Transitions in life often mirror the changing seasons. For Hao Nguyen, the next phase in his career felt imminent as he crossed the ten-year milestone with the global semiconductor company where he had honed his expertise as a supply chain professional.
“It was a world-class organisation. I served in roles where I was an individual contributor, plus others where I managed a team,” Hao reflects. “All of which were amazing experiences that gave me the confidence that I could establish a lasting supply chain career in the tech industry.”
Although Hao had an excellent run there, he started to feel drawn towards a different challenge. Christmas came, and on two separate occasions during that period, Hao met people in his network who encouraged him to explore avenues outside of the tech industry. Both of them recommended that he speak to Robert Walters Vietnam.
That was how Hao got connected to Yen Nguyen, a consultant specialising in the supply chain sector. Prior to recruitment, Yen spent seven years in supply chain and procurement, so Hao sensed that she truly understood his position. They spoke freely about some of his concerns, chief of which were around entering a new industry.
“The bulk of my experience has been in tech. I feared this might limit my remuneration or opportunities as hiring managers would prefer candidates with relevant domain knowledge,” Hao explains. “Also, having to pick up another industry from scratch just seemed daunting.”
These worries abated the more Hao spoke more with Yen, who highlighted Hao’s transferrable skillsets and his growth potential as a senior supply chain professional.
“Yen helped me see the possibilities – that I was capable of so much more. I found the courage to step out of my comfort zone,” remarks Hao.
“After every interview, she gave me tips on how I could improve. She was reliable and responsive all the way through to the negotiation and offer stages.”
Two months after connecting with Yen, Hao officially ushered in a new season in his career at a luxury goods conglomerate. For more than three years now, Hao has served as a Supply Chain Manager at the company’s wine and spirits division, where he also enjoys better work-life balance, compensation and benefits. Through many changes at the company before and after the pandemic, Hao has become a trusted member of the team. He can now manage the supply chain end-to-end and his remit has expanded from Vietnam to include other Southeast Asian markets.
Just like his friends at Christmas, Hao now raves about the value of a partner like Robert Walters for job seekers. “Yen connected the dots among my strengths, experiences and preferences, and also helped me challenge my own limits. She streamlined the process and saved time for everybody involved,” he states. “The job hunt becomes a more fruitful experience with recruiters like Yen, who genuinely care and want you to succeed.”
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