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, one of the most successful investment banking recruiters in Selby Jennings’ history and a true expert on the market.

Emily breaks down what’s driving the surge in hiring activity, how the talent bar is evolving, and what both candidates and firms need to understand to stay competitive.

If you’re working in investment banking or looking to break into the sector, this episode will help you understand how to position yourself strategically in this critical period.

Covered in this episode:

1. 0:00 - Intro.
2. 1:15 - How high is the talent bar in investment banking right now?
3. 2:32 - What’s driving the uptick in activity in 2026?
4. 3:08 - How candidates can stand out in a competitive market.
5. 4:46 - How firms can attract the right talent in a candidate-driven market.
6. 7:37 - What firms need to be aware of in this hiring environment.
7. 9:49 - The role bonuses play in attracting top performers.
8. 11:4 - What most affects bonus outcomes?
9. 13:17 - How candidates can leverage counter offers strategically.
10. 15:28 - How AI is affecting investment banking - are roles at risk?
11. 17:45 - What’s exciting candidates about AI?
12. And 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

CONNECT

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

Emily Long on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-long-hire

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

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 most forward-looking conversations of the year.

We unpack the latest findings from the Evident AI Index, which ranks global banks on AI usage and maturity, and reveals the growing gap between the leaders and the laggards.

We explore how banks are actually implementing AI, whether white-collar jobs are at risk, how teams are upskilling, and which skills are now most in demand.

If you work anywhere near finance or AI, this episode will give you a clear view of where the industry is heading.

Covered in this episode:

1. 0:00 - Intro
2. 1:35 - The pace of AI adoption in banks - what’s new in 2026 and how it’s impacting financial services.
3. 3:46 - How banks are implementing AI.
4. 6:11 - What the data shows about AI replacing white-collar jobs.
5. 6:54 - How teams are upskilling with AI.
6. 10:34 - What separates banks getting real value from AI vs. those that aren’t.
7. 12:32 - The skills banks are hiring for in this AI landscape.
8. 17:25 - What the leading banks are doing differently.
9. 20:39 - What AI-driven talent is looking for in employers.
10. 24:25 - What sectors are bringing value to financial services as talent moves.
11. And 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

CONNECT

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

Alexandra Mousavizadeh on LinkedIn - https://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

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 leadership development company, Mercer Talent Enterprise. We break down what’s coming next, and what both candidates and employers need to pay attention to heading into 2026.

From how graduates can navigate a new career while AI technologies rapidly advance, to the traits that will separate top candidates from the rest, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate what’s ahead with clarity.

Covered in this episode:

1. 00:00 - Intro
2. 01:22 - What’s changing across the talent landscape in 2026?
3. 03:22 - Where demand is rising for graduates.
4. 03:43 - How people staying in jobs longer changes the workplace.
5. 07:57 - The number one trait the next generation needs to develop in 2026.
6. 09:58 - How to position yourself strategically as a candidate as technology advances.
7. 12:10 - ‘AI CV tells’ - what hiring teams can spot immediately.
8. 13:56 - How hiring analysis is evolving and how standout candidates are being identified.
9. 18:02 - How generational shifts are changing candidate evaluation.
10. 20:45 - How the next generation can challenge outdated workplace assumptions.
11. 23:40 - Why education struggles to keep pace with new technology and ways of working.
12. And 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

CONNECT

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

David Jones on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barrie-jones/

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