Client & Candidate Centric Q and A's

Q: Is Hammer Haley a retained or contingent search firm?  Answer

We do not define our company as one or the other. Most clients contract with Hammer Haley to perform urgent and critical assignments involving dedicated search and delivery accountability. In these situations, there is an engagement or retained relationship. Some relationships are defined as ongoing under annualized retainers while others involve contingency agreements for roles that are deemed less critical or urgent by the employer. In the last instance, Hammer Haley is made aware of the market need and will present qualified and logical candidates as they are surfaced during our daily market travels for other client fee-paid work. Under these terms, it is agreed that Hammer Haley will not be deploying execution assets or committing to defined recruiting blocks against a dedicated search nor being held accountable for time frames, progress reports or potentially even candidates.

Q: What are your search agreement terms?  Answer

See the above as a basis for our explanation. In short, they vary and are based on the nature of the client request and search requirements.

Q: What functions or departments in corporations and private equity do you serve?  Answer

Our 'candidate elite' community is best overlaid on roles involving corporate strategy, corporate development (M&A) and investment execution. These roles are commonly found in functions often described as corporate strategy, corporate development, corporate business development, strategic planning, M&A, internal consulting, PMO and potentially product management or strategic marketing. Specific to private equity, subsets of the 'candidate elite' are qualified and logical for principal investing, operation strategy and business development at the investment firm or portfolio company level.

Q: Do you place pre-MBA's from tier-one management consulting or investment banking in corporate and private equity roles?  Answer

Yes, we are active with pre-MBA's from these environments and these individuals participate in 'candidate elite', bi-directional communications.

Q: What role levels do you fill?  Answer

The majority of our client requests are for first thru third chair roles within a department, function or principal investing team. We also fill individual contributor-level roles involving recent MBA's and pre-MBA's. Relevant corporate titles run the continuum of SVP to analyst.

Q: What industries do you serve?   Answer

We are sector agnostic. Our candidates deliver on the sector and industry segment expertise. From a functional perspective, Hammer Haley is well schooled to discuss growth strategy, operational effectiveness, strategic planning, inorganic growth (M&A), principal investing, post-merger integration and performance management across industry. Additionally, historical search assignments have institutionalized vast industry segment knowledge in healthcare & life science, technology, financial services, consumer services, consumer products, business services, energy and industrials.

Q: What geographies do you serve?   Answer

The majority of our client requests are based in North America. The largest concentration of our historical work and client relationships exist in the Bay Area, New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, DC, Dallas, Atlanta and southern California. From time-to-time, we also entertain client requests for the U.K., India, China and we are evaluating a U.A.E. strategy. Our 'candidate elite' reach and connectivity is truly global.

Q: What is your involvement in PE, VC and Hedge Funds?  Answer

The majority of our client relationships and activities involve middle market private equity and their portfolio companies. We have limited penetration in venture capital and hedge funds. This is not a situation of market access or visibility; the limitations to date have revolved around in-house bandwidth and strategic focus on corporate clients and middle market private equity.

Q: Do you place tier-one management consultants in competitor consulting firms?   Answer

Yes and no. As a business practice, we do not focus on this zero sum game. It is not part of our business plan and does not fit with our model. However, there are situations that arise. Either a tier-one management consulting firm contracts with us for a specific consultant level and industry focus or requests that we inform them of qualified and logical industry talent seeking lateral employment.

Q: Do you place currently employed investment bankers with other investment banking firms?  Answer

Yes and no. As a business practice, we do not focus on this opportunity. However, if a boutique, regional or bulge bracket player approached Hammer Haley with an annualized retained commitment and our role was to provide consulting and transactional services then our interest in pursuing this lateral focus would be greatly enhanced.

Q: How do you attract candidates to your search assignments?  Answer

The 'candidate elite' community is apprised of our search assignments by three primary methods of communication. Phone contact, email and referrals. Considerable primary research, data tagging and sorts are an important, ongoing activity in our efforts. As a client, it should be your expectation that Hammer Haley will be in the market within 24-48 hours of a completed needs analysis and sign-off on your search. Our execution team will immediately begin building traction in identifying and recruiting logical 'candidate elite' targets based on known career levels, industry expertise, geographical preference and skill sets.

Q: Can you be trusted with confidential information?  Answer

Yes. On a daily basis, our firm is in receipt of sensitive data and confidential information from clients and 'candidate elite' alike. To use this data improperly or breach a confidence would be inconsistent with our ethics and principles.

Q: On average, how long does it take you to complete a search assignment?  Answer

Every search is unique and presents multiple variables that impact the timeline. We operate in real-time, conduct thorough vetting and seek to efficiently surface, identify and recruit the market's finest talent available at the time of the search assignment. Based on our narrow niche of corporate strategy, corporate development and investment execution overlaid on the 'candidate elite', we are generally well positioned to present a first round candidate pool inside two weeks of any search assignment; in the event that we are not gaining market traction, we will be well informed by the 'candidate elite' as to why this particular opportunity is not resounding with this unique candidate pool. You will directly benefit from this feedback as it may potentially lead to adjusting our efforts and improving our targeting. As a client, your real-time participation in communicating with Hammer Haley will often dictate the pace and duration of time to search success.

Q: Do you require direct contact with the hiring manager or is it acceptable to work solely through in-house recruitment?  Answer

Yes, we require open lines of communication with the hiring manager but not for the purpose of shielding any information from in-house talent acquisition or HR. Our goal is to deliver qualified and logical talent that is thoroughly vetted for the requirements of the hiring manager and in compliance with company objectives, ethics and hiring practices. Access to the hiring manager will insure that the search process is efficient and on track.

Q: Do you get involved in the negotiation of candidate financial terms?  Answer

We will operate under the guidelines that best fit your needs. Most often, we are directly involved in the verbal presentation of any offer. This is our preferred way to partner as there are associated benefits for all sides; however, there may be instances where we recommend that the client go straight to a direct and formal presentation based on our knowledge of the situation. Our goal, like yours, is to successfully onboard the market's finest available talent whose skills and interests overlay best with your requirements. We are flexible in the approach taken to accomplish a successful outcome.

Q: Why doesn't Hammer Haley provide a traditional 'completed search list' akin to the global nationals?  Answer

For two reasons. First, many of the client agreements that we sign to establish a search fee and terms of engagement prohibit our firm from 'advertising' our relationship. Second, our firm has historical experience providing this data. Unfortunately, and probably due to our success in this narrowly defined candidate population, some in-house talent aquisition departments have improperly used this data as a sourcing and referral list at our expense. For both reasons, we will respectfully decline your request for this information.

Q: Will you provide references in advance of contracting for your services?  Answer

Yes. However, prior to enacting this step in your diligence process, we will ask that you have determined that Hammer Haley is the front-runner to be awarded your assignment and that all other terms of the relationship have already been established. Previous clients and candidates that have agreed to represent Hammer Haley as references are precious. As a high volume search firm, potential clients often make this request for references. Hammer Haley has committed to our references that we will only reach out with requests for their time on 'live' situations.

Q: As a first-time client, what assurance can you provide that we will be in receipt of 'candidate elite' candidates?  Answer

We would be hard pressed to provide candidates not of the 'candidate elite' definition ilk. The bulk of our time is spent with these candidates. However, we do not discriminate and will source and present the market's most qualified talent for your role.

Q: How is that you are able to have such a close association with currently employed candidates at the tier-one management consulting firms and investment banks? What is in it for their employers and why do they allow it?  Answer

We cannot speak for any of these firms; however, our perspective of this situation is as follows. Hammer Haley has a symbiotic and transparent relationship with the 'candidate elite' employed in tier-one management consulting firms and investment banks. Our bi-directional communications are the result of years of respectful outreach, focus and permission based conversations. We understand their business, career levels, compensation and inflection points. We also interact with these individuals and firms in a thoughtful and non-intrusive manner. When a candidate from one of these environments enters into transition, our F1000 client and middle market private equity relationships are a direct overlay with where these employers would like to see their alumni situated. From this perspective, our interests are aligned and many of these firms are now benefiting from these placements. From Analyst to Managing Director or Partner, our goal has always been to provide the 'candidate elite' with best-of-breed employer opportunities, market intelligence and networking to further their career progression interests.

Q: Who is your direct competition?  Answer

Executive search is a highly competitive industry. Due to our narrow and targeted specialization, there are few firms that compete directly with us on a domestic, U.S. basis. At the more senior role levels, valid competition comes from the well-recognized names of the global national search firms. For second, third-chair or individual contributor roles, our competition varies by geography and industry segment. Additionally, we often compete and collaborate with in-house executive search staffing departments and on-contract, preferred vendor generalists.

Q: As a potential client, why should we contract with Hammer Haley versus other firms that operate in this space?  Answer

As a core business principle, Hammer Haley will not denigrate market competition. We are pleased to have the opportunity to share the merits of working with our firm and are confident that you will find us to be committed professionals that have extreme expertise in delivering on corporate strategy, corporate development and investment execution roles that are fulfilled by the 'candidate elite'.

Q: What are your goals for the firm?  Answer

Beyond providing financially for the employees and stakeholders of Hammer Haley, we are guided by a larger vision. We call it, 'Project 2010'. Our mission, for Hammer Haley to become the unequivocal market leader in placing the 'candidate elite' into Corporate America for first thru third chair roles in corporate strategy, corporate development (M&A) and investment execution. Additionally, we are committed to conducting our affairs in an ethical manner, always of high standard and in acknowledgment that there are opportunities where we can give back financially to our communities.

Candidate Centric Questions

Q: I am a pre-MBA, tier-one management consultant or investment banker. Are you interested in learning about my background and can you help me?  Answer

Yes. We would appreciate the opportunity to hear from you and look forward to an extended relationship regardless of whether you are targeting an MBA program, staying with your current employer or seeking a corporate client-side opportunity.

Q: Can Hammer Haley assist me in my job search if my academic credentials and work history fall outside the 'candidate elite' definition appearing on the Home Page?  Answer

It depends. The 'candidate elite' is the heartbeat of our specialization. These are the individuals that we generally take to market as they possess the backgrounds our clients generally seek when engaging our services. If your history does not align with our 'candidate elite' or client function specialization, it is unlikely that our team will be able to deliver any value to you in your job search process. As a recommendation, you are best served working with other specialist firms segmented potentially by function, industry, geography and or level that more closely align with your background and career interests. Please note, we do not discriminate and if an opening were to present itself where you are a qualified and logical candidate then, of course, we would work together on pursuing this opportunity.

Q: As a tier-one management consultant, are you able to present me with opportunities in private equity?  Answer

Yes, with a caveat. Often, the perception of the PE employer is that your background does not include the robust financial modeling/engineering skills that they seek, in relation to investment banking backgrounds. This is a common objection and one that you should consider as you assess targeting this industry. However, many middle market firms will hire tier-one management consultants for portfolio company operation strategist positions. You will compete favorably for these roles versus often being at a competitive disadvantage for principal investing opportunities within the larger firms.

Q: As a 'candidate elite' coming out of tier-one management consulting or investment banking, what should I anticipate when it comes to role level, title and compensation in my transition to the corporate client-side?  Answer

For starters, many 'candidate elite' are leaving tier-one management consulting or investment banking based on a quality of life decision. This trade-off in hours and grind should be considered when weighing compensation levels in the corporate environment. As a generalization, coming from tier-one management consulting, your base wage will likely be close to or on-par with your current environment but don't be surprised when your bonus opportunity falls short of your present situation. Corporate employers are able to mitigate some of this discrepancy by offering equity for potential downstream wealth creation. As an investment banker, the leap to the client-side usually means a significant wage compromise. Obviously, the greater your specialization or stature as principal or partner may impact your ability to negotiate unique levels of compensation. Titles are generally impacted by industry or sector custom and range widely by employer. Our recommendation is that you keep your ego in check when assessing this component of any opportunity and focus on the role's purview, visibility, impact and trajectory rather than be overly consumed by the title.

Q: As a candidate, why should I be transparent with Hammer Haley search consultants regarding historical positions held, reasons for leaving and compensation?  Answer

Hammer Haley is under contract with clients to provide accurate and thorough vetting of candidates that are presented. Beyond being professional in our approach, it is a business necessity that we disclose your situation accurately so that the employer has the necessary information on which to base their decision. Late-stage surprises are never welcome and have killed more than a few agreements for all involved. Relative to compensation, if coming out of tier-one management consulting or investment banking, odds are, we already have a decent perspective on your annual income. In addition to acquiring specific information, your response to this question affords an early indication of your integrity and what it might be like to work with you on a 'live' opportunity. Our strong recommendation is to always shoot straight. Understand that we are working in everyone's best interest and your willingness to provide accurate information does position you best for a winning candidacy.

Q: As a member of the 'candidate elite' community, why do all 'candidate elite' members benefit when I communicate a known hiring need with Hammer Haley?  Answer

From a market intelligence perspective, the more information that our recruiters have relative to market openings, whether we acquire the right to provide service on the role or not, aids our staff in being knowledgeable in the markets that we serve. This intelligence may prove helpful to you or others in any number of ways. In the event that your tip leads to our acquiring this search, you have benefited the 'candidate elite' community, Hammer Haley and yourself long-term. We are in the people business, your aid in identifying an opening will be rewarded in our efforts on your behalf into the future.

Q: Why should I consider 'paying it forward' with Hammer Haley execution staff relative to referrals within my peer network on Hammer Haley exposed openings or simply through general introductions?  Answer

If you understand the concept of 'paying it forward', you can easily comprehend the potential benefit derived from these efforts. When everyone in our 'community' looks out for each other, over time, everyone wins. The greater Hammer Haley's market presence and capabilities become, the more opportunities and options await you when your time comes to test the candidate waters. In turn, our staff is mandated to think creatively and proactively on behalf of candidates and clients alike. You may be surprised to hear from us one day as we potentially impart valuable information that makes a difference in your world.

Q: I am currently employed in a corporate strategy, corporate development (M&A) or investment execution role in the F1000 or private equity. Do you have interest in learning about my background and will I be part of your candidate community?  Answer

Yes. If interested, complete the brief questionnaire that is appropriate for your work history found on the 'Contact' page of this website. This will complete the first stage of initiating a relationship.