The global executive and organizational development vice president for IBM in Asia and the Pacific recently told Japanese and other BYU-Hawaii students interested in Far East careers that they should start job planning years before they graduate and take advantage of a new mentoring program.
"One of the key messages I want to give you is your education in an American university is very important in Japan," said Bradley W. Hall, the IBM executive who visited BYU-Hawaii on Jan. 26 at the invitation of the Career Services program and also as part of his calling as a high councilor in the Tokyo South Stake, where many influential business executives live.
Hall, who served a two-year mission in Hokkaido, Japan in the late 1970s for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and went on to earn a Ph.D. in organizational/industrial psychology from Tulane University, noted the Area Presidency in Japan asked him last Fall to chair an LDS business council that uses the strength of the executive network "to help the members in Japan. One way we're doing that is working to improve the employment of the people in Japan. Another way is to help students get jobs."
"First, we're going to get you mentored," Hall told the Japanese students. "A mentor is a person who will help explore what you need to do for your career, tell you what kinds of experiences you need to develop right now, and help you find a job. Of course, it's what you know, but it's also who you know. We can get you a job in Tokyo."
Hall said the challenge for new graduates can seem insurmountable. For instance, he pointed out IBM, which has 20,000 employees in Japan and 60,000 in the rest of Asia and the Pacific, "last year got 10,000 applications each month from college students, and they hired fewer than 500."
"You have a special advantage already. You speak English, and I hope you've learned some of the ways of thinking like an American," he said.
Hall added "many western companies value your English, and your western thinking. Women also have a better chance for advancement in western companies. Take advantage of this great opportunity to make gaijin [non-Japanese] friends and speak English. Use this opportunity to increase and expand your thinking."
"You need to be different. You need to be better," Hall said, sharing the example of his younger brother, who wanted to earn an MBA from Harvard: In putting together a resume, his brother listed items that showed his leadership potential, such as soccer team captain and married student association chairman.
"Do something more than just get good grades," he said "That's important, but do something more."
Hall suggested students should take career tests to help identify areas where they might excel. "Use them to help you figure out where your talents best fit."
"Be bold and strong in going after jobs," he said. "As a boss, we really want people who are excited and really want the job. It's okay to follow-up with interviewees and express interest."
Hall shared the story of a BYU graduate who recently got a job with a large Japanese bank because of his perseverance. "I had to hire him, the boss told me, because he kept coming after me."
"It's very important to decide whether you're going back to Japan or not," Hall stressed. "Once you start interviewing, it's also important you don't change your mind. Dropping out discourages executives from working with subsequent BYU-Hawaii graduates. Don't say you'll start the interview process if you're not serious."
He explained, "As you're looking at future careers, think of the jobs that are moving to China or India. For example, sales are not going to India, but accounting and computer programming are probably going there. Call centers are going to the Philippines. Even Singapore is worried, because their jobs are going to the Philippines or China."
Once a student or graduate is invited to interview, Hall suggested, "Know what you want to say. Don't take over, but have a point of view. If you get a chance to explain what you can do for the company, be prepared. Recruiters often appreciate if the interviewee leads them. Ask good questions: It shows you're really smart. Interviewers usually ask if you have any questions, and they're usually unimpressed if you say no. Don't ever ask about salary."
"You can't get a job in Asia from Hawaii. You have to be there. You have to shake hands," Hall stressed.
Focusing on the non-Japanese students interested in international careers, Hall didn't encourage foreign returned missionaries who want to work in their mission countries: "Get your career together first, then go international," he advised. "Otherwise, you may end up taking a small-time job with low career potential."
Hall reminded the students that psychologists have found there are three things that most Americans build social prestige upon: "How much money you make, the type of job you have, and your education — and two of those can be taken away in the blink of an eye," he said. "Get as much education as you can."