AEC Japan founders Ramin Ojani and Rambo
Halpern Maki Nibayashi
If you' a qualified professional pounding Japan's pavement in search of a job, a trip to
your local headhunter could save you time and energy. Maki Nibayashi talks to Rambo Halpern, co-founder of
AEC Japan, headhunters extraordinaire.
Please tell us a bit about your company.
AEC Japan was founded two years ago by Ramin Ojani and Rambo Halpern. We both worked at a
mid-sized Japanese outsourcing and IT firm before jointly starting AEC. Frustrated by the
lack of performance - based incentives provided by our Japanese employer, we decided to
take our combined 12 years of industry experience to the Net. We have combined the skills
and services of a traditional executive search firm with the power and resources of the
Internet. We place qualified professionals into high paying jobs with Fortune 500 and
start-up companies here in Japan. The majority of our candidates register with us through
our recruiting site at www.headhunter.co.jp
From there, each resume is reviewed and assigned to a consultant in his/her specific
industry. Our consultants provide counseling on new opportunities, current market value,
as well as setting up interview arrangements and salary negotiations.
What types of companies make up your client base?
We deal with both well-established Fortune 500 companies, and smaller companies looking to
enter the Japanese market. The majority of our customers are IT or finance related, and
all of our clients are either foreign owned, or joint venture businesses.
What type of people are your clients looking for?
Our clients are always looking for bilingual professionals with specific skills relating
to IT or finance. Candidates will have a minimum of three to five years experience in
their field. Previous experience working in a gaishikei (foreign firm) is
preferred, and English-speaking Japanese nationals are especially encouraged to apply.
What type of people is AEC Japan looking for?
Since starting the business two years ago, AEC Japan has seen tremendous growth. Recently,
with the launch of our recruiting site, we have seen the need to expand our team even
further. We are seeking people with experience in online recruiting or traditional-style
headhunting that would like to work in an exciting start-up environment.
What criteria does AEC use when finding jobs for its candidates?
Each candidate who applies to AEC Japan has different objectives in mind. Some are more
interested in finding a position that has the greatest opportunity for future advancement,
while others are just looking to improve upon their current income. Generally, when
matching a candidate to a position we ask three questions: Can the candidate substantially
increase their income in this position? Does the position provide ample room for career
advancement? And finally, is the scope and content of the job description applicable to
the candidate's abilities and interests?
Who should I contact if I am interested in a job?
The easiest way is to submit a confidential resume online. We have over 500 positions
currently listed on our homepage, and we add new positions every month. Or if you prefer,
you can send an email in Japanese or English to taguchi@headhunter.co.jp
or phone our office at 03-5464-0856.
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