As Managing Director at Phaidon International, a global talent acquisition company, Kareem Bakr has a unique perspective on career growth. He started with the company when its U.S. business was just nine people strong, operating out of a tiny office in New York City. His journey from individual contributor to a leader at a global firm is a masterclass in building a career with purpose.
How did you get your start in the field?
“The start of my journey in talent acquisition began back in 2013 when I joined Phaidon International as a recent graduate,” Bakr recalls. “I wasn’t all that familiar with the world of talent acquisition, but I knew that I wanted to be a part of an organization that matched ambition and skills with opportunity, and Phaidon offered just that.”
He quickly realized the industry, and Phaidon specifically, was a place where effort was rewarded and there was tremendous opportunity for career growth.
“Not only was I able to consult and influence hiring decisions for some of the most elite names in the financial services industry, but I was also making a significant impact on the lives of so many exceptionally talented candidates,” he explains.
As his journey continued from being an individual contributor to taking on a variety of leadership roles, Phaidon continued to remain an industry leader for enabling exceptional career opportunities. His story highlights how a deep belief in a company’s mission—and a strong commitment to making an impact—can be the most powerful foundation for a thriving HR career.
In our latest Faces, meet Kareem Bakr.
Who is/was your biggest influence in the industry?
I would say that Harry Youtan, our CEO, has been the most prominent influence in my career. I was lucky to work under his tutelage during the early stages of my career and again in my current role. If I had to highlight three main lessons, he shared which have helped shape who I am today, they would be the following:
1. Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard. We work in an industry where work ethic is a common trait amongst the most successful individuals.
2. Always lead from the front. True leaders should always be prepared to roll up their sleeves and never ask their teams to do something they wouldn’t personally do themselves.
3. Seek understanding. There are always multiple sides to a story and varying perspectives; always seek understanding of a situation before reacting.
What’s your best mistake and what did you learn from it?
My best and biggest mistake came early in my career as I was still getting to grips with the cadence of the typical, elongated recruitment cycles we operate in. After failing to properly navigate the intricacies of managing senior candidates through interviews and treating the process in a transactional manner, I quickly realized that talent acquisition is a people business where relationships are paramount and adding in a human element of relatability makes all the difference. This learning lesson helped sharpen my skills early on and propelled me forward in years to follow.
What’s your favorite part about working in the industry? What’s your least favorite part, and how would you change it?
My favorite part about working in the industry is that I’m able to positively impact and influence the lives of so many people. Some of our clients are Tier 1 investment banks, the largest hedge funds in the world, prominent names in Big Tech, and even household names in the consumer and manufacturing space, who all rely on us to help source, secure and retain top talent for them. We consult, partner, and weigh in on business-critical hiring needs and operate in industry niches where the supply demand imbalances are most acute. On the candidate side, I have been fortunate to create lasting relationships with some of the sharpest minds in the industries in which we operate, and it brings me significant joy and fulfillment knowing that we are helping shape so many careers for the better. Lastly, the seat I have today lends me the opportunity to continue to scale and develop the Phaidon business with like-minded, motivated, and ambitious people who are looking for a place to realize their ambitions.
It sounds like through your experience you really care about people, and you want to help them feel safe and comfortable, which is important in the industry. Please elaborate here.
One of the four main values in our business is “You Matter,” and this has been something that we have taken seriously both within our organization as well with the clients and candidates we recruit for.We endeavor to create an environment where people feel heard, seen, and included daily. By regularly welcoming a variety of perspectives, having a diverse workforce, and fostering a culture of radical transparency, we have created a culture where people feel safe and supported. Our values transcend our office walls, and this level of dignity, care, and respect is evidenced by the high-quality partnerships and relationships we have developed over the past two decades with thousands of clients and millions of candidates globally.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the progress our organization has made over the past 12 years and the significant opportunity for growth we have in front of us in years to come. From continuing to command a wider percentage of market share to scaling across seven offices in the U.S. and employing over 850 industry experts, we have remained focused and diligent in our pursuit of excellence. For over a decade, we have further systematized our operations to ensure we are developing our staff to the highest level and shown meticulous care and dedication, delivering on our clients’ most challenging, and business critical needs. It is rare to find such a large group of individuals who genuinely care about their product and the elite service they provide. I am beyond proud to be a part of an organization like ours.
Do you have any advice for people entering the profession?
For anyone entering the world of talent acquisition, I would recommend three things:
1. Be resilient. Talent acquisition can be a profession of peaks and troughs where rejection is common and thick skin is a prerequisite. Make sure you can quickly dust off the losses and carry forward with a resilient attitude.
2. Be intellectually curious. There is value in being a market expert who knows every inch of the space you staff for and understands the way the industry you operate in functions. Ask questions and seek out opportunities to learn from those around you.
3. Be a change champion. Change in life is inevitable, and those who can be dynamic and show a level of adaptability and resourcefulness are the individuals who find avenues to success.