From legal counsel to recruitment specialist

Lindy Ho

Lindy Ho previously worked as a legal practitioner in both Hong Kong and Malaysia before making the move into recruitment, joining Robert Walters Malaysia as a consultant in 2012. Now a manager of our legal and corporate secretarial division, Lindy discusses her career switch, working in recruitment and the opportunities available in Malaysia.

Why did you make the switch to recruitment?

In 2012, I was looking for new job opportunities within the legal industry and contacted Robert Walters to see if they could help. The management team saw that I had experience in both private practice and in-house roles in Hong Kong and Malaysia and got in touch for a chat.

During the chat, I was asked if I would consider joining Robert Walters to pioneer the legal desk. The idea of starting up a specialised legal recruitment desk piqued my interest as I was seeking more autonomy in my career as well as looking for a change, although I had some doubts due to my lack of recruitment experience. However, during a tour of the Kuala Lumpur office, I caught a glimpse of the vibrant and dynamic culture at Robert Walters and I instantly knew then it would be the right place for me.   

How were your skills from your previous role transferable?

A number of times my clients have commented that I really understand the sort of candidates that they’re looking for and I would credit that to my industry knowledge and background. Being a former legal practitioner, I am able to speak the same language as my clients and candidates and this allows me to relate to them better. My experience of working abroad has also been really beneficial as it allowed me to cultivate a wider awareness of different working cultures. As a result, this makes it easier for me to identify good matches between an employer and candidate, shortening the recruitment process for our clients.

How has your career progressed at Robert Walters Malaysia?

Since joining in 2012, I have been promoted three times to become the manager of the legal and corporate secretarial division. Along with the promotion to manager, I was given the opportunity to grow the legal and corporate secretarial desk further and I now have two direct reports under me.

I have also achieved significant personal growth over the years. When I first joined Robert Walters, I was fairly reserved and timid, but my management team have been really supportive throughout, helping me to build my confidence and develop professionally. This has been achieved through a combination of formal training and regular feedback sessions, which have helped me to maintain a clear view of my goals as well as benchmark my success.

I am proud to say that I have managed to clinch top biller twice during my tenure at Robert Walters. I also qualified for the company’s global incentive weekend trip in both 2017 and 2018. Each year, top performers are rewarded with a trip to a luxurious location – it’s a hard goal to achieve so I’m delighted to have qualified twice in a row.

What do you like best about your role?

I love the recruitment business and portfolio, and I really enjoy the autonomy and diversity that I derive from my work. It’s really exciting to work with different candidates and clients as it means each day is filled with new challenges and opportunities – I love being able to interact with people from all walks of life and help them fulfill their potential.

What’s it like recruiting in the Malaysian market?

I think the ever-evolving nature of the legal and corporate secretarial landscape makes it an exciting space to work in. In the past, we saw employers relying heavily on external legal counsels but, following the enactment of the Companies Act in 2017, employers are now looking to recruit in-house legal counsels and corporate secretaries to ensure corporate governance. To be able to assist companies identify the right fit during this transition period is very fulfilling as I can see the impact my work has on both individuals and businesses.

Why would you recommend working for Robert Walters Malaysia?

Robert Walters has a strong reputation globally and this encourages both candidates and clients, especially passive jobseekers, to engage with us.

Moreover, the work culture is great and it is very focused on teamwork. We function as a close-knit family with a strong sense of camaraderie across teams. It is an environment where we are constantly challenged to learn and grow, which means there are no limits to where your career can take you.

 

Want to know more about our current opportunities? View and apply for our latest jobs.

Alternatively, please send your up-to-date CV to seainternalrecruitment@robertwalters.com.