FAQs: Working with Executive Recruiters

Q. What is the focus of Phoenix Group International?

A. PGI specializes in placing professionals in the following areas:

  • Private Equity
  • Venture Capital
  • Alternative Asset
    (i.e., asset mangement, distressed debt, fund of funds, growth equity, hedge funds, mezzanine, special situations)
  • Investment Banking
  • Portfolio Companies
  • Corporations - Corporate Development

The positions we fill include, but are not limited to:

  • Analysts
  • Associates
  • Vice Presidents
  • Principals
  • Partners
  • CEO/COO/CFO positions in portfolio companies

Q. What are the traditional candidate backgrounds?

A. Virtually all positions prefer candidates with investment banking, consulting, or industry experience. Venture capital firms prefer candidates with electrical engineering and/or computer science backgrounds.

Q. Does Phoenix Group International work on international openings and are the requirements different for positions overseas?

A. Yes, PGI recruits for international positions. Most opportunities require specific language skills, together with country or regional passports (i.e. EU). Regarding non-U.S. citizens working in the United States, we find that candidate visa sponsorship varies by company.

Q. What makes Phoenix Group International different from other recruitment firms?

A. EXPERIENCE, INTEGRITY, AND FOLLOW-UP

EXPERIENCE:

Phoenix Group International's recruiters have substantial work experience in both business and recruiting. The recruiter working on an assignment is responsible for the process of filling the position from start to finish.

INTEGRITY:

Unlike other firms, we always identify the hiring client to the prospective candidate for the following reasons:

  • To measure the candidate's interest in the firm.
  • To ensure the candidate has not already interviewed with the client or has been presented to the client through another source. (Occasionally, a client firm will ask us not to identify them by name, however, that is the exception and not the rule.)
Prior to forwarding a candidate's resume to a client, we always obtain the candidate's consent.

FOLLOW UP:

Phoenix Group International takes pride in identifying the client to our candidates. PGI will always:

  • Confirm the candidate's interest and secure their permission prior to sending a resume to the client.
  • Notify the candidate of the client's level of interest.
  • Schedule interviews and communicate feedback throughout the process to both parties.
  • Assist in negotiating the compensation package, including reference checks, as requested.

All candidates and clients are treated with respect and honesty.

Q. How does a candidate apply for a position?

A. Each candidate should take the following steps:

  1. Enroll as a candidate using PGI's web-based recruiting tool.
  2. Review the current job listings on the Phoenix Group International website.
  3. Identify positions of interest.
  4. Using our web-based recruiting tool, apply to position(s) of interest. Each job posted identifies the recruiter who is managing that assignment. When you apply to a job assignment, the recruiter is immediately notified.
  5. After a candidate expresses interest in a specific position, their resume will be sent to the client only if:
    1. The candidate is qualified and meets the client's hiring criteria.
    2. The candidate has given approval to have their background presented to the identified client.

We notify the candidate of the client's interest level. Assuming there is interest on the part of the client, we will then be involved in setting up the telephone or on-site interviews. Throughout the process, we obtain feedback from both parties and relay that information to both sides, the client and the candidate. If there is negative feedback and the process stops, we will make every effort to determine why the candidate is no longer under consideration and communicate that information. If there is continued interest and the process reaches the point of an offer, we will be an active participant throughout the offer process.

At Phoenix Group International, we pride ourselves on the highest degree of personal contact with both clients and candidates.

Words of advice:

Some recruiting firms may ask you to check a box on a form giving them permission to forward your resume to their clients. We advise candidates not to have their resumes forwarded to a client unless the candidate knows exactly where their resume is being sent.

As a candidate, do not let other recruiting firms know where you are interviewing. A recruiter might use that information to contact the interviewing company, get the job listing, and present candidates who would be competing against you.

You are responsible for managing your career - don't relinquish that responsibility.

Q. What are the compensation components a candidate can expect?

A. For private equity and venture capital firms, the compensation components include base salary, bonus, carried interest, and co-investing rights. At junior levels, base and bonus are standard, with an opportunity for co-investing in some cases.

At senior levels, carried interest is normally a component. Sometimes carried interest is contingent upon 6 to 18 months of proven performance.

For investment banking, corporate business development, and consulting, the compensation generally includes base salary and bonus, with stock options, in some cases.