Akiko Watanabe

It’s a significant role where the contribution you make to businesses is reflected in the morning headlines.

  • Executive Search Division
  • Senior Principal Consultant

Since this role affects people’s lives, I wanted to work at a company where I can make decisions based on what I can truly see and understand.

In my previous role in the recruitment industry, I worked in sales at an agency specialising in engineering roles, where I managed around 70 temporary staff. However, the positions I could offer were limited, and I always wanted to support more people in securing permanent roles. I delayed changing jobs for some time, partly due to the economic downturn following the global financial crisis, but the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake made me rethink my priorities. That was when I decided to live life on my own terms and made the move.


When considering my next step, I focused on companies that offered permanent recruitment. Because this work can truly shape people’s lives, I wanted to be involved on both sides: supporting professionals and businesses directly. So I looked for a consultancy-based model. JAC Recruitment stood out not only for its approach, but also because it welcomed individuals like me, even those over the age of 35. That’s why I chose to join.


Always communicating honestly

One principle I never compromise on is integrity. Whether the news is positive or negative, I never distort information when speaking with professionals or client representatives. Both place immense trust in us, professionals with their careers and businesses with their future success, so my role is not to impose my own opinions or act on personal motives.


As an employee, I’m mindful of sales targets, but I see numbers as an outcome, not the purpose. Chasing figures narrows your perspective and clouds objective judgement. To successfully bridge the gap between a professional’s ideal career move and a company’s hiring needs, I believe it’s essential to maintain a calm, balanced mindset.


The moments I feel connected to the bigger picture

Most of my clients are major listed organisations, large-scale businesses with significant responsibilities, which makes the work all the more rewarding. One of my favourite moments each day is opening the morning newspaper. I often see the names of my client companies or their competitors featured, and sometimes even executives I know personally appear in the personnel announcements. There are times when I read about a business thriving and think,

“That role I worked on back then was part of this success.”

It’s in those moments that I truly feel connected to the wider world and proud to be contributing to its progress.


For me, supporting a career move isn’t just about securing an offer. It’s about helping someone succeed in their new role. Recently, a professional I successfully introduced years ago reached out to ask me to help find potential team members for their department. That kind of request is only possible when everyone involved is satisfied, and it reminds me why I love what I do.

A Message to Future Colleagues

Once you join, success or failure comes down to a single factor

From my own experience, the key difference between those who succeed and those who struggle after joining is whether they can let go of their past achievements and recognition. Rather than comparing this role to your previous one, it’s best to come in ready to reset and start fresh. If you join with the mindset to learn from zero and a clear ambition for what you want to achieve, success will follow.

JAC Group
Recruitment Information