The Current Challenges of Recruitment in Asia

The Many Faces of the Talent War

Asia is a market as rich as it is diverse. Cultures, languages, and work practices vary widely from one country to another  and even within the same nation, such as India or China.

Across the region, however, the war for talent is in full swing. Yet it takes different forms and follows distinct rules depending on the local context.

A magnet for global business

Asia is undergoing a profound economic transformation. Once dominated by large multinational corporations, the region is now home to:

• a steady rise in foreign investments
• a growing number of successful local companies
• and intensifying competition between players

Everyone wants a foothold here but talent remains scarce. This growing attractiveness creates a strategic challenge for recruitment teams.

A globalised talent market

Recruitment has become a truly global business. Many European and American companies now hire remote contractors or freelancers across borders. As a result, Asian professionals enjoy an unprecedented range of career opportunities, both locally and internationally.

A remarkable ability to adapt

In countries such as the Philippines, India, Malaysia or Vietnam, talent shows an exceptional ability to adapt quickly to emerging technologies. Aside from potential language barriers, companies can rely on a dynamic workforce ready to evolve with the market’s needs.

Diverse HR Cultures and Working Conditions

Northeast Asia: a demanding, closed market

In China, Japan, and South Korea, strong work cultures and language barriers make recruitment particularly challenging. Even within international firms, local bilingual talent remains the top hiring priority. For a foreign company like VISEO, the challenge lies in both building brand awareness and establishing a trustworthy employer brand within highly codified environments.

Southeast Asia: an employee-driven market

Despite its dynamism, Singapore is a small country with limited local talent skilled in the latest technologies. Many companies rely on professionals from Malaysia or the Philippines. However, as visa restrictions tighten, competition among employers is fiercer than ever — making it an employee-driven market.
A similar situation can be seen in India, where the challenge is not finding candidates, but convincing them to choose one company over another.

Building a Trusted Employer Brand

The power of social media

To strengthen visibility, VISEO promotes employee success stories across LinkedIn, Facebook, and its website.
In China, communication is conducted via WeChat, in line with local regulations.

Each market presents its own nuances. For example, in Australia, VISEO enjoys a strong reputation primarily associated with Salesforce expertise. Today, the goal is to expand this perception by highlighting the diversity of our technology portfolio, particularly in SAP. Through our communication efforts, we aim to help talent discover the full breadth of our capabilities.

Bridging academia and industry

Through seminars, guest lectures, and internships, VISEO has built partnerships with universities and business schools across the region from ESSEC (France) to HKUST (Hong Kong), and top institutions in the Philippines and Singapore.

Some interns even collaborate with VISEO teams in France, the U.S., or Spain. Exceptions include India, where our presence is more recent, and Australia, where we focus on senior or experienced profiles.

Fostering a caring and supportive work environment

VISEO is committed to providing a positive, inclusive, and safe workplace built on three pillars:

• Open communication : Everyone should feel heard and able to communicate freely with peers, managers, and leadership. While we encourage fluid exchanges across teams and geographies, we also respect local norms  such as the hierarchical culture in Japan.
• Work–life balance : Family holds a central place in Asian societies. Flexible working hours and remote options help employees dedicate time to their loved ones.
• Concrete employee support : in times of natural disasters, such as typhoons in the Philippines, VISEO activates emergency solidarity initiatives  providing funds, supplies, shelter, and direct support to affected employees and their families.