Generally speaking, the hiring atmosphere in Japan isn't that hot. On top of the March 2011 earthquake that unsettled the economy, Europe's woes have started to reach Asian shores. Finance firms cut about 2,000 people between June 2010 and the end of December 2011, Bloomberg reported.
But there is one bright spot that ought to lift the spirits of some restless mergers and acquisitions bankers. According to recruiters, multinational banks need to add to their M&A staff in light of more Japanese cross-border deals.
"[Banks] may lift their hiring freeze sometime soon and recruit people who are good at execution," Katsunobu Komizo, chief executive officer at Japan-based search firm Executive Search Partners Co., told Bloomberg.
A stronger yen has resulted in 800 cross-border takeovers in 2011, the highest number of overseas acquisitions since 2000. Both Citigroup and Nomura want to build up their M&A teams in the country.
Wealth Management Lives (The National)
Many construction projects may have been halted in the Gulf, but private bankers are still in high demand. Banks are hiring experienced talent in Dubai to cater to millionaires.
ANZ Banking Group, headquartered in Australia, will shed 1,000 jobs in 2012 as it struggles with a "very difficult environment," the bank said.
Mortgage Shuffle (HousingWire)
MetLife employees are finding new opportunities after their parent company withdrew from the home loan business. About 300 of them are hopping to mortgage lender Caliber Funding, while 160 are heading to HomeStreet Bank.
George N. Mattson, co-head of Goldman Sachs's global industrials group and a recognized rainmaker, will step down. He will be replaced by Dusty Philip. Mattson is the latest in a series of partner exits from the firm.
Portrait of an Investment Banker (NetNet)
If you think that joining an investment bank will forever quash your literary or arty ambitions, don't worry. Many of your cohorts will have similar interests (and you'll be able to afford that Mary Cassatt you've always wanted).
If you hate your job, it's time to move on, experts say. Too many people have career regrets at the end of their lifetime.
Buzz Around the Office
Before Steve Jobs (YouTube)
A brief history of Thomas Edison.
List of the Day: Office Talk
We're not saying don't ever broach these topics at work, but avoid boring your colleagues with too much chatter.
1. Your weekend or weeknight plans.
2. What your child did or said at their school play. Save it for the grandparents.
3. Wedding planning.
(Source: The Daily Muse)
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