Searching Smarter

“Culture Fit” Is Dead - What Matters To Firms In 2026 with Len Syriaque

Being a “culture fit” used to be enough. Having a certain college or organization on your resume used to be enough. But in 2026, something else is needed if candidates are to stand out. Hiring has evolved since 2010. Candidates are being evaluated on more than just technical ability. And in this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Leonard Syriaque, a talent leader with over 20 years of experience building teams. Len brings a unique perspective on how hiring has changed over the past decade and what candidates and hiring managers need to get right today. We explore the shift from “culture fit” to “culture add”, why storytelling is becoming a critical skill, and how candidates can position themselves to make a real impact in today’s market. Covered in this episode: * 0:00 - Intro * 1:17 - What’s changed in recruiting from 2010 to today. * 3:20 - What graduates are looking for beyond compensation. * 5:35 - Why your storytelling ability as a candidate can change everything. * 8:18 - Culture “add” vs. culture “fit” and why it matters. * 11:29 - How to assess whether a company’s culture is right for you. * 12:59 - Functional fit vs. technical fit and why both are needed. * 15:01 - What impact really means in a role. * 16:28 - When impact isn’t actually impact. * 17:35 - Practical tips to improve your storytelling as a candidate. * 19:59 - Has social media changed how candidates communicate? * 22:16 - How networking has evolved and why face-to-face still matters. Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode. LEARN MORE Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70 [https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70] Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0 [https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0] CONNECT Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/] Len Syriaque on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardsyriaque/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardsyriaque/] LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e [https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e] Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw]

Private Equity vs. Private Credit: Where Are The Career Opportunities? with Alex Nicoll

Private equity vs. private credit - where is the money going right now? And where do the opportunities lie for candidates looking for a career within the industry? The dynamics across private equity and private credit are changing fast. From the AI gold rush to shifting recruiting cycles, there are major implications for talent and investors. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Alex Nicoll, Private Equity Reporter at Business Insider, to break down where capital is moving, what trends are shaping the sector, and what it means for those looking for roles within financial services today. Covered in this episode: * 1:25 - Private equity vs private credit: where is the money going? * 2:16 - Who’s making money in the AI gold rush? * 9:26 - How ESG is being considered today. * 11:35 - The growing push for employee ownership. * 12:53 - Is private credit at risk of a bubble? * 18:54 - The rise of SaaS in private equity deals. * 20:31 - The current risks in private credit. * 26:10 - On-cycle recruiting in private equity. * 32:22 - What skills are required in an AI-driven private equity world? * 35:31 - How off-cycle recruiting is being impacted. * And more… Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode. LEARN MORE Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70 [https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70] Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0 [https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0] CONNECT Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/] Alex Nicoll on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexonicoll/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexonicoll/] LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e [https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e] Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw]

Why Investment Banking Candidates Have the Edge In 2026 with Emily Long

For the first time in years, the balance is shifting in the investment banking sector. As activity rebounds and competition for top talent grows, 2026 is shaping up to be a renaissance year for investment banking. And because of this, firms will need to start selling themselves to candidates, not the other way around. In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by Emily Long, one of the most successful investment banking recruiters in Selby Jennings’ history and a true expert on the market. Emily breaks down what’s driving the surge in hiring activity, how the talent bar is evolving, and what both candidates and firms need to understand to stay competitive. If you’re working in investment banking or looking to break into the sector, this episode will help you understand how to position yourself strategically in this critical period. Covered in this episode: 1. 0:00 - Intro. 2. 1:15 - How high is the talent bar in investment banking right now? 3. 2:32 - What’s driving the uptick in activity in 2026? 4. 3:08 - How candidates can stand out in a competitive market. 5. 4:46 - How firms can attract the right talent in a candidate-driven market. 6. 7:37 - What firms need to be aware of in this hiring environment. 7. 9:49 - The role bonuses play in attracting top performers. 8. 11:4 - What most affects bonus outcomes? 9. 13:17 - How candidates can leverage counter offers strategically. 10. 15:28 - How AI is affecting investment banking - are roles at risk? 11. 17:45 - What’s exciting candidates about AI? 12. And more… Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode. LEARN MORE Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70 [https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70] Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0 [https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0] CONNECT Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/] Emily Long on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-long-hire [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-long-hire] LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e [https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e] Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw]

How AI Is Affecting Banking Roles in 2026 with Evident CEO

Many of the leading banks are investing heavily into AI. But there are clear winners when it comes to turning that investment into productivity and performance. So what are the leaders doing differently, and what does it mean for jobs in financial services? In this episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we welcome back Alexandra Mousavizadeh, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Evident, for one of our most forward-looking conversations of the year. We unpack the latest findings from the Evident AI Index, which ranks global banks on AI usage and maturity, and reveals the growing gap between the leaders and the laggards. We explore how banks are actually implementing AI, whether white-collar jobs are at risk, how teams are upskilling, and which skills are now most in demand. If you work anywhere near finance or AI, this episode will give you a clear view of where the industry is heading. Covered in this episode: 1. 0:00 - Intro 2. 1:35 - The pace of AI adoption in banks - what’s new in 2026 and how it’s impacting financial services. 3. 3:46 - How banks are implementing AI. 4. 6:11 - What the data shows about AI replacing white-collar jobs. 5. 6:54 - How teams are upskilling with AI. 6. 10:34 - What separates banks getting real value from AI vs. those that aren’t. 7. 12:32 - The skills banks are hiring for in this AI landscape. 8. 17:25 - What the leading banks are doing differently. 9. 20:39 - What AI-driven talent is looking for in employers. 10. 24:25 - What sectors are bringing value to financial services as talent moves. 11. And more… Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode. LEARN MORE Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70 [https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70] Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0 [https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0] CONNECT Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/] Alexandra Mousavizadeh on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/alexandra-mousavizadeh [https://linkedin.com/in/alexandra-mousavizadeh] LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e [https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e] Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw]

What It Will Take To Get Hired In 2026 with David Jones

The rules around work, hiring, and what a suitable candidate looks like for a hiring manager are changing fast. We’re seeing shifts driven by tech and demographics which are likely to only move further in 2026. That’s why, in this week’s episode of the Searching Smarter podcast, we’re joined by David Jones, Labor Market Economist and CEO & Talent Partner at talent assessment, technology, and leadership development company, Mercer Talent Enterprise. We break down what’s coming next, and what both candidates and employers need to pay attention to heading into 2026. From how graduates can navigate a new career while AI technologies rapidly advance, to the traits that will separate top candidates from the rest, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate what’s ahead with clarity. Covered in this episode: 1. 00:00 - Intro 2. 01:22 - What’s changing across the talent landscape in 2026? 3. 03:22 - Where demand is rising for graduates. 4. 03:43 - How people staying in jobs longer changes the workplace. 5. 07:57 - The number one trait the next generation needs to develop in 2026. 6. 09:58 - How to position yourself strategically as a candidate as technology advances. 7. 12:10 - ‘AI CV tells’ - what hiring teams can spot immediately. 8. 13:56 - How hiring analysis is evolving and how standout candidates are being identified. 9. 18:02 - How generational shifts are changing candidate evaluation. 10. 20:45 - How the next generation can challenge outdated workplace assumptions. 11. 23:40 - Why education struggles to keep pace with new technology and ways of working. 12. And more… Be sure to subscribe to the Selby Jennings’ Searching Smarter podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode. LEARN MORE Selby Jennings - https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70 [https://hubs.la/Q03qrs-70] Phaidon International - https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0 [https://hubs.la/Q03qsqrh0] CONNECT Jesse Skaff on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-skaff-0783645b/] David Jones on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barrie-jones/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barrie-jones/] LISTEN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e [https://open.spotify.com/show/3BAUCsXbXiNqnfXR9jDG4k?si=4a75d55cf5a74d6e] Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/searching-smarter/id1770342621] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkk9RrybV10doAzoXuK5jYw]