Rosie Cao, a distinguished alumna of the GHRM-MBA program at the College of Management, National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU), epitomizes the fusion of academic prowess and practical application in the global business landscape. In an illuminating interview, Rosie shared invaluable insights garnered from her transition from academia to the professional realm, offering guidance to students of the IBMBA and GHRM-MBA programs as they chart their career trajectories.

Currently, Rosie thrives in her role as a recruitment consultant at Michael Page, where she navigates the intricate terrain of talent acquisition with finesse and precision. Michael Page is a renowned global recruitment consultancy firm that specializes in placing candidates in permanent, temporary, and interim positions across various industries. Established in the UK in 1976, the company has expanded its operations worldwide, operating in over 35 countries and territories.

In Vietnam, Michael Page has established a strong presence, leveraging its expertise in recruitment services to cater to the country's growing demand for skilled professionals across different sectors. With offices in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Michael Page Vietnam provides tailored recruitment solutions to local and international businesses operating in the country. The company's services in Vietnam encompass a wide range of industries, including but not limited to finance, banking, IT, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, and consumer goods. Rosie's field of head-hunting lies in Engineering and Manufacturing.

Rosie evaluates the working environment at Michael Page as professional, supportive, dynamic, comfortable, and open-minded. The company pays great attention to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. Training programs aimed at enhancing employees' professional skills are provided comprehensively and systematically. She is completely satisfied with the current working environment.

Rosie secured this job thanks to her relationship with an alumnus of the NSYSU IBMBA program. This friend of Rosie's had a connection with a senior manager at Michael Page. It was this friend who recommended Rosie to that manager and allowed her to interview at Michael Page. Despite having to undergo an extremely rigorous and lengthy interview process including interviews, presentations, and observation, Rosie's perseverance, determination, and passion for HR work helped her surpass other candidates to secure the position.

According to Rosie, the recommendation of the IBMBA alumnus, her graduation from the NSYSU GHRM-MBA Master's program - an internationally taught program in English, her extracurricular activities (Vice President of the Student Association, and her participation in two business idea competitions), along with her fluency in English and Chinese, helped her stand out from other candidates applying for the position. Her only weakness was her lack of work experience. However, the company's leadership probably saw her potential and allowed her to prove herself.

For international students aspiring to pursue degrees and kickstart their careers in Taiwan or beyond, Rosie offers a comprehensive roadmap to success. She emphasizes the significance of cultivating a strong foundation in corporate affairs and human resources, coupled with proficient English presenting and project management skills. Moreover, Rosie advocates for the cultivation of self-discipline, adaptability, and a thirst for international exposure, essential qualities for thriving in diverse professional environments. Rosie extols the virtues of pursuing a master's degree in Taiwan, highlighting the incentives of proactive job searching, language acquisition, and network expansion within the country. She emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in the local culture and forging meaningful connections to leverage the plethora of opportunities.

As a human resources professional working in the recruitment field, Rosie has a clear understanding of the labor market situation in Vietnam. Over the past two years, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the labor market in Vietnam has become very challenging. Companies are all in a phase of downsizing their workforce. A single position may attract anywhere from 100 to 200 applicants. The recruitment process has become lengthy and meticulous, sometimes lasting up to 3 months. Ultimately, the company may only hire 1 out of 100 candidates, leaving the other 99 individuals who spent 3 months pursuing a position unsuccessful.

However, Rosie assesses that the market is still undergoing positive changes, and the demand for recruiting high-quality personnel for middle and senior management positions remains constant. Ho Chi Minh City continues to be a dynamic environment with numerous opportunities for international candidates seeking employment in multinational corporations. Da Nang is also a good option because recently, some chip manufacturing plants and electronic equipment factories have been established there, leading to an increase in demand for personnel. However, due to its geographical, cultural, and lower population density characteristics, the competition ratio for each recruitment position in Da Nang will be lower, making it a potential labor market.

According to Rosie, the most widely used job websites in Vietnam, in order, are LinkedIn, Vietnamworks, and CareerBuilder. The position she currently holds was also advertised on LinkedIn. However, she received a recommendation from a senior management member, so the most important reason that helped her secure her current job is effectively leveraging personal relationships.

In conclusion, Rosie Cao's journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and the boundless opportunities that await those who dare to dream and excel. Her insights serve as a guiding light for students of the IBMBA and GHRM-MBA programs, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to carve out their paths to success in the dynamic world of global business. Her perspective on the labor market in Vietnam would also be extremely useful for students who intend to develop their careers in the Southeast Asian region in general, or Vietnam specifically.

NGUYEN LE QUANG

IBMBA Program

College of Management - NSYSU

Vice President of the 112-2 International Student Association