From Corporate Sales to Top Biller: Huanhuan's Journey in IT Recruitment at RGF

Today, we are excited to feature Huanhuan Chen, from the Diverse Technics team. In just two short years at RGF Professional Recruitment Japan, Huanhuan has soared to become one of our top billers—despite having no prior experience in recruitment! Explore her remarkable journey, discover her insights, and find out how anyone can achieve success in the recruitment industry with the right mindset and determination.

Q. Can you tell us about your background and how you got into recruitment?

Huanhuan: Sure. I arrived in Japan in September 2017. After graduating from college, I joined a major Japanese trading company as a corporate sales representative. I worked there for about two years. In April 2022, I joined RGF as a mid-career hire and started as an Associate.

Currently, I’m part of the Diverse Technics team, specializing in the IT sector.

Q. Transitioning from corporate sales in logistics to recruitment is quite a shift. What led you to consider a career in recruitment?

Huanhuan : When I began my job search, I didn’t initially think of becoming a recruitment consultant. I wanted to utilize my language skills—Chinese, Japanese, and English—and saw a bright future in IT. I was introduced to RGF through RECRUIT Agent, and it seemed like a good fit.

Q. So it was a bit of a coincidence?

Huanhuan Chen: Yes, it was. I explored various companies, but RGF stood out because it aligned with all my career aspirations. Once I received the offer, I accepted it immediately.

Q. When you consulted with RECRUIT Agent, you weren't specifically looking for a job as a recruitment consultant, right?

Huanhuan: Correct. I was looking at various roles, including international sales. I wanted to work in a global environment, preferably in IT-related fields. Among the companies I considered, RGF seemed like a great place. During the interview process, I learned about the incentive-based system, which appealed to me. In my previous job at a traditional Japanese company, it was hard to get recognized for my efforts due to the seniority-based system. That was a key reason for my career change.

Q. Was the incentive-based system one of the main attractions for you in the recruitment consultant role?

Huanhuan: Yes, it was. The incentives, the global environment, and the IT-focused work were the three main attractions for me.

Q. Now, you’ve become an exceptional recruiter, achieving two double promotions in less than two years. How did you manage such rapid growth?

Huanhuan: Hard work is definitely one reason. Also, building relationships with candidates is crucial. In my previous job, I mainly did B2B sales, with little interaction with individuals. As a recruitment consultant, I get to work with both Clients and Candidates, which is very fulfilling. Building strong relationships with candidates has been key to my success. I often receive referrals from them.

Q. Building trust with candidates is vital, especially since you only interact with candidates as an Associate. How did you establish such strong relationships?

Huanhuan: I spent a lot of time talking with candidates, understanding their motivations and aspirations. For example, I’d sometimes have meals with them or celebrate their job offers with a dinner. This personal touch helps build trust, and they often refer their friends to me.

Q. Do you often ask for referrals from those you’ve successfully placed?

Huanhuan: Yes, I do. Even candidates who joined other companies still refer people to me. Maintaining these connections is important.

Q. As someone who excels in recruitment, what do you find challenging about your work?

Huanhuan: Business development (BD) can be challenging, especially with companies I have no prior connection with. It’s hard to get a response sometimes. I often seek advice from my team or join my senior colleagues on BD meetings to learn from them.

Q. What’s your most memorable success story?

Huanhuan: When I became an Associate Consultant, the first candidate I recommended was a Chinese professional. They had previously worked at a Chinese company and had no experience with SAP, having only undergone about three months of training. Their Japanese was at a very basic business level. However, they were extremely eager to join my client, a big Consulting firm, even if it meant accepting a lower salary. I was very determined to help them succeed.

Given the challenge of their Japanese proficiency, I assisted them with interview preparation, focusing on correcting their interview terminology and practicing pronunciation. After two or three sessions of intensive preparation, they received an offer from the company and joined. This was my first placement, and it was incredibly rewarding. It left a lasting impression on me.

We still keep in touch, and they are still employed there.

Q. What do you love most about your job?

Huanhuan: The sense of fulfillment. When I make a successful placement, both the candidate and the client are happy. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. Unlike regular sales, where only the seller benefits, in recruitment, everyone wins.

Q. What are your career goals?

Huanhuan: I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently and have discussed it with my manager. I aspire to move into a management role at RGF.

Q. What do you like most about RGF?

Huanhuan: The flat and flexible work environment. My previous company was very rigid with strict working hours, and it was difficult to take time off. At RGF, I have control over my schedule, which is a huge relief.

Q. You’re one of our top billers. How do you manage your work-life balance?

Huanhuan: I’ve gotten better at it compared to my previous job. I can leave early if needed, and I don’t mind working late occasionally because I love my job. The flexibility at RGF allows me to maintain a balance.

Q. Do you have any advice for those considering applying to RGF?

Huanhuan: If you lack industry knowledge or experience, it's essential to start by studying the basics of that industry. When I first began, I had almost no IT experience, so I had to invest a lot of time in learning. I read IT books and engaged in conversations with candidates as much as possible.

When speaking with candidates, it's not just a one-sided interview; you can learn a lot from them. They can teach you things that you won't find in books or through formal study. In fact, about half of my IT knowledge comes from these conversations with candidates.

During interviews, if there's something I don't understand, I ask questions like, "What is this about?" Candidates are usually very kind and explain things in greater detail than any book could. It's important to gain knowledge through study and to communicate effectively with candidates. Engaging with many candidates is crucial.

Consistency is key in this job. You need to keep at it consistently.

Even if you face setbacks or if candidates don't accept every offer, it's important to persevere. You have to keep working hard to present new offers and ensure they get accepted.

Thank you so much, Huanhuan, for sharing your inspiring journey and valuable insights. It's clear that your hard work, dedication, and ability to build strong relationships have been key to your success. Your story will undoubtedly motivate and guide many aspiring recruiters. We wish you continued success in your career and look forward to seeing you achieve your goals!

For those interested in being part of a dynamic, multilingual work environment, we are currently hiring!