As part of our commitment to continually improving our services, Specialized Group's Daniel Biggs conducted a candidate interview with T. Tran. Daniel recently helped T. Tran find a new position as an Assistant Human Resources Manager.
1) Please tell us about your career to date?
My background is in teaching and training. In short, I started out as a teacher in Japan, then moved onto the training field and eventually into the hospitality industry.
2) What triggered you to change jobs?
I relocated to Tokyo for personal reasons and although I did consider working in a different field, I ended up going back to hospitality. I enjoy working in hotels and especially training and supporting people in their professional growth in the hotel business.
3) What were the factors in accepting the opportunity that Specialized Group introduced you to?
I think the two biggest factors were the working environment and employee benefits. The culture of this particular company is very relaxed and family-like. There is also room for growth and stepping up within the company which is what I’m after in my career. On top of that, they provide great benefits and it shows just how much they care about their employees.
4) Did anything make you uneasy to change your job? How did you solve or overcome the uneasiness?
Changing jobs is always a bit uneasy and challenging no matter where you go or what industry you go into. Personally, for me, it was challenging in that it’s looking for a job in a city that I have no experience in. Everything was new to me and so I did not really know where to start. The cost of living is also a factor so when changing jobs, I needed to be careful in my negotiations and making sure I could get a good opportunity along with having a fun working environment.
5) What did you think about the services given by Specialized Group?
Searching for a new job is not easy and there are hurdles out there. Luckily for me, the Talent Acquisition Specialist who worked with me was very understanding and patient. He kept an eye out for new opportunities, even if one did not go as we both expected. He persisted for a couple of months until he found me the job. I am very grateful to him and his services. Specialized Group might not be a big recruiting company, but I think because of that, the services I received felt more personal and genuine.
6) Do you have a message for those changing jobs?
Yes. Keep looking and don’t give up. When we try to find a new job or a new career it is never easy at first. If opportunities come up, don’t be afraid to go to the interview. It doesn’t hurt and costs you nothing. I learned a lot in my search for the right job and after each interview, I always walked away with a better idea of what I wanted. The other thing to keep in mind is a humble start can lead you to greater things. Sometimes when we change jobs, we expect better benefits or better compensation right away. It’s normal to want that but if the new job provides a healthier working environment and you can see a future there, then take the chance, even if it seems like a step back. In my case, I was offered something better because they were impressed with me at the interview. So, go to those interviews even if you don’t want to or think it’s not for you. If they can see what kind of person you are or hear about your experience directly, they might offer you something better.
