Madeline Newall, Analyst

Q&A with Madeline

1. Tell us about your path here. Why did you choose to join Acertitude?

Before I graduated from Fordham University, I met with my career center to discuss possible career tracks based on my academic interests. My advisor put me in contact with VP of Talent, Ben Warner, and I began to learn more about Acertitude and the world of executive search. Initially, I was drawn to the level of talent and personable nature of the organization, as well as the combination of data-driving research and people skills needed for the analyst role.

In the past seven months, my journey in the executive search realm has been beyond enriching, truly teaching me the intricate balance between client and candidate dynamics. I love the people-focus and research-oriented nature of my day-to-day, as it perfectly aligns with my passions. Transitioning into my professional career at the firm has been very rewarding. Collaborating closely with exceptional colleagues, diving deeper into the business world, and developing a professional skill set are invaluable experiences that will undoubtedly shape my career moving forward.

2. Describe a day in your life. Favorite parts of your job?

Each workday varies based on the status of my searches, but the majority of my time is dedicated to research, specifically identifying different tracks for various roles and uncovering relevant candidates. I pride myself in keeping my days organized and aligning my schedule with sufficient time for each search.

Most days, I have a mix of internal meetings, candidate calls with executive leaders, as well as client calls. My favorite part of the day is when I'm focused on conducting research; I love getting in a good groove and making progress, as well as chatting with my team in the NYC office, brainstorming and discussing our projects.

3. What is special about working here?

The people for sure. When I joined Acertitude in July 2023, I was welcomed with open arms, and was given so much guidance about the firm, as well as post-graduate life overall. I am so grateful to the team, who has helped me so much with my transition from college to professional life.

4. How has Acertitude helped you grow and perform at your best?

At Acertitude, I've had the opportunity to leverage my proficiency in Excel, develop and enhance client and candidate management skills, and sharpen my research abilities to drive significant growth. Through hands-on learning experiences, the firm has equipped me with the tools needed to rhrive in these critical areas. Working with the C&I team has allowed me to gain so much insight into the executive search realm, encompassing client and candidate management, innovative research pathways, and everything in between. The office culture is characterized by supportiveness, openness to questions, encouragement to participate on calls, and readiness to engage in brainstorming sessions whenever I need assistance.

5. In what ways - big or small - do you live out our mission of unleashing human potential?

At the firm, we strive not only to discover and nurture our own capabilities, but to unearth the talents of our candidates as well. Continuously honing our professional skills enables us to support our clients and candidates in reaching their objectives.

6. What advice do you have for people looking to join Acertitude? What qualities do people need to be successful here?

You absolutely need to be curious; curious to learn more about yourself, your clients, the market, and beyond. We are in the business of helping others excel, so this curiosity needs to be paired with a need and want to become better to best-serve our clients, candidates, and especially our colleagues.

Madeline at a glance