Across borders and back again

Andrew thought Vietnam would be a brief stop, but joining Robert Walters changed the course of his journey. Over the years, he grew, moved on, and eventually returned, bringing his experience into a new chapter in Jakarta. Below, Andrew shares the story that has shaped his global career with the business.

When I first moved to Vietnam, I didn’t expect to stay long. That changed when I joined Robert Walters.

I had moved to Asia in 2012 with plans to travel and teach English. Vietnam was meant to be a quick stop along the way. But then I walked into a small office with one meeting room and about ten people, and something just felt right.

The team was warm, collaborative, and genuinely supportive. I remember being surprised that no one went for Friday beers after work like we did back in my recruitment days in England. The culture at that time was quieter and more understated, but the warmth was unmistakable.

One early memory that stuck with me was mentoring a new joiner who had been working in insurance sales. I asked him to find elevator salespeople, and he did. That small moment led to something much bigger. We built a strong team together, which eventually contributed to my promotion to Associate Director and that consultant’s promotion to Vietnam Country Manager. More than the title, it was the experience of building something from scratch that really stayed with me.

I ended up staying much longer than I had planned.

Not just because of the career opportunities, but because of the people, the leadership, and the space to grow.

The coaching I received and the conversations I had changed the way I think about work, leadership, and people.

Eventually, I left. After Covid and a tough stint in another market, I needed a break. I’d had a good year and decided to finally pick up that travel plan I had put on pause. But even while I was away, I stayed in touch with people from the business and remained open to what might come next.

One day, while scrolling through LinkedIn, I saw a post from the Country Head of Indonesia. He was looking for experienced consultants to join the Jakarta office. I reached out.

Now I’m back, this time in Jakarta. It’s a new country, but what brought me back hasn’t changed. The culture is still people-first. There is trust, autonomy, and the chance to make a real impact. Having worked in Vietnam, Thailand, and now Indonesia, I’ve been lucky to experience different cultures and markets. I carry those lessons with me into every new role.

If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that careers don’t always move in a straight line.

Sometimes you leave, sometimes you come back. And when you do, you might realise the place you’ve returned to is exactly where you’re meant to be.

For anyone considering joining or rejoining, my advice is this: if you’re curious, ambitious, and open to new experiences, this is the kind of place where careers can really take off.



Inspired by Andrew’s journey? At Robert Walters, you’ll find the support and opportunities to thrive in recruitment. We’re hiring — explore our internal career opportunities today. Your career starts here.