definitive in the type of position you are seeking.

* While I understand your previous job description, I am not sure if
you are wanting to branch out into other areas.

 For example, there are a number of excellent Financial Recruitment
firms but they are more focused on Analyst, Accounting and Managerial
positions. Please take a look at the following and let me know if I am
correct in ruling these out:

Garrelliwong
http://www.garelliwong.com/services.htm
(scroll down to the placement of candidates)

Factor Ten
http://www.factor-ten.com/ourfocus.html

 
3. Now, please take a look at the following recruitment firms and tell
me if they are more along the lines of what you are seeking:

Heidrick and Struggles - Chicago
http://www.heidrick.com/Our+Expertise/
(see Financial Services section)


DHR International - Offices in Chicago and throughout California
http://www.dhrintl.net/services/industry.asp
(Click on Financial Services)

"DHR International is ranked the fifth largest retained executive
search firm in the United States with an expansive global reach. It is
among the top 10 in world revenue, and number one in office locations
and geographic coverage.

==

 I want to be sure that I, or another researcher, can pinpoint the
precise type of recruiting firm to match your goals. Anything further
you can add will be very helpful.

Thanks!

umiat

---

Clarification of Question by expat-ga on 30 Dec 2003 12:40 PST

Thank you for the clarification request.  To address your points:

1.  Yes, I'm requesting recruiter contacts in California (really,
Silicon Valley / San Fran would be optimal) and Chicago because these
are places I would like to live.  I currently live in Chicago.  I
should add that I'm not adverse to the Pacific Northwest (Seattle,
Redmond) if there is an exceptional opportunity.

I wouldn't mind contact information for a national recruiting firm
with a significant presence in these areas.  What I'm really looking
for are recruiters that are interested and eager to place someone with
my qualifications and experience.

2.  As I mentioned, I have worked as a developer, architect, and
project/product manager.  I'm looking for a position that involves:

- Working as a project or programme manager to structure development
of innovative products,
- Working as a product manager, combining relevant business and
technological expertise,
- Working as a senior architect for a business stream, setting technology strategy.

Some examples in the financial technology industry might include:

- Working for a large bank or hedge fund to manage the development of
a Credit Derivatives technology platform to support a growing trading
business.
- Director of E-commerce integration strategy for automated interbank
and exchange trading (e.g. Swapswire consortium).
- Product manager for a trade capture & execution stack for structured
derivatives, encompassing tally, settlement, confirmation, and
downstream reporting.
- Programme manager for introduction of workflow-based automatic
front-to-back settlement and confirmation processes, dramatically
reducting operational cost.

Examples in "Pure Technology" may include:

- Managing the migration of monolithic business processes to flexible
grid computing platforms.
- Introducing rule-based systems in E-commerce and internal data flow
systems to increase operational efficiency and business logic
transparency.

You are correct to rule out Garelli Wong and Factor Ten; these firms
focus on recruiting accountants and those who work in the office of
the CFO.  My strength lies in technology, particularly the
technological problems as they relate to the massive processing and
risk management requirements of a large derivatives trading company. 
I have great expertise in building big, cutting-edge technology
systems.

3.  Heidrick and Struggles is definitely on the right track.  My only
worry is that I may not be high enough on the corporate ladder to meet
their client requirements!  I imagine their "Technology->Systems and
Software" and "Financial Services Technology and Operations"
departments are good matches to my needs.  How would I go about
getting a face-to-face interview with these people?

DHR International seems decent for Financial recruiting, although they
look weak on the technology side.

Thanks,
expat

Hello, expat-ga!

 Happy 2004!! And a big "Thank You" for you patience while I completed this answer!

 I have searched numerous lists and websites of executive recruiters
in Chicago and California and believe I have narrowed down the best
selections available through an online search. I must stress that
although it was quite easy to rule out the search firms that were
"not" applicable to your needs, it was far more difficult to find and
select the recruitment agencies which "might" offer positions in
companies that could be of interest to you.

 While you have provided very specific information pertaining to the
"types" of ideal jobs that would be of interest, there is no real way
to know whether any of the recruitment firms I have listed can find a
job for you along the exact parameters you would like.....or, if they
can find a suitable employment situation within two to four months.
You will need to talk to recruiters within each firm personally to get
a better idea of what they can do for you.

 Aside from the recruiters I have highlighted, there is another search
method you might want to try on you own. The Kennedy Executive
Recruiter Database allows you to fine-tune your search for executive
recruiters by function and industry for a small fee. Through the
Advanced Search feature, you can narrow down recruitment firms by
location. The only drawback is that you must select at least 30 firms
to review in order to view the listings. However, you may find a gem
hidden in their database that is not readily available in an online
search. See the Kennedy Information Online Executive Recruiter
Database at http://www.kennedyinfo.com/db/db_der_bas.html
 
 I have posted the most promising recruiting firms first, followed by
several others that I consider "possibilities". It was next to
impossible to find agencies focused on the financial sector that also
included IT positions. Therefore, I focused on IT recruitment and
narrowed down the results to firms that represented a wide range of
industries.

 
================
GRAUSS & COMPANY - San Francisco
================
http://www.grauss.com/html/companyprofile.html

"Grauss & Company was founded in 1996 by Bryan & Debra Grauss to
provide effective search and recruitment serving our two core
industries, Financial Services and Information Technology. We take
great pride in conducting our searches with the highest possible
respect of professional ethics and client confidentiality."

"Our Information Technology/Systems Department specializes in placing
IT professionals in companies that are involved in or serve the
financial community. We recruit nationwide for positions ranging from
CTO's, Project Managers, Software Engineers, MIS Managers, LAN/WAN
Administrators, and Computer Technicians. Grauss and Company utilizes
traditional search techniques and "cyberspace search" to effeciently
canvas the country for the right qualified candidates. We are closely
connected with a large network of qualified professionals. We
currently maintain an active database containing thousands of
candidates."

Contact Info
--------------
See Contact names:
http://www.grauss.com/html/contactinfo.html
425 Market Street, Suite 2200
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone number:
415-777-5656
Fax number:
425-699-5834




======================
HEIDRICK AND STRUGGLES - Chicago
======================
http://www.heidrick.com/Our+Expertise/
(see Financial Services section)

You have asked how to get a personal interview. I did call the company
but they must be out of the office until after the New Year. I am sure
a company as well-known as this one makes sure they take the time to
work with their potential candidates face-to-face. I suggest that you
call them to set up an appointment.

Contact Info
--------------
233 South Wacker Drive
Sears Tower - Suite 4200
Chicago, IL 60606-6303
Phone: 312-496-1200




==================
DHR INTERNATIONAL - Chicago and California
==================
http://www.dhrintl.net/services/industry.asp
(Click on Financial Services)

California locations
http://www.dhrintl.net/services/consultantsloc.asp?state=CA

Chicago locations
http://www.dhrintl.net/services/consultantsloc.asp?state=IL




==========
BRIDGEGATE - California
==========
http://www.bridgegate.com/index.htm

"Our approach to executive search is based on the 3R's: Research.
Relationships. Results. We identify the difference makers in sales,
software engineering, human resources, information technology,
marketing, pre/post technical support and finance and accounting
positions. Because we specialize narrowly in high tech and the
internet, we are aware of the hidden market of people that aren't
actively looking for a job. Of course, the ultimate judge of our
results is our clients. We encourage you to explore our site and find
out more."

About the Company, Client List and Management Team:
---------------------------------------------------
http://www.bridgegate.com/about/1a_1.htm#p8

Contact
-------
BridgeGate Irvine 
18401 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 440 
Irvine, CA 92612 
949.553.9200 
949.852.0749 fax  
email us at info@bridgegate.com




POSSIBILITES FOR CONSIDERATION
*******************************


========================
GREGORY LAKA AND COMPANY - Chicago
=========================
http://www.laka.com/web/about.htm

"Gregory Laka & Company is one of the oldest executive search firms in
the country. Established in 1964, Gregory Laka & Company has provided
superior executive search service for nearly 40 years. We have access
to one of the largest databases of computer talent in the executive
search industry, and this enables us to expedite the placement process
for both search candidates and businesses.
  
Candidate area
---------------
http://www.laka.com/web/employment.htm

Client Services
---------------
Information Technology 
Marketing and Sales 
Accounting and Finance 
Management 
Human Resources 
Insurance and Banking Disciplines

Contact Info
------------
Gregory Laka & Company
18201 Morris Avenue
Suite 400
Homewood, IL 60430
Phone: 708-206-2000
Fax: 708-206-2020
Email: info@laka.com 

Downtown Chicago Office:
Gregory Laka & Company
11 East Adams Street
Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-922-7100
Fax: 312-922-7199
Email: chicago@laka.com 




================
BARRETT PARTNERS - Chicago
================
http://www.barrettpartners.com/

"..a Chicago area professional search firm which specializes in the
placement of Accounting/Financial, Information Technology, and
Engineering/Technical professionals in permanent, project, and "temp
to perm" positions. We have a regional focus in the Greater
Chicagoland area including: Cook, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry, and
DuPage Counties, Northwest Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin."

"Our clientele spans the corporate spectrum from start up
organizations to Fortune 500 companies. We work with our region's
major manufacturing concerns, warehouse/distribution networks, public
accounting firms, engineering/consulting companies, financial
institutions, and real estate development interests."

Contact
-------
BARRETT PARTNERS BARRETTEMPS 
100 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1420
Chicago, IL 60602 
Phone: 312-443-8877  
Fax: 312-443-8866 
E-mail: questions@barrettpartners.com 




=======================================
MANAGEMENT RECRUITERS OF SAN JOSE-METRO
=======================================
http://www.mrisanjose.com/

"Management Recruiters of San Jose-Metro has provided high-level
placement and recruiting services to high tech job seekers and
employers for over 25 years. A Top 5 Silicon Valley recruiting firm,
Management Recruiters of San Jose-Metro has deep resources and
expertise within the high tech industry, and we deliver our services
with the utmost discretion and professionalism."

E-commerce section "might" be of interest
http://www.mrisanjose.com/client/cf-ecomm.htm

Contact
-------
17415 Monterey Rd. 
Suite 200 
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
408.779.9050
info@mrisiliconvalley.com




========================
DAVID GOMEZ & ASSOCIATES - Chicago
=========================
http://www.dgai.com/

See the Information Technology Service Section
----------------------------------------------
http://www.dgai.com/p_client_services.asp
"INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY The Information Technology Group at DGA has
evolved with the IT Industry itself into a high-profile practice that
drives the future of the firm. The DGA Technology Group specializes in
three types of searches:

IT Executive Management 
Electronic Business Management 
IT Senior Management.
 
"DGA has expertise and a network of candidates that allows us to raise
candidate quality and shorten the length of the search process. In
each of the three areas, we have worked with clients from Fortune 500s
to Internet Startups on positions ranging from a VP of Electronic
Commerce to Project Managers."

Contact
--------
Please e-mail your resume directly to resumes@dgai.com or create an
on-line profile.

For all other inquiries: 
E-Mail: info@dgai.com
Phone: (312) 346-5525
Fax: (312) 279-2077

Mailing Address:
David Gomez & Associates, Inc.
20 North Clark Street
Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60602




=======================
ALCHEMY SEARCH PARTNERS - San Francisco
=======================
What we do:
http://www.alchemysearch.com/html/whatwedo.html

Contact
-------
San Francisco
120 Montgomery Street Suite 1390
San Francisco CA 94104
Ph. (415)296-9696
Fx. (415)296-0811




=======================
ROY TALMAN & ASSOCIATES - Chicago
=======================
http://www.roytalman.com/sdm/index.cfm

"Roy Talman & Associates is a leading Chicago based search firm
specializing in Information Technology recruitment. Our goal is to
place the most qualified IT candidates with the best jobs in the
market, accurately and efficiently."

"Roy Talman & Associates conducts in-depth, technology-specific
interviews with clients and applicants. We focus on understanding our
applicants and our clients' needs and clearly representing both
parties."

Contact Info:
-------------
150 South Wacker Drive (Corner of Wacker and Adams)  
Suite 2250 
Chicago, IL 60606 
USA 
Phone: (312) 425-1300 
Fax: (312) 425-0100 
Email: information@roytalman.com 




==============
ITEC RESOURCES - Chicago area
==============
http://www.itecresources.com/index.html

"Since 1999, Itec Resources, Inc. has helped companies recruit
technology professionals across a broad range of industries. Our
clients range in size from start-ups to Fortune 500 and represent
every vertical including healthcare, high-tech manufacturing,
financial services and consulting firms."

Please see the following position:

While the following position is located in the Boston/NYC area, it
represents (I believe) the type of position that would interest you. 
http://www.itecresources.com/AIMS/wcc.nsf/3e9328667907c651882567990072f29f/fe77a98fbfae9b0586256b88007f215e?OpenDocument

Contact Info:
-------------
Itec Resources, Inc.
1100 Jorie Boulevard
Suite 120
Oakbrook, Illinois 60625
Phone: 630.571.8300

Geetha.Rajan@itecresources.com
Geetha Rajan, Managing Director, ext. 201

Alan.Nappier@itecresources.com
Alan Nappier, Managing Director, ext 202

Resumes can be submitted to resumes@itecresources.com




==================
EASTRIDGE INFOTECH - California
==================
http://www.eastridgeinfotech.com/AboutUs.asp

"Eastridge Infotech is recognized as a leader in the technology
staffing industry. With more than 30 years of placement experience
integrating talented people with top companies, our recruiting team
places hundreds of information technology professionals in contract,
contract-to-hire, and direct-hire positions each year."

Refer to Technology Section to get an idea of the job positions:
http://www.eastridgegroup.com/Divisions.asp?ID=EIT 

Working With Us
---------------
"We take the time to meet with you personally, so that we can present
you with positions that align with your interests and long-term goals.
We work with you to make sure that your resume is the best reflection
of your skills and abilities. And we won't send you to an interview
unprepared - we want you to have a thorough understanding of the job,
the person or team you will be meeting with, and the company culture."
http://www.eastridgeinfotech.com/JobSeekers/WorkingWithUs.asp


Contact Info:
http://www.eastridgeinfotech.com/ContactUs.asp




=====================
RUSSELL STEPHENS, LLC - California
=====================
http://www.russellstephens.com/

Though this firm focuses solely on recruitment within the financial
services sector, there is no mention of IT positions. However, it is
definitely worth a call.

(Job opportunities in Seattle area, Northern and Southern California)

Contact
---------
San Francisco Office
Russell Stephens, LLC
425 Market Street, Suite 2200
San Francisco, California 94105
phone: (415) 955-0515
fax: (415) 955-0516





OUT OF THE AREA BUT WORTH A PHONE CALL
**************************************


===============================
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT RESOURCES - Arizona
===============================
http://www.integratedmgmt.com/index.htm

"Integrated Management has been in business for over fourteen years
specializing in the recruitment of Derivative Product professionals
working in the Financial Markets in New York, Chicago, London, Hong
Kong, Singapore and Tokyo."

"At Integrated we emphasize a highly disciplined approach to global
recruiting, employing a value added strategy designed to expedite our
clients needs. A professional staff with over ten years average
experience executes this highly developed strategy. This experience
combined with advanced systems technology and a state of the art
operational infrastructure give Integrated the ability to provide
immediate rewards to our clients."

"Our clients are the top Investment Banks, Commercial Banks and
Foreign Banks, as well as Buyside Investment Money Managers and Hedge
Funds."

Contact
-------
51 W. Elliot Road
Suite 108
Tempe, AZ  85284
Telephone: (480) 460-4422
Fax: (480) 460-4424
Email: barry@integratedmgmt.com




================================== 
ANDREW ASSOCIATES EXECUTIVE SEARCH - Oregon
==================================
http://www.andysrch.com/about_andrew_associates.html

"Andrew Associates, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, recruits
nationally for executive management, senior information technology and
financial management, supply chain management, and top-tier technical
level individual contributors in information systems."

Contact
--------
4000 Kruse Way Place 
Building 2 Suite 225
PO Box 2029
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Phone: 503/635-7222
FAX: 503/635-5236

You can submit your resume by e-mail: AAES@andysrch.com



*****



Additional Resources
====================

Chicago Computer Jobs.com
http://www.chicago.computerjobs.com/

You might want to take a look at the following job postings at ExecutivesOnly: 
http://www.executivesonly.com/preview/exresults.cfm?cID=6&jobs=IT



*****


 Finally, you might be interested in contacting certain companies
which provide IT consulting services to the Financial Industry.


Accenture (locations in Chicago and California)
---------
For an overview of their financial consulting services, see: 
http://www.accenture.com/xd/xd.asp?it=enweb&xd=industries\financial\financial_home.xml


Smart and Associates LLP - (Branch office in Chicago) 
--------------------------
http://www.smartassociates.com/index.html
 Technology and Business Process Solutions
 http://www.smartassociates.com/tbps/default.html


Olmstead Associates
----------------------
May be worth contacting even though their office location is in
Massachusetts. "Olmstead Associates and our clients are constantly
looking for experienced professionals. If you have securities industry
and technology experience and have previously worked at banks, mutual
funds, insurance companies or investment managers, we want to hear
from you.
http://olmst.com/jobs.cfm


*****


 I hope at least a few of the firms I have listed prove helpful in
your new job search. If I can clarify anything further for you, please
don't hesitate to ask. I will help to the best of my ability.

 I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors!


umiat 


Google Search Strategy
Executive recruiters
Chicago AND executive recruiters
California and executive recruiters
Executive recruitment firms
Banking technology +executive recruiters
"information technology" +financial recruitment
financial information technology recruitment
technology recruiters California
Banking IT Executive recruitment
Banking "information technology" recruiters
+california +IT executive recruitment
financial technology recruiters
executive recruiters "investment banks"
financial IT recruiters
"Information Technology" executive recruiters +california
IT executive recruiters +california
financial IT executive recruiters +California
Financial industry AND information technology consulting firms

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 01 Jan 2004 23:25 PST

The Accenture link I provided does not seem to work. Try going to
http://www.accenture.com/xd/xd.asp?it=enweb&xd=index.xml
and clicking on the link for "Case Studies", "By Industry",  and then
scrolling down to "Banking".

Thank you, this looks to be a good laundry list of resources.  I shall
follow up with these firms.

expat,

 Thank you so much for you very kind rating and generous tip. I wish
you the very best in the future!

umiat