At Oliver James, the satisfaction of our candidates is what matters most. We want to make sure that our candidates feel fully supported, so we keep in close contact at every stage of their journey with us. Here we speak to candidate Gergely about his experience with Oliver James Hong Kong.
“I’d been with my previous company for over 12 years. I had worked my way up to a reasonably senior position but had reached a point where there was no more room for progression, so I decided to take look for something new.”
During this time, Gergely decided to explore the possibilities of contracting.
“Coming from a permanent background, I was skeptical about contracting. I’d worked in the same place for over a decade, so the thought of job security lasting only 6-12 months was daunting.”
To help ease his mind and assist him in his search, Gergely sent his CV to a number of recruitment companies, including Oliver James Associates.
“Out of all the companies I contacted, Oliver James was the only one to provide a constant supply of opportunities to match my experience. This helped me feel more comfortable with my decision to become a contractor and assured me that I wasn’t taking too much risk by leaving a permanent role behind.
“OJ was also the only company that really took the time to understand me as a person. Instead of being treated like a resource, the team made sure they understood my main goals and motivations. They asked what I wanted from my career and about my plans for the future before presenting any roles, to make sure these were suitable.”
It didn’t take long for Gergely to find his first contracting role, which lasted for six months. After completion, he told Oliver James he needed more of a challenge, which is when he was introduced to Jonny Plews, Managing Director of our APAC division.
“I was advised that if I want to work and play hard then I need to go to Asia – but I’d just set up my own UK-based limited company, so moving to the other side of the world wasn’t something I’d considered. But after speaking with Jonny, I felt reassured and decided to give it a shot.”
Gergely was making a huge move, so it was important for Oliver James to provide regular updates, even if there were no significant changes to the status of his job search. Both the UK and HK teams provided impartial advice throughout Gergely’s search.
“At this point, my dream role was presented to me. But then things became complicated, so I began to really worry about my application. That’s when Jonny stepped in and called me directly. It is normally unusual for a managing director to provide one-to-one advice. Jonny was honest and open and gave advice without pressure. After this I was sure that I wanted to work with Oliver James.”
Gergely eventually landed his dream contracting role with Oliver James. The team assisted Gergely in his move to Hong Kong and has continued to check in on a regular basis to see how he is finding his new life in Asia.
“The relationship I have with Oliver James is much more than transactional. It goes beyond that. The team is not just interested in how things are formally going, there is a genuine interest in me as an individual and how I am adjusting in Hong Kong.
“I took the plunge into contracting because with Oliver James I didn’t feel alone. Since I began working with Oliver James in January 2019, I’ve felt supported by both the UK and HK teams. The OJ approach is different than other recruitment companies I have worked with, and I would definitely recommend OJ to anybody who is considering contracting.”
If you’re open to relocation and have an interest in contracting, contact Jonny Plews at jonny.plews@ojassociates.com for a confidential discussion about where you want to take your career.