Occupations: What do you do?

[TokyoBoglehead]

On the 80th post, I'm surprised that I'm the first one to write that I'm a recruiter (or as I like to refer to it, a Talent Acquisition Specialist). Started off on the agency side and moved internal about 10 years ago. Have been working for US based companies and enjoying the work. Proficiency in Japanese is often a must, but I've met some people with little to no Japanese doing the same (internal roles).

I've heard a lot about this industry from expat, there are some pretty entretched stereotypes and assumptions about this field it seems.

Can you give use an overview?

[captainspoke]

Some biking this month and last, but not as much as I'd like (or as much as last year).

Still taking some pics.

[captainspoke]

I take pictures here, but I don't take many/any 'japan' pictures. Nothing that a tourist might take.

(sorry for the interruption)

[DudeInJapan]

On the 80th post, I'm surprised that I'm the first one to write that I'm a recruiter (or as I like to refer to it, a Talent Acquisition Specialist). Started off on the agency side and moved internal about 10 years ago. Have been working for US based companies and enjoying the work. Proficiency in Japanese is often a must, but I've met some people with little to no Japanese doing the same (internal roles).

I've heard a lot about this industry from expat, there are some pretty entretched stereotypes and assumptions about this field it seems.

Can you give use an overview?

There are agency recruiters and then internal recruiters. The stereotypes are associated most with the agencies, but it's similar to any other sales profession like car salesmen, investment bankers, etc. You have a few bad apples that ruin it for the rest (I once interviewed a recruiter and asked her how she gets passed the gatekeeper or receptionist when cold calling candidates. Her response shocked me when she said that she would say that she is calling from XXX bank regarding an outstanding loan payment . Obviously, we did not hire her). With that said though, agency recruiting is a high stress, high pressure job, but also very rewarding if you are good at it. There are companies that pay 100% commission (very high risk in a downturn when your salary can easily go to zero for months and months), a draw salary (where basically receive a pre-paid salary but you have a monthly number for the salary you are paid plus associated business costs that you need to cover. If you miss, you start going into a hole and some never getting out) and ones that pay a base salary with some smaller amount of commission or team bonus.

Personally, I enjoy the internal side more as there is better stability, benefits and growth opportunities.

[madmick]

International school Phys. Ed. teacher.

Tokyo.

[madmick]

My work is with a US based online school. I teach kids from all over the world in a few subjects, one of which is personal finance. I do other things for the school as well and so I end up engaging in flexible work for about 20 hours a week, roughly 30 weeks a year accounting for all the holidays.

Interest in hearing more about this. Got a colleague teaching remote with a Chinese school.

[JapHans]

Fax repair man.

This is a possibility, but probably only in Japan .