The past few years have been nothing short of chaotic in the hiring landscape—particularly in Japan’s life sciences and healthcare sectors. Since COVID, the market has been crowded, noisy, and often disjointed. While opportunities were plentiful, many employers struggled to connect meaningfully with candidates—to speak to their hearts, not just their résumés.

The result? Candidates bombarded with duplicate approaches for the same role. Employers frustrated with underwhelming shortlists. And a missed opportunity to tell the real story behind a role and what it actually offers.

But that tide is turning.

This year, we’ve seen a distinct shift in the market—and with it, real results. After placing four country-level leadership roles already this year, it’s clear that some key elements of our approach are truly working.

A New Pace, A Higher Standard

2025 has started at a fast pace. Companies are moving with urgency again—reminding us of the pre-pandemic energy where commercial momentum was high, and time-to-hire mattered.

But here’s what’s different now: it's not enough to simply make a hire.

Companies want—and need—the best person in the market. The bar has been raised.

We’ve seen this at every level of leadership. Hiring managers are asking better questions. They’re more thoughtful about cultural fit, long-term potential, and leadership chemistry. And candidates, too, are looking for meaning, alignment, and career-defining opportunities.

Why Contingency Isn’t Enough

One of the clearest shifts we’ve seen is a move away from contingency recruitment toward true partnerships. Many clients assume every recruiter does a thorough search in the background—but the reality is very different.

Contingency recruiters often juggle 5 to 15 open roles at once. They’re forced to triage their time. Challenging searches? Roles with multiple agents competing? These tend to slip down the priority list.

That’s not a criticism—it’s simply how the model works. But in a tight, high-stakes market, it’s no longer sufficient.

What’s Working Now: Depth Over Volume

What’s working for us—and for our clients—is simple: depth over volume.

We’re being selective. We take on only the projects we know we can deliver, where we can truly partner with the client. And we commit the time, care, and strategic insight necessary to not only find the right person—but to set them up for long-term success.

This isn’t about ticking a box with a probation-period hire. It’s about empowering leaders to thrive well beyond onboarding. That means:

• A deep understanding of the client’s goals, team, and value proposition
• Careful market mapping and tailored outreach
• Supporting candidates in presenting their best selves
• Ongoing dialogue with both parties before, during, and after the placement

Building Partnerships at Every Level

Our clients are our partners—but so are our candidates.

We see each placement as a shared journey. One where everyone involved deserves the best possible outcome. And in a market where competition is fierce and expectations are rising, that human-centered, partnership-led model is delivering results.

Because in 2025, employers can’t afford to get it wrong—and the best candidates won’t settle for anything less than the right opportunity.