"Getting back on track with the corporate dream”

For ten years, Huy Tran’s career trajectory went only one way: up. But life can throw some unexpected twists, and for Huy, that came in the form of a call from home that led him to resign from his hard-earned senior marketing position at one of Vietnam’s largest FMCG businesses.

He quickly found himself in wildly different circumstances. First, he was back in his hometown of Da Nang. Then, he became a business owner, operating a chain of high-end convenience stores named Azura Mart. It may seem like a reasonable progression for a driven individual, but Huy never left behind his corporate ambitions.

“My career in marketing began at a global FMCG giant. I’ve always strived to surpass the challenges I set for myself, like maximising market share or topping the revenue charts for the brands I managed,” says Huy. “So, when Robert Walters approached me, it stoked my desire to return to an MNC environment and challenge myself in marketing again.”

Three years had passed since Huy worked in the corporate sector, but Van Ha, a consultant at Robert Walters Vietnam, saw something special in his profile. She intuited that he might make a good fit for a position on the branding team at a global beer brand. After they caught up, Huy decided to go for it.

“Van and Robert Walters Vietnam were extremely dedicated to helping me succeed. They always made me feel listened to and cared for...”

Some companies may question if candidates with gaps away from corporate are up to speed with the latest industry practices. This was the case for the role Huy was gunning for. Van addressed that by connecting Huy’s experience to the specific requirements of the role, shining a spotlight on his past projects and wins.

Once the interview was in the bag, it was on to the prep work. Huy recalls, “Van and I covered a lot – updates on the job market, the strengths and weaknesses in my resume, detailed information about the interviewers, interview tips, and even the best camera angle for online interviews.”

Huy closed out 2021 with a new job as a Senior Brand Manager. Since moving back to Ho Chi Minh City, his FMCG marketing career has shifted back into high gear. He and Van have also met up in-person and become fast friends.

“Van and Robert Walters Vietnam were extremely dedicated to helping me succeed. They always made me feel listened to and cared for,” he says. “I’ve referred other senior marketers in my network to them – something I don’t normally do – because I trust that this is a team that supports people’s career aspirations.”