Associates for a leading Private Equity Fund

About the client: 

A Private Equity firm headquartered in EMEA was looking to grow its Hong Kong office with a new Associate hire. The firm has been active in the region for over 10 years.  

The challenge: 

They were dissatisfied with their current recruitment provider and felt they were not getting the best quality candidates. They sought additional resources to assist with their talent search in the Hong Kong market. The business specifically needed an associate with three to five years of investment banking or consulting experience. The period to fill the position was tight; they ideally wanted someone within three months. 

Our solution: 

1. Identifying high-potential candidates: We went beyond resumes, delving deep into the client's needs to identify the ideal candidate profile. This included cultural fit, soft skills, and commercial acumen which is the ability to understand how businesses operate and why these factors are important for growth – crucial for associate roles. This thorough approach unearthed exceptional talent - including those not. 

2. Prioritizing Quality: To ensure a seamless integration with the client's team, our consultant prioritized understanding and quality. They conducted a full talent mapping for them in Hong Kong. This in-depth approach allows us to identify top-tier candidates who seamlessly integrate with the client's team and exceed their expectations. 

3. Building Long-Term Relationships: Our consultant fostered a strong working relationship with the client, exceeding their initial expectations by becoming a trusted advisor. This resulted in repeat business and the client exclusively using our services for future hires. 

Results: 

The results were impressive. One of the candidates was praised as one of the best interviewees the hiring manager had ever encountered. 

Within three months, our consultant placed three exceptional candidates with the firm. These were highly skilled professionals who were not actively seeking a new job but were a perfect fit for the role. 

Concluding thoughts: 

Our consultant found a qualified candidate for the firm within a tight period by focusing on quality over quantity and going beyond the traditional talent pool. 

This case study highlights the importance of understanding the client's needs and the specific requirements of the role. By taking the time to understand the company’s culture and the ideal candidate profile, we were able to identify potential candidates that would not have been found through a traditional search. This quickly resulted in a successful outcome with qualified candidates.