Tag Archives: portfolio firm

Looking to Join a Portfolio Company? Experts Connection Explains the Risks and Rewards of Working for Private Equity

Do You Have What It Takes to Work with a Start-Up or Turnaround? Recruiter Mary Kier Describes What You Need and How to Interview to Get Hired by a Private Equity Firm.

NOVATO, Calif. (April 10, 2013) — Even in a down economy, start-ups are thriving as private equity firms continue to invest looking for returns on new ideas and new technologies. If you are aggressive and have a taste for risk working for a portfolio company may be a perfect career choice. To see if you have what it takes, Mary Kier, CEO of Cook Associates Executive Search, will explain what it takes to get hired by a portfolio firm and how to navigate the interview process in the next Experts Connection (http://www.experts-connection.com) webinar entitled, “Spotlight on Private Equity: How Do You Get Hired.” The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. ET, (1:00 – 2:30 p.m. PT), and is sponsored by NETSHARE® (http://www.netshare.com).

Drawing from almost three decades of recruiting executives for private equity companies, Mary will provide an insider’s look at the world of private equity hiring, providing first-hand insight into what resonates when they are seeking executives to run their portfolio companies. Private equity firms are looking for specific qualifications in their executive candidates to ensure a fast return on their investments. They also use a different interview process, looking for special characteristics that demonstrate that the candidate is well-suited for the fast-paced world of private equity. Mary will explain what private equity wants, how to match their criteria to your skillset, how they use retained search recruiters, and share real life stories about candidates who succeeded, and those who didn’t and why.

During this 90-minute session, Mary will explain what it takes to work with a privately equity firms managing portfolio company and the qualifications you will need to be considered. Topics of discussion will include:

– Today’s portfolio environment and what private equity companies look for in executive candidates;
– Conducting a self-assessment analysis to determine if the world of private equity is for you;
– Sharpening your interview skills before you meet with a portfolio firm; and
– Asking the right and appropriate interview questions.

“Equity in a successful start-up company is the brass ring for any executive, but not all executives are well suited to manage portfolio companies,” said Katherine Simmons, CEO of NETSHARE and host of the Experts Connection teleseminars. “Mary has been working with private equity companies for some time and has a firm understanding of what they are looking for, and what a candidate needs to do to be successfully considered for a role in a portfolio company. If you have any interest at all in working with start-ups, this is the perfect session to help you plan your next career move.”

The cost of the Experts Connection seminar is $60, $50 for NETSHARE members. Access is provided via web and telephone and a web archive also is available for registrants. For more information, visit the Experts Connection online at http://www.experts-connection.com.

About Mary Kier
Mary Kier has been with Cook Associates Executive Search since 1984 and now serves as the firm’s CEO and a leader in the firm’s Private Equity Practice. She is respected for her ability to ascertain the underlying themes in the portfolio company and identify with the executive leadership team in order to quickly assess new talent. Her search work encompasses CEO’s, COOs, CFOs, CMOs, Divisional Presidents as well as functional heads of Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR and Operations. Mary earned her BS degree in Management and Industrial Relations, graduating with honors.

About NETSHARE
NETSHARE (http://www.netshare.com) is a confidential, membership based organization dedicated to providing executives across all disciplines and industries with quality $100K plus job lists. NETSHARE also offers networking opportunities and a community of peers for the exchange of strategic information related to job search, professional development and best practices. NETSHARE has been recognized by Fortune and Forbes magazines as the best online destination for executive positions.

Contact:
Annette DiSano
NETSHARE, Inc.
(415) 883-1700
annette@netshare.com

Experts Connection for Executives Explains How to Get Hired by a Private Equity Firm

Do You Have What it Takes to Work with a Portfolio Firm? Recruiter Mary Kier Explains What You Need and How to Present Your Expertise to Get Hired.

NOVATO, Calif. (June 8, 2012) — Following the market attention on the recent Facebook IPO, there is a new spotlight on private equity firms. Deal flow is on the rise and it’s a great time to take advantage of market traction, if you can get your foot in the door. In the next Experts Connection (http://www.experts-connection.com) webinar entitled, “Spotlight on Private Equity: How Do You Get Hired?,” Mary Kier, CEO of Cook Associates Executive Search, will explain what it takes to get hired by a portfolio firm. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, June 27, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. ET, (1:00 – 2:30 p.m. PT), and is sponsored by NETSHARE® (http://www.netshare.com).

Drawing from more than 20 years recruiting executives for private equity companies, Mary will provide an insider’s look at the world of private equity, providing first-hand insight into what resonates with portfolio firms. She will explain how they evaluate talent for their portfolio companies, and how they use retained search recruiters, sharing real life stories about candidates who succeeded, and those who didn’t and why.

During this 90-minute session, Mary will explain what it takes to work with a privately funded company and the qualifications you will need to be considered. Topics of discussion will include:

– Speaking the language of private equity;
– Conducting a self-assessment analysis to determine if you are suited for the world of private equity;
– Sharpening your interview skills specifically for a portfolio firm;
– Asking the right and appropriate questions; and
– Understanding the difference between what got you “there” and what you need to get you “here.”

“Private equity activity is on the upswing, so it’s the perfect time to look to a privately funded firm for your next job, assuming you have what it takes,” said Katherine Simmons, CEO of NETSHARE and host of the Experts Connection teleseminars. “Mary has been recruiting for private equity portfolio companies for a long time, and she knows what you need to be successful. This is the perfect session for anyone considering a private equity company as his or her next career move.”

The cost of the Experts Connection seminar is $60, $50 for NETSHARE members. Access is provided via web and telephone and a web archive also is available for registrants. For more information, visit the Experts Connection online at http://www.experts-connection.com.

About Mary Kier

Mary Kier has been with Cook Associates Executive Search since 1984 and now serves as the firm’s CEO and a leader in the firm’s Private Equity Practice. She is respected for her ability to ascertain the underlying themes in the portfolio company and identify with the executive leadership team in order to quickly assess new talent. Her search work encompasses CEO’s, COOs, CFOs, CMOs, Divisional Presidents as well as functional heads of Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR and Operations. Mary earned her BS degree in Management and Industrial Relations, graduating with honors.

About NETSHARE

NETSHARE (http://www.netshare.com) is a confidential, membership based organization dedicated to providing executives across all disciplines and industries with quality $100K plus job lists. NETSHARE also offers networking opportunities and a community of peers for the exchange of strategic information related to job search, professional development and best practices. NETSHARE has been recognized by Fortune and Forbes magazines as the best online destination for executive positions.

Contact:
Annette DiSano
NETSHARE, Inc.
(415) 883-1700
Annette@netshare.com

Tom Woolf
Woolf Media & Marketing
(415) 259-5638
tomw@woolfmedia.com