Friday, February 29, 2008
Becoming reacquainted with American life...
Four and half years...and counting. I've lived in Japan for about four and a half years and I'm amazed at how foreign I feel having visited Boston since. Long story short, my wife and I feel that it's time to make moves to a new life and new careers. I have nothing against Japan, in fact, I really feel like my maturity and development as a person and professional have grown exponentially. Having said that however, my career potential has some serious limitations should I stay in Japan at my current job situation.
And so, New York is the place that we are looking to settle down in as well as getting the career goals that my wife and I are hoping to achieve. Having stayed in Boston and New York now for the past month, it's amazing to note how many things I miss about Japan and how many things I took for granted in the US.
One of the biggest surprises to me is the response that I've been receiving in the job market. In a span of about 3 weeks, I have received 2 job offers, which I have had to turn down. Had I tried job searching in Japan, the first thing that all interviewers are quick to point out is the fact that I've changed my job more than twice. It's quite a different experience because my confidence was shattered thanks to interviewers using my job changing as an indicator of my lack of character and loyalty. In the US? The interviewers I've spoken to have been scared that they couldn't offer me enough salary (which was true) and that I could become bored with their roles.
I know that if I keep searching, I'll come across the right job for me, one that won't be involved in HR anymore, hopefully. Seeing the field is starting to give me back the confidence that I need and I really can't say enough about the support I've received from everyone involved, especially the headhunters that I've spoken to.
I just hope that I can give everyone a result that they would be satisfied with.
And so, New York is the place that we are looking to settle down in as well as getting the career goals that my wife and I are hoping to achieve. Having stayed in Boston and New York now for the past month, it's amazing to note how many things I miss about Japan and how many things I took for granted in the US.
One of the biggest surprises to me is the response that I've been receiving in the job market. In a span of about 3 weeks, I have received 2 job offers, which I have had to turn down. Had I tried job searching in Japan, the first thing that all interviewers are quick to point out is the fact that I've changed my job more than twice. It's quite a different experience because my confidence was shattered thanks to interviewers using my job changing as an indicator of my lack of character and loyalty. In the US? The interviewers I've spoken to have been scared that they couldn't offer me enough salary (which was true) and that I could become bored with their roles.
I know that if I keep searching, I'll come across the right job for me, one that won't be involved in HR anymore, hopefully. Seeing the field is starting to give me back the confidence that I need and I really can't say enough about the support I've received from everyone involved, especially the headhunters that I've spoken to.
I just hope that I can give everyone a result that they would be satisfied with.
