Overcoming the fear of challenge and opening the door to new opportunity

Overcoming the fear of challenge and opening the door to new opportunity

Robert Walters was founded in the United Kingdom in 1985 and has since developed into a global business, operating in 31 countries worldwide. Robert Walters Japan, since opening its first office in Tokyo in 2000 and its second in Osaka in 2007, has been supporting career change in Japan for the past 19 years.

Today, foreign-affiliated companies are looking to hire increasing numbers of global talent, but what exactly is “global talent?” Jeremy Sampson, Managing Director of Robert Walters Japan, was asked what this phrase implies and the value in taking on new challenges in our lives.

What are the requirements to be recognised as “global talent” by foreign-affiliated companies?

Seventy-five percent of the career changes facilitated by Robert Walters Japan involve Japanese workers moving to foreign-affiliated companies and Japanese companies operating globally. Managing Director, Jeremy Sampson, explains that there are three main attributes that these companies look for when they specifically seek global talent. English language ability, he begins, is an important element, but other factors are equally as meaningful.

“English language skills are important in becoming global talent, but you don't need to be perfectly fluent in English. Rather, a lot of our clients look for specialists, not generalists. Our clients require experts with English capability combined with specific technical skills.”

Jeremy Sampson clarifies that “technical skills” are not necessarily limited to engineering or programming. Rather, the definition extends to include professional skillsets and expertise in areas such as accounting, human resources, and business partnering.

Employees who display independent thinking and initiative

Specialised expertise and English skills are recognised as global talent attributes, but Jeremy Sampson highlights another important factor; taking initiative and being an independent thinker.

“Foreign-affiliated companies look for independent, autonomous talent who can bring their own ideas and take initiative, people who do not simply act in response to instructions from their supervisors. This is the type of talent that can drive business. Companies expect their employees to come with suggestions, not to be order-takers who deliver on the ideas from the corporation or their boss.”

A certain mindset and personality, therefore, is integral to being recognised as global talent. Employees need to show flexibility, adaptability, and crucially, as Jeremy Sampson highlights, an ability to act independently and with initiative.

Overseas experience and having an MBA are not necessary requirements

So where can such global talent be found?

Jeremy Sampson jovially responds: “If we knew the perfect answer to that, our work would be much easier. So much of our business relies on sourcing and finding new candidates and we utilize a lot of diverse methods to achieve finding such talent. Any company or any department can have these people, it depends more on the individual personalities and mindsets than a specific place.”

Jeremy Sampson moves on to the topic of candidates having experience abroad: “Overseas experience can be beneficial but it is not essential for a global professional. Although it can provide many perspectives, technical abilities and skills that an individual can bring to a company, we have supported many people who have no overseas experience who can still conduct business globally.”

Managing Director, Jeremy Sampson, also emphasises that an MBA or other graduate-level education is not the most important factor in becoming global talent.

“What you can do is more important than what you know and what you have studied. Going to graduate school is not necessarily beneficial for your career. There is a tendency to view an MBA as a guaranteed elevator to greater success. While academia gives you greater knowledge and insight, and a broader perspective on business, going to graduate school does not provide automatic progression in your career, except perhaps in more technical areas such as science, technology and engineering”.

Global talent is more than English ability. It is a combination of English, specialised skills and personality. This type of personality can be identified by how the individual views their job and the work they are doing.

“Work is what defines who you are”

We asked Jeremy Sampson about his views on work and the prospect of changing jobs.

“Personally, I can say that this job and working at this company has shaped me into the person I am today. I am very fortunate in that I love my job. That is why I’ve been working in this industry with Robert Walters for 13 years and I look forward to coming to work every morning.”

“I don't know if everyone is as lucky as I am, but I think work and what we do is what defines us as individuals. Of course, it doesn't have to. However, I think if you enjoy what you do and you are passionate about it, I think it really can shape who you become.”

“Career change” is a major decision in one’s life

“Regardless of the circumstances, changing jobs is a major decision in one’s life. There are only a few life-changing events that people go through; getting married, having children, and I include changing jobs in that category. When people are preparing to change jobs, they have to be prepared for the changes in their life that come with it. It affects everything from your daily routine to changing who you work with every day, the relationships you have to rebuild and reform with people in a new team.”

“In some cases, people are not prepared to face such life changes. Some people are happy with lifetime employment in the same company. But there are others who aspire for more and want to challenge themselves and be prepared to take the required steps, which is not always easy. Our job is to help these people make that transition.”

“Taking on a challenge” is to overcome the fear in your mind

If the challenge of changing jobs demands such large adjustments in life, is it the right decision? Managing Director, Jeremy Sampson, points out the benefits of changing jobs and how “taking on a challenge is to overcome fear”.

“Changing jobs could result in a better work environment for the candidate, they may be working on something they are passionate about and proud of. It could bring increased salary or faster career progression and the opportunity to realise goals. These are all tangible benefits, but the sense of challenge brings with it the sense of achievement. People always learn something new when taking on a challenge, and they can add a new dimension to their capabilities. By taking on a new challenge and succeeding, you can gain more experience and overcome your fears about change.”

“Taking on a challenge can be a source of happiness and fulfilment. The curiosity that comes with taking on a challenge changes your mindset and puts you in a different place, physically, mentally, and emotionally, which is how you grow as an individual. For those who are not satisfied with the status quo, taking on new challenges may be the answer.”

Robert Walters, a consultative service supporting those who are considering taking on a challenge

How does Robert Walters support the challenge of changing jobs when it causes such major life changes?

Managing Director, Jeremy Sampson, stresses that the company has a long history of supporting career change, which allows them to provide candidates with quality advice and a wide range of choices. The consultants are ready to educate those looking for a new challenge and what is available for them. But more importantly, the company offers support and coaching through long-term trusted relationships with their candidates. The idea is to act as a partner who helps and advises each candidate to achieve their goals.

“At Robert Walters, our consultants do not work on commission. There is no reason to add unnecessary pressure on the candidate to change jobs. If they are hesitant to take on a new challenge, then our consultants may advise that maintaining the status quo is the best choice at that time.”

“Robert Walters will support and advise the candidate through building a long-term relationship. It is not unusual for us to provide support for one to three years before the candidate decides to change jobs. Our speciality is to understand a person’s passion and provide advice on jobs or companies, to facilitate their aspirations and support the individual.”

Seeking to help professionals with global ambitions

Finally, Managing Director, Jeremy Sampson, was asked to share a message to the global talent that Robert Walters is looking for.

“Our goal is to help Japan become more global. We are looking for people who seek a challenge in this globalised world, who feel unsatisfied with their current situation and want to know what their potential is. We want to help Japanese companies globalise and be more competitive on a global stage. The result is that we see individuals become more global, too.”

Jeremy Sampson highlights the importance of relationships with the candidates and preparing them for change: “We want to develop long-term relationships with people who are looking for a job or career change. If candidates are not confident about the options available to them, we can meet with them and provide support to understand their background and the issues they are currently facing.”

“The process of changing jobs can be stressful and we cannot eliminate that stress, but we can try and minimize it as much as possible by preparing them and helping them understand what the challenges are and help them overcome those challenges.”

In this era of globalisation, companies are seeking global talent. Such talent not only possesses specialised expertise and English-language abilities, but also a personality that acts autonomously and with initiative. When faced with the major challenge of changing jobs, Robert Walters is a trusted partner with consultants who will support and facilitate that challenge and help you overcome the fear of change.