Japan is the toughest market in the world to recruit in. The fees are an eye-watering 30-35%. That is, a recruiter receives 30-35% of a candidate’s annual salary if they’ve successfully recruited the candidate to another company. That might sound lucrative – and it is! – but the lack of talent and mobility in the Japan market means that a recruiter may not make a placement for months.

Nick Mina is a good mate of mine and former colleague when I was recruiting in Tokyo many years ago. These days, Nick has his own company, Aristos & Mina, specialising in the Asset Management sector. Because he’s his own boss, he calls the shots. He’s been in the market long enough now that he’s built himself a solid reputation. He focuses on retained search, which gives him exclusivity and where clients pay him up-front; and not contingency, where he would be competing with other firms and may not even get paid at all.

How does he market himself in Japan? Well, personal connections and that ability to pick up the phone and talk to hiring managers are the bread-and-butter of the recruitment business.

Aristos & Mina
https://aristosandmina.com/

Chris Ashmore Media
https://chrisashmore.media/

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