At the intersection of fast-paced technological innovation and ever-evolving hiring demands, our tech-focused consultants build teams that drive success in fintech and beyond.
Nathaniel Long is one such Hunter Bond consultant; join us as we catch up with him to hear some of his insights and unique perspectives as an expert in his niche…
Hey Nat, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us today. Can you start by telling us about your specialisms?
Nat: So, I work on all sorts of quantitative technology roles, from graduate level to senior engineers. My focus is mainly on the Montreal/North American market, but I’ve been known to also work roles in London and globally on occasion. In terms of the quality of candidates I look for and clients I support, I really can’t overstate it, we’re talking elite of the elite.
What are you most excited about for the future of fintech?
Nat: I’m most excited about the continued innovation and disruption in digital banking, cryptocurrency/blockchain, and AI-powered financial services. Fintech is transforming how we manage money and it’s really thrilling to be in a position where I’m building some of these teams who are at the forefront of it all!
How did you know recruitment was for you?
Nat: Initially I got into recruitment after a few friends mentioned to me that I had the right sort of personality for it. I’m confident in my networking abilities and really enjoy the fast-paced nature and variety you get from being in recruitment.
Why did you join Hunter Bond?
Nat: I was aware of Hunter Bond for a while thanks to our huge presence on LinkedIn. The more I learnt about the company, the more I felt it was the place for me – we partner with some unbelievable clients and the chance to work with the elite fintech’s in the market couldn’t have appealed to me more.
And how have you found it here so far?
Nat: It’s been brilliant! The resources and tools here plus the flexibility offered to work from home create that solid balance which helps you to succeed. But my favourite part is actually coming into the office because there’s a great collaborative learning environment, everyone is out to better each other and genuinely want them to succeed.
We’re currently in a major recruitment drive ourselves as part of our exciting growth plans. Do you have any advice for anyone looking to start their career in recruitment with us?
Nat: I’d say the most important thing is to deeply understand the industry you are going into and the sectors you want to work in, so in our case that would be fintech. Do as much research as you can and talk to experienced recruiters to get some firsthand insight. Even once you start in your first role, invest time into building a strong professional network with candidates, potential clients, and even other recruiters in the same space. It’s really important to make a name for yourself and build those relationships. Also, be prepared for anything! It’s not going to be a steady pathway to success - it’s a rollercoaster.
What motivates you?
Nat: The main thing is to be able to do all the things I enjoy, whether that’s give back to my parents and help them do things they’d love to do, travel, take mates out and pay for everything, that sort of thing. I want to be that guy who can support and treat everyone else, so I’d definitely say I’m money-motivated and very much incentivised by the brilliant commission structure at Hunter Bond.
Finally, this one’s for our candidates: what’s the most common mistakes you see in applications that might be hurting their chances?
Nat: Not highlighting relevant skills in your CV is a big one for me. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve called up a candidate and found out they actually have all these incredibly useful skills that would give them an edge that they just haven’t included in their CV! Unfortunately, recruiters only have so many hours in a day and can only make so many calls, so it pains me to think of all the incredible talent who don’t make it through the screening stage because of this.
A second one would be underestimating cultural fit importance – yes, the required skills are crucial, but so is being able to gel with the team you could join. Have you asked yourself if you share the values and ethos of the firms you’re applying for?
Lastly, lack of interview preparation. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said, “By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”
Thanks, Nat!
Nat: Cheers! And if anyone out there is looking for their next fintech opportunity, reach out to me at nlong@hunterbond.com and I’ll see what I can do.
