Expanding Career Possibilities for Global Talent: Huanhuan Chen on the Essence of Career Support

Supporting global talent is one of our core strengths. In this series, we explore how our consultants connect candidates and clients, helping individuals unlock their potential and achieve their career goals.

This time, we speak with Huanhuan Chen, who specializes in supporting international candidates, particularly in the IT field. By addressing everyone’s concerns and uncertainties, she introduces opportunities they may not have previously considered and helps broaden their career paths. In this interview, we take a closer look at her approach.

Could you share a memorable case where you felt you were able to expand a candidate’s potential?

One case that stands out involved an international candidate with a background at a system integrator. Their Japanese was highly fluent, but they felt they were not yet ready to move into a consulting role due to concerns about their skills and language ability. At the time, they had already received an offer from another company and were leaning toward accepting it.

From my perspective, however, their potential was clear, and I felt it would be a missed opportunity for them to choose a different path. I worked closely with the client and encouraged the candidate to attend an initial interview, suggesting they approach it as a 30-minute conversation rather than something to overprepare for.

As a result, the company I introduced recognized their potential and extended an offer. The candidate secured a higher salary and transitioned into an upstream role they had originally hoped to reach in the future. They continue to perform well at the company today. It was a case where a career step they expected to take in a few years became a reality much sooner.

You are known for your strength in supporting international candidates. Is there anything you are particularly mindful of when working with them in Japan?

I do not consciously change my approach based on nationality. Instead, I focus on communicating in a way that aligns with each individual’s personality and values.

That said, as someone originally from China, I believe candidates from similar backgrounds often feel more at ease speaking with me and tend to open up more honestly. In addition, having built my own career within Japanese companies, I can share from experience that international professionals can achieve meaningful career growth here.

International candidates often have concerns that go beyond language and culture. Topics such as visa status and long-term career stability are important considerations, and many candidates carefully assess whether a move will truly benefit them and provide a sustainable working environment.

With this in mind, I aim not only to introduce opportunities but also to explain how each option may shape their future career, so they can make informed decisions with confidence.

How does working with a recruitment consultant help expand a candidate’s career options?

Many candidates tend to view their next step simply as an extension of their current role. For example, they may assume that because they have a certain type of experience, they can only move into a similar position. In doing so, they may unintentionally limit their own options.

By providing insights into the market and client needs, we can highlight alternative paths they may not have considered. When candidates realize that their experience can be applied in different ways, it often opens up new possibilities and can significantly change how they view their careers.

At the same time, I do not push candidates in a specific direction. I believe it is important to present multiple options and allow them to make their own decisions with a clear understanding of each path.

What do you value most when building relationships with candidates?

I place great importance on meeting candidates in person whenever possible. While online meetings have become more common, there are still many aspects that are difficult to fully understand without face-to-face interaction.

Meeting in person helps build trust more quickly and makes it easier for candidates to share their honest thoughts. As a result, relationships often continue even after a successful placement, sometimes leading to future introductions.

I do not see this as anything special, but rather as the result of consistently taking the time to engage with each individual.

In your support process, where do candidates tend to find the most value?

Interview preparation is one of the areas where candidates find the most value. I work closely with them on details such as communication style, how to present their experience, and how to approach different types of interviews.

Rather than simply providing materials, I always hold a session before interviews to review potential questions and discuss how best to communicate their strengths.

Many candidates, especially those changing jobs for the first time, feel uncertain about the process. I aim to reduce that anxiety as much as possible. For international candidates in particular, expressing themselves clearly in Japanese can be challenging, so we work together to organize their thoughts and build confidence ahead of interviews.

Finally, do you have a message for international professionals who are looking to advance their careers in Japan?

Japanese language ability is very important. Even for engineers, it is essential, particularly in roles that involve client interaction.

Understanding Japanese business culture is also key. Communication style, teamwork, and how ideas are shared all play an important role in the workplace. At the same time, in more international environments, there is often a stronger emphasis on initiative and self-expression, so it is important to choose an environment that suits you.

I encourage international professionals to continue developing their skills and to take on the challenge of building their careers in Japan.

Thank you very much.

Huanhuan Chen’s approach goes beyond simply introducing job opportunities. By presenting options that candidates may not yet be aware of and supporting them throughout the process, she helps turn potential into tangible career outcomes.

Through a combination of market insight and trusted relationships, she expands what candidates believe is possible. Over time, this enables individuals to move from thinking “this may not be possible yet” to taking confident steps toward new opportunities.

At RGF Professional Recruitment Japan, we take the time to understand each individual’s experience and aspirations, providing tailored options based on market insights to help expand their career possibilities. We invite you to get in touch.

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