From manufacturing and supply chain management to recruitment

After deciding to be a professional recruitment consultant, Nick Huang joined Robert Walters in 2016 and he's now a senior consultant of the Supply Chain, Logistics and Procurement division in our Taiwan office.

We asked him why he made the switch to recruitment and how his previous industry experience has helped him progress in his recruitment career.

 

 

Why did you decide to switch your career path to recruitment?

I worked as a supply chain manager in the manufacturing industry and as a sales manager in the consumer-product industry for many years. A few years ago, I was struggling to see how I could further advance my career. At that time, I met a consultant from Robert Walters that kindly advised me on my career progression. He noticed that my strong communication and negotiation skills, as well my ability to understand the client’s perspective, which I had accumulated in my earlier roles, are a perfect fit to the recruitment industry. Though this had never occurred to me before I thought – why not?

What made Robert Walters the right choice for you?

I was particularly impressed by the company’s commitment to employees’ personal development by providing ongoing training. In addition, the prospect of autonomous work really appealed to me. Although it took me some time to adapt to the new career, I was determined to unleash my potential and to take up fresh challenges. For me, one of the best aspects of working at Robert Walters is: if you’re willing to put in the effort, there are no limits to where you can take your career.

Also, I love coming to work as teamwork is the core value that runs through the heart of Robert Walters Taiwan’s business. If our clients look for talent from different divisions, the respective teams collaborate and provide the best solutions. It’s a very positive and supportive environment, so it’s unsurprising that many of us have developed close friendships and enjoy socialising outside of work.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

A very large company came to us last year to recruit a general manager. It’s no secret that they're very demanding when it comes to candidates and that the hiring process would be very difficult. It took me a few months to partner with them – from understanding their needs, the company's culture and organisational structure, to recommending the best talent. It gave me a great sense of achievement that the hiring manager was very satisfied with the whole process.

Robert Walters’ meritocratic culture also meant efforts are truly recognised. The monetary incentives, trips, vouchers and top-performer lunches are just some of the perks to look forward to when working here. And in February this year, I was one of the chosen for this year’s incentive trip to Las Vegas. It was a valuable and amazing trip, and I met a lot of outstanding colleagues from all over the world.

What advice would you give to someone considering a move into recruitment?

Communication is key. You need to have genuine interest in interacting with different people and collaborate effectively in a team. Apart from that, being able to demonstrate strong industry knowledge is incredibly useful in strengthening relationships with clients. It certainly adds to your credibility and gives clients confidence.

While it’s a collaborative environment, being competitive is key to unlocking amazing financial benefits and progressing rapidly in Robert Walters. If you’re goal-oriented and driven, you are well placed to succeed in recruitment and our team!

We are here to help you build a successful career, contact Nick Huang if you want a separate conversation.