Emi Iida

Building Lasting Connections and Supporting Growth Throughout People’s Careers

In my previous role in the education industry, I found great fulfillment in supporting people’s growth over time. At the same time, I started to feel there were limits to the impact I could make within the scope of extracurricular education.

What attracted me to the consultant role at BRS was the opportunity to build deeper relationships with both candidates and clients, from a broader perspective. I was particularly drawn to building long-term connections, rather than one-off interactions.

I also came to realize that the sense of purpose I found in supporting children’s development could be applied in a different way—by helping professionals shape their careers and supporting companies with their hiring needs. That realization ultimately led me to make the transition.

 

The biggest deciding factor was the culture and atmosphere I experienced during the interview process. I was especially impressed by the diversity of the team—there are many international members, and each consultant brings a unique background.

Through my conversations with the interviewers, I realized there isn’t just one “type” of person who succeeds at BRS. People with different strengths are able to thrive here.

Even though I had no prior experience in recruitment, I felt confident that I would be given the opportunity to challenge myself and grow, which ultimately led me to decide to join.

 

 

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a full-cycle (360) recruiter is the ability to build long-term relationships with both clients and candidates, while supporting them through important decisions.

For example, some candidates I helped place in the past have gone on to become managers and later reached out to me to support hiring for their own teams.

There are also people who may not change jobs immediately but continue to consult with me about their careers over many years. Being remembered and trusted at those key moments—whether a career move or a hiring need—is incredibly motivating.

Another aspect I find appealing is the breadth of exposure, especially within the corporate services domain. I work with a wide range of companies, from large established organizations to supporting the first hire for newly set-up Japan offices.

Engaging with professionals across different industries allows me to stay close to market trends and continuously broaden my perspective. That’s one of the most exciting parts of this role.

 

As a manager, my role goes beyond achieving targets; I’m also responsible for developing team members and supporting the wider organization.

Working with a highly diverse and international team at BRS has been a huge growth opportunity for me. When I first became a manager, I hadn’t studied or worked abroad, and I realized that my usual approach—especially when giving feedback—didn’t always resonate with team members from different backgrounds.

However, those experiences helped me develop a deeper understanding of cultural differences and rethink how I communicate. With support from my manager and peers, I’ve learned to adapt my style based on each individual’s background and how they interpret feedback.

Today, I focus on encouraging action while drawing out each person’s motivation in a way that works best for them.

 

One thing I value is actively listening to team members’ ideas and helping turn them into reality wherever possible. Creating an environment where everyone’s input is respected contributes to the growth of both the team and the organization.

I also place a strong emphasis on taking a long-term perspective. Rather than focusing only on short-term results, building strong and lasting relationships with clients and candidates ultimately leads to greater success.

Since there is so much to learn through real interactions in the field, I try to create opportunities for team members to gain hands-on experience and learn through those conversations.

 

Moving forward, I want to continue supporting each individual as they take the next step in their growth.

I personally started this career at the age of 35 with no prior experience in recruitment. BRS has a well-established training system, so even those without experience can take on this challenge with confidence.

For experienced professionals as well, BRS offers an environment where you can continue to grow, thanks to the wide range of clients we work with and the variety of internal career opportunities available.

If any part of this resonates with you, I would be very happy if you consider applying.

 

Note: The job duties and responsibilities are from the time of the interview.