11/22/2011 | Hiring in Japan
QUESTION:
I am considering opening offices in Japan and will need to hire several managers. I hear that competition for these employees is very fierce. How can I find a bigger pool to choose from?
REPLY:
You may want to consider the untapped sources of employees – namely, females and mid-career hires.
Japan has the lowest percentage of female employees of any industrialized country at 23%. They are rarely promoted to management positions and are paid up to 60% less than their male counterparts. Women in Japan are very eager to work for foreign companies because they think they will have better opportunities.
Alternatively, you can consider mid-career hires. These are skilled candidates who have left their company. Cultural practices in Japan make it very difficult for these candidates to go back to the Japanese system. Working in a foreign company would be very appealing for these mid-career hires.