Interview with Brin McCagg, Co-Founder of OneWire.com, a unique finance employer/candidate matching service

I sat down with Brin the other day, to explore how he developed this job search site, what made it unique and what tips he might have for those searching for a finance position.

What is your background?

I started off in investment banking. Shortly after business school at Wharton, I started an environmental services company that we grew into an industry leader and sold out in 1997. I then formed an internet-based asset management company backed by GE Capital, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and others. That company was sold in 2002. Next, I worked as a senior executive on the turnaround of two private equity backed companies. Two years ago I co-founded OneWire.com.

How was your background helpful, in creating this business?

20 years of experience in developing an early stage company has been very helpful. I also was taught at a very young age to work hard and stay focused – both essential skills in business.

• Tell me about OneWire.com. How did the idea come about?

My partner ran a headhunting firm and had the initial idea. At first, I thought we were late to the market, but after meeting with a number of top investment banks I concluded we had an enormous opportunity. Two years ago he and I dropped everything and started OneWire.com.

• Briefly, how did you get the business off the ground, financially?

Initially, we covered the costs and were uncompensated. However, we fairly quickly needed to raise what amounted to a considerable amount of funding as a seed round.

• What is your vision?

To be the dominant platform where individuals manage their careers and stay connected with highly relevant opportunities.

• What’s unique about OneWire.com?

While there is competition, there is no application comparable to OneWire. We utilize structured data for candidates to build their profiles, which results in precise matches against searches (All other sites use Boolean or fuzzy search logic). Candidates always control their confidentiality and reveal their profile details only when and to whom they want. Employers can manage all aspects and stages of recruiting, including sourcing, screening, communication, interview scheduling and on-boarding, in one seamless application. Campus recruiting is also an integral focus for us. We guarantee better candidate results and a reduction of recruiting time and expense of at least 75%.

• What has been your growth pattern?

We officially launched the site six months ago and 65 top firms are utilizing our service. We expect accelerating growth in both firms and candidates signing up.

• Where do you see the business in 5 years?

As the dominant platform where individuals manage their careers and stay connected with highly relevant opportunities

• What is your opinion of the ideal CFO candidate?

That depends on many factors including what stage the company is at. The right CFO for IBM is not the right CFO for a startup and vice versa. That said, a good CFO universally must have excellent accounting and math skills, have a conservative disposition and be highly organized.

• As someone in the job search industry, what would be some tips you would give job searchers?

• Build a detailed profile on OneWire.com immediately. If you’re out of work, you should try to get employed as soon as possible, even if the position is not optimal because times are tough, you need to stay engaged, and earning some compensation is better than none.

• Assess what you really want to do and where you have a reasonably good chance of success

• Focus is the key to success in everything and with search. Focus on exactly what you want and develop every channel to making it happen.

• Network to find people that can open doors

• Be able to pitch your qualification cold. Do not leave room for error by being unprepared.