We at Initiate International specialise in recruiting for a number of sectors. One of these is the financial sector. For this reason we are excited to have Reinardt at our financial recruitment desk in Cape Town. I bumped into him in the kitchen, and quickly interviewed him. Here is what he had to say.
Reinardt, how long have you been in recruitment?
I have almost six years of national and international recruitment experience. I’ve been specialising in financial recruitment for the last two and a half years.
What do you like about financial recruiting?
What I like most about it is that it’s such a diverse sector. One can recruit in finance across all industries including banking, (FMCG), oil & gas, and even retail. Every industry has an opening for finance candidates, so knowing your market is very important.
There are many recruiters out there. What makes you different from them?
I place huge emphasis on solid relationships. I think they are the most important aspect of recruitment. Secondly, you have to understand your client’s needs as well as the company culture. Once you know your client and what is important to them, you are in a much better position to find the perfect fit for their vacancy.
What is your personal recruitment goal for 2014?
My goal for this year is to really make people aware of the Initiate brand in the finance sector. I would like to prove that Initiate is a big player in finance recruitment.
Do you think there is a growing financial industry in Cape Town, or do candidates need to move to Johannesburg if they are serious about their finance careers?
There are many financial services companies in Cape Town. It largely depends on the kind of work the candidate is seeking. There are many opportunities in asset management and auditing in the Western Cape, for example. Please do not move to JHB; we need talent in Cape Town!
What, in your opinion, are some of the necessary characteristics of a professional recruiter in finance?
You need to know your industry and you have to be flexible. You need to be in touch with with the different aspects of financial recruitment; for example, you have to be able to deal with auditing, retail, accounting etc. all at once. You need to be genuinely interested in finance. Networking within the financial industry is crucial for building solid relationships with candidates and clients. Networking is not difficult because people in the finance sector are generally quite willing to talk about the market.
What would you say are really hot skills to have if you want to work in the financial sector in Cape Town?
Newly qualified chartered accountants are always in demand. There’s also a massive market for people with credit experience. I have found that financial recruitment can be seasonal, especially for people liketax practitioners. From the end of March companies generally start to recruit for the tax season. These positions won’t necessarily be high level ones, but tax-compliance or -administration candidates will be in high demand. December is generally when audit firms recruit graduates.
Do you have any tips for job seekers?
You need to be proactive! Don’t just follow job specifications; but follow companies for which you would like to work. Call them; speak to line managers, people who can make decisions. Speak to people in the industry, and do some networking. Make your CV visible by using job portals and LinkedIn.
Thank you, Reinhardt, for your time! How can job seekers contact you? For financial careers in Cape Town, candidates can contact me on my email: Reinardt@initiateinternational.com, or telephonically on 021 488 9800.
