There are a number of Web-based resources for job hunters targeting the capital markets. In comparing them, we decided to look at what employers pay, if anything, for the privilege of posting — on the theory that the seriousness of the offer may scale with the cost of advertising or filling it.

Hedge and private-equity funds rarely need to turn to recruitment firms, much less Web-based channels, to fill senior investment positions. Most of those seats are won through word-of-mouth contacts. Still, some new hires do get made through these services. Let’s say it’s 5%; these channels should therefore represent about 5% of your job-search efforts.

Search Firms

FinanceLadder (at TheLadders.com) posts jobs with salaries of $100,000 or more, and takes intense pride in that minimum level. It believes there is such a thing as “the $100,000+ market” for jobs, as if a licensed bridge inspector and a structured-finance specialist are somehow in the same job market. We think that’s why it makes us sad. Anyway, employers pay $500 for four weeks, $900 for eight weeks, etc.

The Financial Job Network costs employers $225 every three months, and allows them to access the candidate database directly — even if they “post no bills.” We think that capability would appeal to hedge funds looking to hire.

Hedge Fund Jobs Digest is free to employers — applicants pay a subscription fee to access listings, which the Digest compiles from other online platforms. It thus consolidates quite a full range of available positions from the hedge fund, PE, and investment-banking industries. (On the theory that the most serious candidates will pay to access job listings, we’re surprised this site doesn’t charge employees for premium listing privileges.) Jobs posted exclusively to the site are highlighted.

The only retained search firm on our list is Glocap, which charges employers one-third of any hire’s first-year salary and bonus (a standard fee structure for executive recruitment). We interviewed at Glocap once, years ago, which is to say that a 25-year-old zombie read questions from a template, keying our answers into the database. She seemed offended that we were happily employed.

Some Other Ideas

We can’t provide a link to it, but Bloomberg’s <JOBS> function allows you to see all kinds of available positions, organized by functional category (portfolio management, accounting, etc.).

You may also want to check out Jobs.SeekingAlpha.com, Vault.com, and maybe even the HedgeFundJobList. Careerjet and its UAE sister site Careerjet.ae also have some relevant listings under “Banking - Financial Services.”

But again: Don’t expect too much from these Web sites. Your job search will benefit more from networking with fellow alumni, re-establishing contact with old corporate alum, data mining in your Outlook database, attending events sponsored by organizations like NYSSA (or your local area’s equivalent or semi-equivalent), and generally acting like less of a jerk.

Name That Site

We are trying to recall a (community-based) site we used to visit from time to time. It was called Hedge Café, Hedge Fund Island, something like that — and the site was a metaphor for a café or an island. We seem to have lost track of it. Anyone know what we’re talking about?

We wish you the best of luck in your job search. If you want to vent or maybe some free advice, send us an e-mail or post a comment. ♦