"Robert Walters was the relationship that helped me get where I wanted to be”

Tony Li had all the qualities of a great sales professional in the making. He was outgoing, friendly, eager to engage with clients – and good at it. But there was just one thing that was holding his career back: his job.

“I found my previous role through a local job board. After a while, it became obvious that it wasn’t the right fit,” he explains. “The company was very structured and efficient, but I was hoping for a sales role where I had more autonomy to provide solutions for my clients.”

Luckily, Tony’s sociable personality meant he had a supportive community of friends. When he expressed his desire for change, he was put in touch with Dicky Leung, a consultant at Robert Walters Hong Kong.

“Unlike other recruiters who might simply present all of the roles they were working on to their candidates, Dicky took the time to understand me and my story," Tony relates. 

“Before we met, all I knew was that I wanted a sales role in a relatively stable industry. After our conversations, I gained a better picture of my strengths and preferences. That helped us to save time and narrow down the opportunities that were right for me.”

Dicky then followed up with three roles. One, an account manager position at a construction firm, immediately caught Tony’s attention. Although it was worlds apart from his experience in sanitary products, his doubts melted away once he learned more how well the opportunity aligned with his expectations.

The support ramped up in the interview stage. Armed with Dicky’s insights into the company’s business challenges and priorities, Tony navigated the interviews with confidence. Some of the questions were even mirrored those from the practice sessions that Dicky had arranged for him on Robert Walters’ video interview platform.

Three years have passed since Tony has moved into his new role. He reports that his experience has played out so closely to what Dicky had presented: “Now that I have direct ownership of my clients, I’ve formed lasting relationships by partnering with them to solve their business problems. It’s empowered me to develop my own style as a salesperson, and I’m also happy with the targets and rewards system in place here.”

Besides being the right career fit, the company’s emphasis on work-life balance has also given Tony the space for other essential relationships. He has been able to carve out more time for his family, and on the weekends, he can often be found playing football with his friends.

“To those seeking change in their career, I say that it’s possible with help from the right people. Dicky and the Robert Walters team was the relationship that helped me get where I wanted to be,” he smiles.