I’m rediscovering myself through recruitment

For Timothy Cheng, Manager of Finance at the Commerce division in Robert Walters Hong Kong, his career journey has been one of courage and self-discovery. After over a decade in accounting and finance, Timothy made the bold decision to switch careers and start fresh in recruitment, a move that would ultimately help him rediscover his true strengths.

 

Taking the leap to build something new

I started my career following the traditional path for accounting professionals. I began at a Big Four firm as an accountant, after a few years and career moves, I rose to Group Management Accountant. By all accounts, I was on a stable and successful trajectory, but deep down, something didn’t feel right.

I’ve always known that I’m a people person, but back then, I couldn’t quite articulate it. All I knew was that when I pictured myself five or ten years down the road, I didn’t see myself as a finance controller or CFO. I didn’t want to spend my life just working with numbers.

The pressure built slowly over time. It wasn’t that I couldn’t do the work; it was that I knew I could excel at something else. Despite my success, I found myself questioning my future. After more than 10 years in the industry, I decided it was time for a change.

Recruitment came to mind because of my positive experiences with recruiters over the years — particularly those from Robert Walters. The consultants here left a strong impression on me. They were professional, genuinely interested in understanding my background and story, and their follow-up was excellent. But even with this inspiration, pivoting mid-career felt daunting in ways it wouldn’t for someone just starting out. Around me, people questioned why I would risk such stability.

In 2022, I took the leap and joined Robert Walters as a consultant. Looking back now, it was both daunting and liberating. It took guts to leave behind what I had built for over a decade, but I told myself there was nothing to lose, all I needed to do was try my best.

 

Starting over and building strong foundations

Starting from scratch wasn’t easy after spending so many years in another field. The first two weeks were filled with confusion. Recruitment meant learning an entirely new way of working. Thankfully, Robert Walters provided structured training programs and unwavering support from mentors and colleagues who guided me every step of the way. 

What made the transition smoother was my industry expertise. “Having worked in accounting and finance myself, I could connect with clients and candidates on a deeper level because I understood their challenges firsthand.”

Within six months of joining Robert Walters, my billing reflected the fresh energy I brought into this new role. For the first time in my career, I felt like I could truly be myself.

 

Thriving in a people-first culture

One of the things I appreciate most about Robert Walters is its people-first culture, something that resonates deeply with my own values as someone who thrives on building relationships.

The people here are our strongest asset.

 

Coming from large corporations, I find comfort in how structured, yet flexible Robert Walters is as an organisation. “There’s so much trust here, leaders trust your ability to manage your schedule, deliver results, and make deals happen.”

What motivates me most is the human connection that recruitment brings. “The human connection is what brings the most value,” It’s about moments that can’t be measured by metrics alone: seeing clients satisfied with your service or hearing candidates express genuine appreciation for helping them find their dream job. These are the moments that make this work so fulfilling.

Every client or candidate is like a new story or chapter waiting to be written.

Even setbacks have become part of my growth journey. Not everything is controllable in recruitment, but every challenge presents an opportunity to learn and improve.

 

Advice for anyone ready to take the leap

Having walked this path myself, my advice to anyone considering a career change is simple: take that first step with confidence. Nothing is impossible if you’re willing to try. Take that first step, you’ll be amazed by what you learn along the way.

Perseverance is key, and most importantly, know yourself: understand what you truly enjoy doing and align your career with your passions. Once you do that, everything will fall into place.

Looking back on my journey so far, I feel grateful for how far I’ve come, not just professionally but personally too. Recruitment hasn’t only given me a fulfilling career; it has also helped me rediscover who I truly am.