What does talent acquisition look like when you're recruiting across six countries with vastly different cultures, languages, and candidate behaviors? Tosh Onishi pulls back the curtain on the fascinating challenges of global recruitment in this enlightening conversation.

After a decade at Visa and now heading talent acquisition for APJ at Okta, Tosh brings unparalleled insights into how successful organizations navigate international hiring. His journey from Australia to Singapore to Japan has given him a unique perspective on what works—and what doesn't—when building teams across borders.

The conversation reveals startling contrasts between recruitment markets. In Japan, where less than 2% of the population speaks fluent English, the competition for bilingual talent is fierce. Tosh shares a brilliant strategy of critically examining each role's true language needs rather than applying blanket requirements. One particularly innovative approach? Deliberately hiring non-Japanese speakers for certain roles to force sales teams to improve their English skills.

Meanwhile, India presents completely different challenges. There, candidates routinely accept job offers only to disappear or renege weeks later—a behavior almost unheard of in other markets. Tosh explains how the sheer size of the Indian market and longer notice periods create this dynamic, offering practical advice for recruiters facing these situations.

Perhaps most valuable is Tosh's balanced perspective on cultural sensitivity. While acknowledging regional differences, he cautions against becoming so focused on cultural nuances that you lose effectiveness. His refreshingly human approach reminds us that people fundamentally want the same things—respect, recognition, and support—regardless of where they're from. The difference lies not in what you communicate, but how you communicate it.

Whether you're managing global teams or simply curious about international business dynamics, this episode offers rare, practical wisdom from someone who's mastered the art of cross-cultural talent acquisition. Subscribe now and join the conversation about building world-class teams across borders.

Get in touch with Civitas Talent!

Enjoying this episode of The HR Community Podcast? Stay tuned for quick insights and updates during this episode, including upcoming HR events, workshops, and resources for 2025, proudly brought to you by Civitas Talent. Your journey to building better teams and thriving in HR starts here. Visit www.civitastalent.com or connect with us on LinkedIn for more. Let’s get back to the conversation!