This is part of a series of testimonials from candidates who have successfully been placed by The Execu|Search Group. This testimonial comes from Kieran Sullivan; you can find our past testimonials here.

When Kieran Sullivan, an accounting professional, partnered with The Execu|Search Group, he had very specific needs to be met.  Kieran had definitive goals entering New York’s financial services industry, and he also needed help from those who had experience hiring non-U.S. citizens before.  After meeting with Ryan Mastro, an Associate within The Execu|Search Group’s Accounting/Finance division, Kieran was able to land a Reporting and Controls position at a leading investment bank within a matter of days.  He had a very positive experience with Ryan, and was happy to speak with us about it…

On his background…

After graduating from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia with a Bachelor in Business, I spent three years as an external auditor at EY Melbourne in their financial services office.  Following a promotion to Senior Accountant, I moved to Houston, TX for a nine-month contract in a similar role.  I had just recently moved to New York City when I approached Execu|Search to assist with my job search after being referred by a contact.

On what he was looking for…

Due to my specific needs as an Australian holding a non-immigrant work visa, I was looking for a firm that had a vast network of clients that have experience with hiring other non-U.S. citizens. I also wanted to partner with an organization that had specialists in the accounting and finance fields so that I could explain exactly what I wanted from my next role and future employer.

On how TESG worked to meet his needs…

I met with Ryan and explained my background and what I was hoping to get out of a new opportunity, including what I wanted and did not want in that role. I felt that Ryan listened to me and fully understood what I was looking for, leaving me confident that we were on the same page. Shortly after our meeting, Ryan sent me a few job descriptions, and they clearly demonstrated that he understood my needs.

On preparing for the interview…

Ryan was enthusiastic about the roles available to me, and he ensured that I knew all the details about the company, the role itself, and the people responsible for the interview process. He sent me background information and let me know where I could conduct further research in the event that I needed it.  He also drew upon past experiences of other candidates who had interviewed for the same role, giving me a bio of the interviewer’s credentials as well as an overview of their interview style and questions that are typically asked. Having all this information available to me in preparation for the interview boosted my confidence greatly.

On his overall experience…

In the week I met Ryan, I not only interviewed, but was offered a role that was the perfect fit for me.  I had come to New York City seeking a role exactly like the position I accepted, and Ryan’s ability to listen to my needs and understand my background helped make this opportunity possible.

“Kieran posed a few interesting challenges with his visa status, but he was incredibly articulate in communicating exactly what he needed from me,” says Ryan.  “As a result, I was able to line up interviews for him right away.  Kieran was so polished and prepared that I hardly had to coach him, and he came highly rated from his previous employers.  With such a highly qualified candidate, I simply needed to listen in order to find him the right fit.  We met on a Tuesday, and he received a job offer that Friday.”