How Arnold Partners Works with Financial Professionals
Our relationship with candidates
We value every professional we come in contact with who is pursuing business and career advancement. We obviously meet many more CFO candidates than we place in new opportunities. However, we are interested in the opportunity to work with you and help each other in our respective businesses.
Our pledge to candidatesWe will take the time to understand your current situation, read your resume, and offer critical feedback. Please see below for an example resume. We will provide honest assessment of your candidacy in the current marketplace. For candidates that are in process with our clients, we will actively coach and provide timely feedback as the search progresses. In all cases, your confidentiality is positively assured. If you are a candidate new to Arnold Partners, please submit your confidential information using this secure form. All information is held in confidence and is not released without your explicit permission. |
Referral program
Many of our searches originate from our candidate relationships. We value these relationships and are deeply thankful for referrals. Should you refer us to an organization that contracts with us for search services, we will be pleased to make a generous donation to your favorite charity or make a cash payment to you. Please call for details.
Candidate resources
Link to PDF Example Resume.
Download pdf "Interview essentials for executives: Beyond the Basics."
Tim's Strategy is a blog that offers ideas for job search, career and life. Link to Tim's Website
Frequently Asked Questions about CFO Search & Arnold Partners
Q. What do you offer that is different from large retained search firms?
A. First, our clients deal only with the principal of Arnold Partners, Dave Arnold, with over 20 years of experience in CFO search, operations and finance. Second, we specialize in the financial function which allows us to meet our clients' needs more accurately and swiftly. Finally, we offer flexibility in our approach to each client, and customize each search to fit the needs of our client. Our focus is exclusively on our clients, not on internal politics or shareholder pressures.
Q. How many partners are there in Arnold Partners?
A. Dave Arnold handles all client matters. He is supported by an active Board of Advisors, who serve as strategic partners with deep expertise in search, human relations, operations, and finance. Arnold Partners also has several key relationships with interim solution providers that may be called upon to contribute to a project.
Q. How do you measure success?
A. One measure of success stands out: our placed CFOs have three times less turnover than the Silicon Valley average. Another measure is the testimonials of our clients, and the fact that the percentage of referred searches from past placements is 100%.
Q. Do you guarantee your placements?
A. Yes, for 12 months from start date. Certain exceptions apply of course, such as the hiring company being acquired.Q. Why would a company use a search firm in a high unemployment environment?
A. Please see my white paper, “Strategic hiring in lean times.”Q. How do you assure the quality of the people you place?
A. There are many qualities that our clients seek in a CFO. First on the list is high integrity. We verify a candidate's true integrity by reaching beyond the reference list to our extensive network of executive contacts. We also assure quality through our exclusive focus on the financial function -- a CEO may hire only a handful of CFO's in his/her career, along with other positions -- but CFO search is our sole focus. With this focus over many years comes expertise. In addition, our reputation is at stake with every search we perform, and our goal is to exceed expectations.
Q. Why only financial search? Couldn't you apply your skills to other professions?
A. Because our formative years were in finance, it was a natural place to focus. Now that we have been in financial search business for 20+ years, separating the “As” from the “Bs” is the value we bring for our clients.
Q. How is your fee structured?
A. We work exclusively on a "retained search" basis. We offer our clients an outstanding value for the impact of our placements. Retained search means that our clients have contracted exclusively with Arnold Partners to direct and complete a search assignment. During the course of the search assignment the client pays a retainer. There are many mutual obligations that must be met by both the client and the search firm, and as a result, this approach has many benefits for all parties -- the client, the candidate, and the search firm share a strong mutual interest in seeing that right candidate is hired, and that the search is completed in a timely manner.
Q. If I am a CFO looking for a new opportunity, how do I work with you?
A. We are constantly on the lookout for top talent and meet candidates to discuss their career accomplishments and objectives. Please send your resume and cover letter to us.