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 joined by Alex Nicoll, Private Equity Reporter at Business Insider, to break down where capital is moving, what trends are shaping the sector, and what it means for those looking for roles within today.

Covered in this episode:

• 1:25 - Private equity vs private credit: where is the money going?
• 2:16 - Who’s making money in the AI gold rush?
• 9:26 - How ESG is being considered today.
• 11:35 - The growing push for employee ownership.
• 12:53 - Is private credit at risk of a bubble?
• 18:54 - The rise of SaaS in private equity deals.
• 20:31 - The current risks in private credit.
• 26:10 - On-cycle recruiting in private equity.
• 32:22 - What skills are required in an AI-driven private equity world?
• 35:31 - How off-cycle recruiting is being impacted.
• 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/

Alex Nicoll on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexonicoll/

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

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

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 on what’s really driving hiring decisions within multistrat hedge funds.

This is a must-listen for anyone interested in hedge fund careers, talent strategy, or the future of buy-side hiring.

Covered in this episode:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 1:03 - How top multi-manager hedge hire the best talent possible.
• 04:50 - Why elite hedge funds target the top academic institutions.
• 07:52 - Why hedge funds spend hundreds of millions recruiting.
• 12:45 - The core differentiator between candidates.
• 16:30 - How recruiters identify the candidates for them.
• 21:38 - Structural trends that are shaping hedge fund hiring.
• 24:58 - Why hedge funds are expanding beyond New York.
• 26:10 - How hedge funds convince talent to relocate.
• 28:54 - The personality traits you need to thrive at a hedge fund.
• 31:43 - Predicting future hedge fund winners.
• 33:35 - What makes elite hedge fund business developers.
• 38:10 - Can business development leaders launch funds?
• 43:52 - Why finance backgrounds matter for fund builders
• 45:20 - The foundations of long-term fulfillment in hedge funds.
• 47:10 - Why elite scientists are transitioning into financial markets.

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/

Ethan Kho on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanrkho/

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 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 that doesn’t need to be there.

In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we sit down with Corinne Wilson, Client Director at Phaidon International, to break down how candidates can approach negotiation conversations with clarity and confidence.

If you’re exploring new roles, or just want to be more prepared when the time comes, we share exactly how to negotiate salary, how to stay calm under pressure, and how to approach negotiation conversations in a way that will get you more of what you want.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:23 - The two questions to ask yourself when considering a new role.
• 3:56 - How to know where your salary and benefits expectations should sit before making the ask.
• 7:15 - Balancing priorities and knowing when to be flexible.
• 10:43 - Exactly what to say when an offer comes in too low.
• 16:00 - How much to share about your current compensation with hiring managers.
• 20:56 - What to share with colleagues and your recruiter about your compensation structure.
• 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

Paige Carlotti on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigecarlotti/

Corinne Wilson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinne-wilson-cw/

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

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 Christine Corson, Managing Director at DSJ Global.

With over a decade of experience helping some of the world’s biggest organisations build and scale teams, Christine shares practical strategies for setting new hires up for long-term success - for both the candidate and the organization.

If you want to uncover the real reasons why onboarding often fails and how to retain talent, this is for you.

Covered in this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:53 - Why so many new hires are leaving within the first 90 days.
• 3:42 - Are more candidates leaving on their own or being asked to leave?
• 5:09 - The onboarding mistakes hiring managers make before day one.
• 7:09 - Early signals that a new hire might be thinking of leaving.
• 9:50 - How often managers should be checking in with new hires.
• 11:22 - How to handle dissatisfaction from new starters.
• 13:25 - 3 onboarding actions to take before a new hire starts.
• 15:44 - 3 onboarding actions to take within the first 90 days of a candidate starting.

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/

Christine Corson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-corson-0a5828bb/

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

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 three decades at Chevron before starting her own business. She 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
• 03:17 - Why people are a company’s most important asset.
• 05:28 - What’s it like working for a Fortune 10 company like Chevron?
• 08:34 - The oil and gas industry as a financial services vehicle.
• 11:45 - Why women are downplaying their worth, value and purpose in the workplace.
• 13:05 - The importance of thought diversity.
• 14:02 - The challenges women still face in the workplace.
• 17:26 - Actionable strategies to discover blind spots around your own value to boost your confidence.
• 21:16 - The gender gap - how much progress have we made?
• 23:16 - Julie’s book and podcast recommendations for personal growth as a professional.
• 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

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

Julie’s 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