Johnson & Associates

New Year, New Job!? A little cliché I know but if this is you, then we have a nice selection of roles to consider below. If none of these resonate but you have up to date Syndicated Loans experience and want to be considered for new opportunities, please reach out and we can arrange a call; Permanent roles: Senior Agency Relationship Manager - Up to £95,000 Loans Agency Specialist (LoanIQ) – Up to £80,000 Loans Agency Transaction Management – up to £80,000 Loan Agency Transaction Manager - £65,000 Loans Agency Operations (LoanIQ) – up to £65,000 Deal Manager – Up to £65,000 Loans Agency Associate (Manchester) - Up to £55,000 Contract Roles: Secondary Closing Analyst 6 months - £300-£400pd If anything resonates with you, or you think someone you know may be suitable, please get in touch if you have the appropriate experience and right to work in the UK.

“I didn’t know my CV had gone there”…I was surprised to hear this from a candidate this week when it became apparent that on making their application his CV was already registered for the same position. Initially, they were surprised to hear they had been flagged as previously submitted for the same role, and then the penny dropped! It was via another recruiter, who had reached out over the Christmas period and after a short conversation to ascertain motivation and expectations, suggested they had a couple of roles which would be suitable. This particular candidate is a second jobber and had little experience looking for a position therefore did not think to ask for a job specification, company name, budget etc. I had yet to submit the candidate's CV as we were working together to make improvements to it to ensure it featured all of his technical skills which it initially did not. Not only had I wasted my time helping build a CV which would enhance his chances of obtaining an interview, but it transpired that the candidate had also been making applications directly to other companies but failed to keep a log of which companies he had applied to, the role titles and the date of application. Because of this I can no longer support this person as I suspect I will continue to make duplicate applications if I do. Your job search may take 2 weeks or 6 months plus, so I suggest to be organised, keep clear notes and always obtain all details of the opportunity before giving the green light to a recruiter. Essentially take control and you can’t go wrong 😊

We are urgently seeking a Loan Closer for our client based in London on a temporary contract, offering up to £350pd. If you are looking for a role that will utilise your experience of Loan Closing or Agency Settlements as well as your strong administrative skills; this hybrid position working a maximum of 2 days in the office could be suitable. Please view the full specification & details on our website, or DM me with your CV and we can book a call just before the festive break. To be considered for this role you must be able to work in the UK without sponsorship, and this role is offering an initial 3-month contract. https://lnkd.in/er_p4BtK

Can you help? We are looking for a Loans Agency Transaction Services Professional on behalf of our client, a leader in corporate finance and capital markets in London as a part of a fast-growing, multicultural team with career development opportunities. Benefits & Details: Salary: Up to £80,000 per annum. Location: London, EC3V 🔑 Role Overview: You’ll oversee the full loan lifecycle, from review the facility agreement at draft stage, to financial close and loan servicing obligations. Collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders, you’ll ensure seamless transaction management while enhancing the visibility of our client’s services across the UK and Europe. This is a fantastic opportunity to thrive in a high-growth, dynamic setting, if you, or someone you know, may be the perfect fit, please DM me with your CV or with an introduction.

Could you be sabotaging your own career prospects without realising it? Stop applying to unrelated roles directly – you might be blacklisting yourself from future opportunities. Here’s a real example from just last week: I was working with an exceptional candidate and found what I believed to be their ideal role at a prominent organisation. But when I tried to submit their application through the bank’s portal, it was automatically blocked. Why? Because they had previously applied independently to a different role in a different state, locking their profile in the system for six months. Here’s what this means: many large companies, like banks, treat every application as an exclusive relationship. Even if the role or location is irrelevant to your true goals, applying just once can prevent both you and any recruiters from reapplying to more fitting positions for months. The result? The hiring manager, the candidate, and I all missed out. Here’s the hard truth: applying for the wrong roles doesn’t just waste time; it restricts your future options. Once your profile is in a company’s system, it’s unlikely to surface for better roles that align with your skills and aspirations. Recruiters who could otherwise help are just as constrained. So, be strategic. Only submit your CV for roles that genuinely align with your goals and keep the path clear for future opportunities with your ideal employers.

Just this week, a frustrated candidate came to me because their manager was more focused on what suited them than on supporting their employee’s growth. The result? Both will lose in the long run⬇️ Here’s the story:   The candidate wanted to apply to an internal role that would keep them engaged and growing within the company.   The manager, however, saw only their own team’s needs and refused to let the candidate explore this new path, stating they were too important to let go.   Now, instead of staying and continue contributing, the candidate is preparing to leave as they feel stale in said position.   Are you seeing the signs? If your people are stagnant, overlooked for internal roles, or feeling boxed in, you’re at risk of losing them. Managers, it’s crucial to read between the lines and recognise what your team members truly want. Surely it is better to retain talent within the wider company than lose them altogether.   Don’t be the reason your best talent walks out the door. Listen to them now – or risk losing them tomorrow.   Have you ever felt stuck in a role where you’re “too valuable” to leave, yet too bored to stay?

Would You Forgo a Bonus for a New Role? Last week, we asked if bonus season would impact your job search, and 70% of you said no. The majority prefer leveraging a stronger market to secure roles that offer a significant salary boost, even if it means passing up a bonus. This insight is clear: a competitive base salary and career growth outweigh the draw of a one-time payout. What about you? Would you prioritise long-term gains over short-term rewards? Drop your thoughts below! 👇

Have you ever been really scared of your boss? When I sense a candidate is primarily money-motivated, I won’t work with them until they have discussed the possibility of a pay rise with their manager. If the manager declines, then we can discuss new opportunities. If they say yes, you’ve secured a raise and saved everyone a lot of time and energy – win-win, right? Sadly, many candidates tell me they could never do this as they are too nervous to approach the subject and believe it would get rejected anyway, but instead would rather go through weeks & months of interviews in order to receive an offer and if counteroffered at resignation, would seriously consider it. I sympathise with many as it can be quite daunting to have a frank conversation regarding your salary, but if you are underpaid and can evidence this then PLEASE be brave and have the conversation rather than wasting everyone’s time. At least this way, if they decline your request but come up with a counteroffer at resignation, you know they had the money all along but didn’t want to pay you it unless their hand was forced, and then you can continue with the resignation happy in the knowledge it was the right decision. With appraisals around the corner, now’s the time to be sure you’re valued – do some research, check the market, and go armed with the knowledge that you have everything to hand to show to your manager, who’s boss! Thoughts? 

“I am looking for a Loan Closing role and currently work within CDO Administration… can you help?”  Last year I worked with a candidate to help him secure a new position on the buyside, as he was keen to move on from the corporate trust bank, he had spent the past 18 months with. Fortunately, within 2 months we were able to secure him a role with a fixed income specialist within the credit markets as his first job into Loan Closing! It’s great to see a year on he is still enjoying his role.