The first hire at a Japan office sets the direction for the organization that follows. If roles and terms are worked out only after a job posting goes live, selection can drag on and candidates may be left uneasy.
- It is unclear what role the first hire should take on
- Employment type and pay principles have not been shared between headquarters and the Japan office
- It has not been decided who makes the final hiring decision
- Adjusting terms after posting the job is taking a long time
This article explains three decisions foreign companies should make before their first hire in Japan.
Why the First Hire Is Where Uncertainty Arises
For a first hire, there is no internal precedent to draw on. Bringing headquarters' hiring standards over as-is tends to create gaps with the Japanese labor market and employment practices, and time is lost readjusting terms.
The first team member also shapes the organization's culture and way of working. Putting the criteria for decisions into words before rushing to hire ultimately improves both the speed and quality of hiring.
Three Decisions to Make in Advance
Before posting a job, headquarters and the Japan office should agree on at least the following three points.
| Decision | What to Clarify |
|---|---|
| Role and expected results | The scope of work the first hire will take on, and the results expected in the first six to twelve months |
| Employment type and pay framework | The form of the employment contract, salary range, bonus, and benefits, reflecting Japanese practices |
| Selection process and approver | The number of interviews and interviewers, who makes the final decision, and what requires headquarters approval |
Share What You Decide With Headquarters
It is important to share these decisions with people at headquarters as well. If terms and approval scope stay vague during selection, headquarters may ask to change conditions just before an offer, damaging the candidate's trust.
The thinking developed for the first hire can be reused in later hiring. Keeping it on record makes decisions faster when the team grows.
Summary
- The first hire at a Japan office shapes the direction of the organization that follows
- Put the role and expected results into words before posting the job
- Agree with headquarters on the employment and pay framework, and on the selection process and approver
- Keep a record of what was decided and reuse it in later hiring
Contact
JBN supports foreign companies with their first hire in Japan, from defining the role through to hiring execution.
To discuss preparing for your first hire, please contact us.