Charlotte Kennedy-Takahashi President

What would you describe as Oak Associates' strong points?
Firstly, we are a genuinely international group of people, which makes us well positioned to bridge the gap between foreign companies and the local labor market. We are known to be ethical and honest in our recruiting practices and have built up a good reputation over the past 20 years. Also, there is a great sense of teamwork between colleagues and different business divisions in our companyÑthey really support each other, and the client benefits from the results generated by that atmosphere too. Our active client base has grown to around 300 firms since 1981.

Are there opportunities for non-Japanese job- seekers with your clients?
Our clients are usually seeking Japanese candidates, but I have noticed an increasing openness to non-Japanese. Foreigners made up maybe 5% of our placements a few years ago, but that is now up to somewhere around 10-15%. We attribute this market openness to two main factors. Firstly, a very limited and gradual but still tangible internationalization of the job market, whereby the special skills a foreigner can contribute are coming to be more appreciated, especially in high-growth industries like IT. Secondly, a growing pool of talented foreign professionals who have made a serious long-term career commitment to Japan, including learning the language, and who are often available on a local-hire basis. We offer a professional career counseling service for expatriates, and in some cases may refer them to our overseas partners for additional assistance.

Does the current recession affect your business?
Our current fiscal year has been the best ever. As you know, there is very substantial direct new foreign investment into Japan at the moment, as well as considerable expansion of existing operations. We benefit a lot from the current strength of Western economies, particularly that of the US. Foreign companies sense that there are opportunities here now, and the timing is good. This can be due to lower business costs, deregulation, or perceived future opportunities. Looking at the motivation to enter or expand in Japan, it is a different situation from a decade ago when Japan was booming - back then foreign companies were in a weaker position, but felt they couldn't afford to miss out on a market of such size and wealth despite the high costs and difficulties of doing business here. On the candidate side, the recession does not necessarily make it easier to find good people. For example, many people who have lost their jobs may be solid professionals but not specialized or international enough for our client base. Demand for really good, specialized candidates (for example, a dynamic, bilingual software sales manager, or various types of engineers) still exceeds supply. Economic uncertainty also makes some people more cautious and risk-averse, eager to hold onto to what they already have. Overall though, I would say the current sense that Japan is in transition and that changes need to be made to the traditional business model tends to make people more open-minded about new career opportunities.

With Internet recruiting expanding, do you feel there will always be a role for companies like Oak Associates?
We have our own Internet homepage and are fully aware of how useful a tool and advertising vehicle it can be. I think online recruiting is a great resource and will grow. But I think there will always be a role for professional input and support in assessing people. Remember that we offer companies access to the networks of contacts we have built up over decades. When we represent the client, we save them time by evaluating candidates in terms of qualifications, personality, and genuine interest in the position well before any meeting. Also, candidates will be fully briefed on the finer points of the job and corporate culture well before they meet the client, which increases their chance of interview success. Lastly, both client companies and candidates are busier nowadays, and there is information overload to a certain extent. Companies can get overwhelmed with resumes and applications. Both clients and candidates seem to appreciate focused professionals who can filter out what is irrelevant and bring their attention to what is important.

How does Oak Associates see future growthÑany plans to expand outside Japan?
We have partners in the US already, and are currently developing affiliates in Europe. We have always been an "international" company in this market, in terms of our employees, client base, and business style, but now we are becoming a truly worldwide operation. This makes us better equipped to serve the needs of global clients, and I think there are very few other HR companies who have the competencies and internal human resources to do so as effectively as we do. On the candidate side, we see our future in terms of supporting the career development of the midlevel international professional or specialist.

Company Highlights
Oak Associates, K.K.
HEAD OFFICE: Aoki Building, 3F 4-1-10 Toranomon Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
Tel: +81-3-5472-7077
Fax: +81-3-5472-7076 jobs@oakassociates.co.jp
OSAKA OFFICE Tel: +81-6-6441-2581
Fax: +81-6-6441-2560
oakosaka@gol.com
URL: http://www. oakassociates.co.jp
Established: 1981
Number of Staff in Japan: 23 full-time
Main Products or Services: Bilingual recruiting and HR consulting
Target Market: Foreign companies in various industries, including IT and finance
Current Positions Open: 300 positions in various industries, staff and management level
Human Resources Contact: Lowri Jones, HR Consultant ljones@oakassociates.co.jp
Fax: +81-3-5472-7076

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