Unfulfilling executive career? Transform it before it traps you.

When a family crisis took me out of school at 14 to get a full-time job, it sparked a journey across many industries, roles, and nations.
 
Office work, construction, and self-employment in Australia. Study in the UK. Ministry in Africa. Sales and executive roles in the US. And yet others.

I led the transformation of Arby’s to become one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant chains. Rated in the Top 10 of over 3,000 franchise systems in the US, with a new location opening every 39 hours. 

When a takeover harmed the culture, I resigned to find a meaningful new path. But then my income was nearly tripled and I stayed on. 

Two years later, I resigned again, to buy or create a business aligned with my values.
I sought strategic, executive-level career support. And couldn’t find it. 

In that gap, I finally recognized my calling. So in 1992, I became a pioneer in this field. 

In 2014, a failed project left us with inadequate capital, and I turned the business over to a consortium of colleagues and clients. They closed it in 2016. In the meantime, I had created and launched a more resilient model. 

Today, our stressed societies desperately need more leaders motivated and able to reform management structures that undervalue higher needs and promote lower ones. 

If you’re ready to reimagine what your career can be, and to align it with your best contributions, there has never been a better time to do so. 

Let’s explore what’s possible. 

📅 Schedule a conversation: https://rjacareers.com/schedule-a-call-rj/

Russell Johnson

Principal Consultant | • Talent Partner for Engineering/Built Environment/Technical sectors | • HR Processes Consultant | • HR Services Outsourced Partner

With over 20 years of HR experience in Engineering, Healthcare, and F&B sectors, I am a Principal Consultant at Lightway HR Consultancy, a talent partner for Engineering/Built Environment/Technical sectors and a HR services outsourced partner. I have multiple certifications in employment intermediaries, social media marketing, and business analytics, demonstrating my commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

I enjoy matching aspiring job seekers to suitable employers, working with various clients such as MNCs, tech companies, and GLCs on their recruitment needs. I have successfully placed almost 50 positions from Nov 2021 till now, leveraging my strong experience and knowledge in SG work pass processes. I also provide HR consultancy and advisory services on HR projects, policies, engagement, relations, payroll, and wellness, delivering solutions that meet the clients' objectives and expectations. My goal is to be the bridge between employers and jobseekers, and to help organizations achieve their HR goals and outcomes.

Anne Ong, (IHRP-CP)

A glimpse into China’s everyday innovation

My recent independent trip through China, traveling from Tier 1 hubs (Guangzhou) to advancing Tier 3 cities (Jieyang and Chaozhou), was eye-opening. The speed of transformation is staggering.

Here are 5 on-the-ground observations that stand out:

1️⃣The EV Dominance is Real 🚗
Walking the streets in Tier 1-3 cities, EVs felt dominant. China’s EV sales surpassed 50% of new cars in 2025
 
𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: In Singapore, we see a BYD showroom in a mall. In China, you’ll pass 10+ showrooms in one mall, from XPeng, Zeekr to Lantu 岚图 (Voyah), etc. 

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦: I visited a Xiaomi store where gadgets were on one side, and their EV showroom was on the other, a highly integrated lifestyle ecosystem.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘢𝘤𝘦: With 200–500 EV brands currently competing, the consensus is that only 15–20 will survive the decade. In 2025, BYD overtook Tesla to become the world’s largest EV seller.

2️⃣Live-Streaming Goes "Physical" 📱
On the High-Speed Rail, I witnessed employees conducting live skincare demos and selling to passengers, a prominent example of how livestreaming in China has moved beyond screens into physical spaces.

3️⃣The "Blind Box" Economy 🧸 
Retailers like Pop Mart, KKV, and Miniso are everywhere and crowded. Despite the "Labubu fever" stabilising, the demand for collectibles remains high. With Pop Mart reportedly hitting 70% profit margins (by CNA), it’s clear that "emotional consumption" is a powerhouse in the Chinese retail landscape.

4️⃣Tea shops+coffee houses 🍵
 Not the traditional tea/coffee houses of old, but modern kiosks like Chagee, HeyTea, Luckin, etc, are the new standard. 

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘦’𝘴 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘦: Chagee is rapidly evolving into a global powerhouse, having recently surpassed 7,300 stores worldwide. Its expansion is backed by a focus on "healthy tea" (with Halal & Nutri-Grade certifications) that helps it scale beyond China.

𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦+𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘥: Meanwhile, Luckin Coffee is nearing the 30,000-store mark, showing how digitised, "pickup-only" models can dominate entire regions.

𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬: These shops are more than selling beverages; they blend lifestyle, modern design, and convenience into scalable, trend-driven formats that resonate from local and regional and beyond.

5️⃣The "Toilet Test" 🚽
The most underrated sign of progress? Public toilets. In 1999 (while in Chengdu), I remember needing an umbrella for "privacy" in public toilets. Today, even in Tier 3 tourist spots, facilities are clean and modern.


𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲: China’s retail, transport, and infrastructure show how innovation is not confined to tech giants, but woven into daily life. Growth in China is impressive, at a pace that is hard to imagine until you see it in person.

Out of the 5 observations, which Chinese market trend do you find most impressive?

#China #Innovation #EV #Retail #Travel #lightwayhr

The Cost of a "Down-washed" CV

C has 10+ years of high-level engineering sales experience. He is eloquent, a high achiever in sales, and has managed entire regions.

But regional travel took him away from his family. He decided to scale back to hands-on, junior sales roles to regain his work-life balance. To avoid being labelled "overqualified," he removed his Master’s Degree from his CV, listing only his Diploma, his next highest qualification.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
He aced the interview. The hiring team was impressed. Twice, they asked if he planned to pursue a degree in the next five years. Twice, he said "Yes."
 
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭
An offer was extended the next day. But then C called me.
He confessed that he already had a master’s degree. He had hidden it because previous applications were rejected for being "overqualified."
I updated the hiring company. They immediately withdrew the offer.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡
The company wasn't upset about his education level—they were upset about the integrity gap. When they asked about his plans to study, he had a chance to be honest. By saying "Yes" (implying he didn't have the degree yet), he turned a simple omission into a deception.

It was a hard lesson for both of us. Had I known, I could have advocated for his career pivot from day one. Instead, the opportunity was lost.


𝘓𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥:
💡Transparency is a Tool: If you are "overqualified," let your recruiter help you frame the why. A career pivot for family reasons is a valid, human story that employers often respect.
💡The "Omission" Trap: Omission is often viewed as a lie in the eyes of HR. It’s hard to build trust after the fact.
💡Consult Your Recruiter: We are your partners. If you’re hiding something because you’re afraid it will hurt your chances, tell us. We can help you position it correctly.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴?
➡️For Job Seekers: Do you empathize with C’s decision to "down-wash" his CV to get a foot in the door?
➡️For Employers: Would you have withdrawn the offer, or would you have valued his experience enough to overlook the omission?
➡️For Recruiters: How do we encourage candidates to be more upfront about their "hidden" credentials?

#Recruitment #CareerAdvice #interview #JobSearch #Integrity  #lightwayhr

06 Jan 2026

A holiday job: Is a “higher salary” worth the cost of lost time? ⏳

Meet “A” and “B.” Both teens finished their national exams in November, with a 4‑month gap before Polytechnic starts in April. Their goal: find a temporary job, earn pocket money, and gain life experience.

✅ “A” took action. She started retail work in December. The pay wasn’t the highest, but the terms were clear. She is already learning store and inventory management, handling customers, and building confidence.

⏳ “B” is caught in a limbo. She was offered an indoor playground job with above‑market pay. But the employer kept delaying her start date. It’s now January, and she is still waiting.

My advice to “B”? Stop waiting. Some might say, "It is just a holiday job, what is the rush?" But in a short-term gap, the real currency isn’t just the hourly rate; it’s momentum and exposure.

🔹 $12/hour at 0 hours = $0 
🔹 $9/hour at 100 hours = $900 + skills

By waiting, "B" isn't just losing money; she's losing the chance to build a work ethic before Poly life begins. Beyond pay, if an employer doesn’t respect your time during hiring, they rarely respect it during employment.

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧: Even for a short break, a "good" opportunity today beats a "perfect" one that may never arrive. Don't let your holiday disappear while waiting for a phone call.

What would you tell “B” in this situation? 


#CareerAdvice #FirstJobs #Mentorship #JobSearch #lightwayhr

13 Jan 2026

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Anne Ong, (IHRP-CP)

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