Can you tell us how did you start?
Upon returning to the USA after vacationing in Vietnam I began to explore possible business opportunities.  It was clear from conversations with Vietnamese and foreign business executives in Vietnam that there was a demand for Human Resource services, specifically Recruiting.  Recruiting is what I know, so it was a natural fit. And the Internet was a logical place to start since I could do a lot of the ground work from the New York and since there were no quality recruiting websites yet.

How do you explain your success?
A lot of hard work, an unwavering focus on quality, and building a team of talented people and intelligent and insightful advisors.
 
What is the main difficulty you have encountered doing your job here?
The biggest challenges have been operating on a very limited budget, making sure every dollar is wisely spent, being an outsider but needing to develop an intimate understanding of consumers wants/desires, and recruiting great people.

What developments are you seeking for your business?
The last six months have been very exciting because we have become profitable and have also expanded into offline businesses such as traditional executive search.  We will continue to develop our existing businesses including expanding our operations in Hanoi and regionally in Cambodia and Thailand.  We will also expand our portfolio of services for job seekers, as well as services for corporate clients in areas such as training, consulting, etc. 

What can foreigners expect in Vietnam in terms of jobs?
What are the most seeked jobs by Expats?
The most "seeked" jobs by Expats are general management jobs like Chief Representative, Country Manager, etc.

What is the most provided/available jobs for Expats?
English Teacher

According to you, how do you think the employment market will evolve in the next 3 or 5 years?
I think the demand for talented Vietnamese managers will continue to increase and top Vietnamese talent will continue to command higher and higher salaries.  Meanwhile there will be fewer jobs for foreigners and fewer companies interested in hiring foreigners.

What is the main reason why people fail in working in Vietnam?
The main reason for failure I see is when foreign managers come in and expect everything to be as logical and straightforward and efficient as it was back home.  To manage people or a business effectively here it is important to understand and appreciate how things work, how relationship-driven business is, and how important it is to work with people that understand how to navigate the system.

What would be your advice for someone looking for a job in Vietnam?
Be persistent, be realistic about compensation (don't expect a first world salary), and don't underestimate the importance of actually being here.  It is very difficult as a foreigner to secure a job without being here, meeting people and networking in person.

What would be your advice for someone having an job interview in Vietnam?
Same as my advice for someone having a job interview anywhere.  Do your homework on the company before your meeting.  Be able to effectively communicate what value you bring to the table.  Express not just your responsibilities in past rolls, but also your impact and accomplishments.  And, if given the opportunity, make sure you ask intelligent questions about the company and job you are interviewing for.