At Oliver James, the satisfaction of our candidates is what matters most. From the initial point of contact, we keep in close contact to ensure our candidates feel fully supported through every stage of their recruitment journey.
Each person has a different story. This week, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we speak to Liza Ovinova, Managing Consultant in our Hong Kong office – who successfully placed a female candidate at c-suite level in a global insurance company.
Tell us about your candidate...
My candidate had extensive experience in the general insurance industry but was finding it hard to identify a suitable opportunity in the market. Being from Hong Kong – a major hub for life insurance – senior roles in the general market are very hard to come by, so the candidate reached out to us.
Were you able to find the candidate something straight away?
Due to the nature of the market at this level, it took us five months before we found a suitable role for the candidate, during which time she had migrated to the IT industry. Although we couldn’t help her straight away we kept in regular contact, making sure she was aware of any changes in the job market. Then we found the perfect role – Regional CFO for a global insurance company.
How long did the process take once you'd find the role?
Due to the nature of the role, the process was long – with six interviews taking place before she secured her role. At this point it was so important for us to make sure we were there to support the candidate and keep her motivated.
How were you able to keep the candidate motivated for so long?
We kept in close contact throughout the entire process, keeping her updated on every single development. We made sure the candidate was fully prepared and feeling confident for all six interviews, as well as providing client feedback at all stages. Even if there were no developments in the process, we made sure we checked in with the candidate on a weekly basis.
What happened after all those interviews?
It was such a great match on so many levels and our candidate excelled in each stage of the process. The client offered her the role with great pleasure, which the candidate accepted. However, because the candidate’s sole motivation was the role itself, before we took the offer to her, we made sure to negotiate a suitable salary and competitive benefits package on her behalf.
How satisfied was the candidate?
She was incredibly satisfied with the service we provided and was able to return to her career in the insurance industry almost immediately. However, this placement was not just a huge achievement for the candidate – it was a huge accomplishment for OJ too.
Not only did we place a female candidate at c-suite level – a rarity for the Hong Kong insurance industry – we established such a level of trust with the client that it decided to extend its relationship with OJ, who recently established a partnership with OJ Singapore.
If you would like to discuss your future in Hong Kong, or if you're a client looking for a trusted recruitment partner, email Liza at liza.ovinoa@ojassociates.com or give her a call on +852 3018 4618 to find out more.
