NBMBAA 2023 Conference Guide - 64

Redefining Your Career
Is Your Next Company Meeting Your Standards?
An Expert's Approach to Rating Companies
By Thomas Puketza
I
Andrew Watt
Managing Director, Corporate Ratings
Andrew Watt is a Managing Director
at S&P Global Ratings. Andrew has
responsibility for the strategic direction,
business priorities and performance of
the Corporate Ratings business as a
member of the global leadership team.
Andrew directly manages U.S. and
Canadian Corporate Ratings and the
industry teams that constitute about
2500 issuer relationships. He is also
responsible for Loan & Recovery Ratings
business in North America for Corporate
Ratings.
Andrew assumed his current
responsibilities in 2016. Prior to his
current role, Andrew held various
managerial and analytic leadership roles
in S&P Global Ratings. Andrew has also
been a member of the Analytics Policy
Board, which oversees and governs the
development of analytical criteria for S&P
Global Ratings.
Earlier in his career, Andrew held various
engineering roles for Allied Signal
Aerospace and completed an intensive
rotational leadership development
program.
Andrew received his MBA from Columbia
University's Graduate School of Business.
He also holds a Bachelor and Masters
degree of Electronic Engineering from the
City College of the City University of New
York. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst
and a member of the New York Society of
Securities Analysts.
64
n the intricate landscape of professional pursuits, Andrew Watt emerges as a
luminary in the realm of appraisal expertise. Holding the position of Managing
Director and Head of Corporate Ratings at S&P Global, Watt manages the
shaping of credit ratings for an extensive spectrum of companies. His insights cover
the entire business spectrum, from small-scale enterprises to globally renowned
corporations. Yet, it is not merely financial entities that fall within his purview; Watt's
wisdom extends to guiding job seekers on employing similar analytical acumen to
sculpt their own career trajectories. In this interview, Andrew Watt illuminates an
approach toward aligning individual goals with optimal career pathways.
_____________________________________________________________________
Having worked with so many companies and seen how they operate, what
advice do you have for candidates on how to prioritize their search?
It's a bit of a personal decision in terms of what companies you find appealing. But
something we've been hearing a lot about lately is a sense of purpose. If you have
a sense of what you'd like to do and things that drive you as a person, does the
company's business, philosophy, and culture match your purpose?
The other thing I would point to, particularly for people early in their careers, is to
find companies that are growing. As companies grow, opportunities grow. When you
look at companies that are restructuring, shrinking, or struggling, keep in mind that
they don't offer the same opportunity to excel, grow, or distinguish yourself.
Can you talk some more about culture and what candidates may want to
look for specifically?
I believe company culture is critically important for anyone. It can be hard because
companies have different divisions and departments, and those cultures can be
different. But to the extent that you can get a sense of the culture of the organization
and determine whether or not that culture matches the way you like to work and the
skills you bring and if they will value those skills, that's another aspect of the search
process people should consider.
I also encourage people not to be swayed by " flavors of the month. " Every year,
there's a hot trend. Think about what you bring to the table. I like to use the word
" sustainable. " Try to determine whether that company's business position and
opportunities are sustainable over time. Trendy companies tend to over-hire, resulting
in unsustainable roles.
Are there specific questions job seekers should ask to uncover a company's
culture?
I would ask to speak to the specific manager you would be reporting to. I would also
ask to speak to people in the team you will be working in. Additionally, ask about
business trends. Where is the business going? And how does this role fit into that
overall plan? Ask open-ended questions, not yes or no questions.
Pay and benefits are common focuses. Are there any other non-financial
factors that come to mind?
It is important to understand if the company has a culture and a corporate ethos that
embraces Black colleagues. Does it have resources that are strong and supportive of
Black colleagues? Also, if you can, try to get past some surface-level things and learn
what it's like to work in this position. If a company can provide that, that's a good sign.

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