Hiring to Raid Candidate’s Contact List? A Headhunter's Quest in Jakarta's Influencer Jungle
LINFIK LIANG
Founder & Managing Director @ EuroBridge HR Partners Kft | We bridge world, fostering global expansion while nurturing local engagement
As the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over Jakarta’s skyline, the towering skyscrapers glowed against the twilight like a giant mosaic. Below, the streets buzzed with life, and the heavy, humid air hung with the unmistakable scent of opportunity. Jason, leaning against his office window, absorbed the city’s pulse. It was a city that never truly rested, a place where dreams either soared or shattered.
Jason had recently struck gold with a Chinese client—a marketing consultancy and eCommerce startup looking to sink its roots into Indonesia. A young venture, ambitious but still green when it came to local recruitment. For Jason, it was the perfect storm. They needed him, and in the competitive influencer market of Indonesia, the timing couldn’t have been better.
"This is my moment," Jason thought, eyes scanning the glittering horizon. The client had dangled a solid bait—generous salary packages and a blank slate. They were after someone with the skills to forge relationships with top KOLs, maintain those ties, and drive productivity. A pretty picture, but Jason knew the devil was in the details.
With a grin and a roll of his sleeves, he dove headfirst into the search. A week passed in a blur of meetings, interviews, and networking. After meticulous work, Jason was ready. He’d found candidates with bulletproof résumés—people who had cut their teeth on KOL management, built businesses from scratch, and stayed in positions for more than two years. Some even spoke Mandarin, a golden ticket in this game.
Confidence coursed through Jason as he presented the candidates. But the reaction from his client was a cold slap in the face.
"These candidates," the client began, their voice crackling over a late-night video call. Their expression was unreadable, shadowed by the dim light, "they haven’t listed the KOLs they’ve worked with. We need names."
Jason’s eyebrows shot up. "Names?" he echoed, trying to suppress the confusion bubbling inside him. "They’ve got the connections and proven results. Isn't that what counts?"
The client’s voice hardened, "We need pre-existing relationships with specific KOLs. Otherwise, they don’t meet our criteria."
Jason felt a spark of frustration ignite deep inside. "Are we hiring for capability or just to raid their contact lists?" he wondered. Sensing a deeper disconnect, he spoke up, choosing his words with care.
"Let’s get on the same page," he suggested, his tone cool and measured. "Which specific KOLs are you after? If we narrow it down, we can ensure the candidates align with your expectations."
There was a pause on the other side, the tension almost palpable. Finally, the client conceded. "We need KOLs in retail and personal care. Mamypoko, Makuku, Baby Happy—candidates from those companies are our preference."
Understanding dawned on Jason, like the first rays of dawn cutting through a dense fog. After the call ended, he slumped back into his chair, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
In the following days, Jason’s search turned into a maze of dead ends. The online channels revealed slim pickings—those with the right experience were few and far between, and the majority weren’t even looking for new opportunities. Worse, the candidates he spoke with all echoed the same sentiment.
"Top KOLs in Indonesia work across industries," explained Maya, a seasoned pro he met at a tucked-away café that felt like a sanctuary from the city’s endless rush. "They don’t stick to one sector. The key isn’t where they’re from—it’s how well they can recruit the right influencers."
Jason nodded thoughtfully, taking a slow sip of his coffee. "So narrowing it down to specific companies limits us unnecessarily," he muttered, mostly to himself.
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Maya nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The skillset we bring isn’t about the industry. It’s about adaptability and the ability to build those networks from scratch."
Determined to set things right, Jason arranged another meeting with the client. The virtual conference room felt chilly, the distance between them exacerbating the mounting tension.
"I’ve done my homework," Jason began, a steely resolve in his voice. "The professionals you’re after are a rare breed, and most aren’t looking to move. The best candidates can bring top KOLs from any industry, not just retail or personal care."
The client sighed, their frustration crackling through the screen. "So, what’s your suggestion?"
"Let’s shift the focus," Jason urged. "Instead of prioritizing a list of existing KOLs, let's emphasize the candidates’ strategic abilities to recruit and cultivate those relationships. Do you have specific KOLs in mind? If so, they can target them directly."
There was a long, heavy silence. Then the client’s expression softened. "Maybe you’re right. We’ve been too rigid in our approach."
Jason wasted no time. "I’ll have the candidates research the KOLs Mampoko, Makuku, and Baby Happy are working with. They’ll include three names in their CVs and prepare tailored strategies for working with these KOLs. Does that sound better?"
The client’s nod was slow but sure. "Yes, that’s more aligned with what we need. Thanks for pushing this forward, Jason."
When the call ended, Jason stood once more by the window. The city lights twinkled in the distance, casting a soft glow over his office. He breathed in deeply, letting the weight of uncertainty slip off his shoulders. The challenge wasn’t over, but now, there was a path forward.
"This is just the beginning," he murmured, eyes twinkling with determination. In the weeks that followed, Jason worked hand-in-hand with his candidates, helping them weave strategies and stories that spoke to their resourcefulness and adaptability.
Then, one evening as the sky turned a deep crimson and gold, Jason received the message he’d been waiting for.
"We’re impressed. Let’s move forward," the client wrote.
A satisfied smile curled Jason’s lips. Jakarta hummed with life outside, the air still thick with possibility. He had weathered the storm, bridged the gap, and carved out a solution from the chaos.
"Onward and upward," Jason thought, ready to face whatever came next. For in this intricate dance of ambition and perseverance, Jason knew that success was no longer a distant dream—it was right there, waiting for him to seize.