Long-serving colleagues help shape the culture, direction and success of a company over time. At Links International, Stanley Chan’s 11-year journey is one of growth, trust and opportunity, a story that reflects not only career progression, but also the meaningful impact a workplace can have on both professional and personal milestones.
Over the past decade, Stanley has grown from a Junior Recruiter into a Senior Consulting Manager managing teams, performance and revenue in the Human Resources & Administration Recruitment team. His story is a reminder that when potential is recognised early and supported consistently, it can lead to lasting success.
A first opportunity that made all the difference
For Stanley, joining Links was more than just starting a new job. It was the beginning of a new career in recruitment, a career shift he decide to make in his early 30’s. When he first entered the industry in 2016, recruitment was a highly competitive field. Despite his drive and readiness to learn, not every company was willing to take a chance on an older candidate without direct experience.
“Links was willing to give me an opportunity, and I’ve always really appreciated that,” he shared. That opportunity left a lasting impression. Stanley saw Links as a company willing to look beyond traditional expectations and focus instead on potential, attitude and ambition.
For him, that made Links stand out early on as a place that values equal opportunity and gives people the space to prove themselves.
Growing without having to look elsewhere
One of the achievements Stanley is most proud of is the way his career has developed over the years, and that he was able to grow internally without feeling the need to move between companies to reach the next level.
He built his career step by step, progressing from a junior role to increasingly senior positions, while being trusted with more responsibility along the way. That internal recognition gave him the confidence to keep building his future with the company. Rather than needing to search for opportunities elsewhere, Stanley found them here.
A career journey built over time
Stanley’s role has evolved significantly since he joined Links. Starting out in a junior recruitment position focused on HR and administration, he steadily moved through the ranks:
Associate Consultant -> Senior Consultant in his second year -> Manager two years later -> Senior Consulting Manager since 2023
Today, he leads the entire HR and Administration Recruitment Team, overseeing team performance and efficiency. His journey reflects more than just title progression. It represents years of learning, adaptability and leadership development. From someone entering the industry with virtually no recruitment experience, Stanley has grown into a manager responsible for developing others and driving business results.
During the pandemic period, he also took on an additional challenge by managing the Government Contracting Team for around six months, a special project that highlighted his versatility and ability to lead through changing business needs.
Alongside his core focus on Hong Kong recruitment, Stanley has also contributed to special projects across Asia Pacific, further broadening his experience and impact.
Staying motivated by growth and momentum
“When I first joined Links, there were around 25 to 30 people,” he recalled. Over the years, he has seen the business grow significantly from a much smaller organisation into a large regional company with a far broader regional and global footprint. That continued growth has been one of the biggest reasons he remains motivated.
For Stanley, being part of a company that is constantly improving, evolving and expanding has made the journey exciting. Watching Links grow over the years has also given him a strong sense of pride in being part of that story. His experience reflects the value of growing with an organisation over time: not just witnessing change but actively helping to shape it.
A culture that blends the best of both worlds
When asked what makes Links a unique place to work, Stanley pointed to something deeply personal: the company’s cultural mix. As a Hong Kong-headquartered company with both Asian and Western influences, Links brings together strengths from both sides. For Stanley, this balance feels especially meaningful.
“Links has a very strong blend of Western and Asian values, and for me that really resonated,” he said. Having been born and raised in Canada for over 20 years while also speaking Chinese and identifying closely with both cultures, Stanley felt naturally aligned with this environment.
That blend of international perspective and local understanding is something many colleagues may recognise as part of the Links experience. It creates a workplace that is both dynamic and inclusive, one where different background, perspectives and working styles can come together productively.
A journey that goes beyond career milestones
Stanley’s years at Links have not only been professionally rewarding, but personally significant as well.
Within this same 10 to 12-year period, he has reached several major life milestones: getting married, buying his first home, and becoming a parent. These moments make his journey at Links about more than career success alone. They reflect a chapter of life shaped by both professional development and personal fulfilment.
Looking ahead, Stanley hopes to continue building on that journey, growing in his career while also embracing the next stages of family life. His story is a strong example of how a meaningful career can grow alongside a meaningful life.
As we celebrate long-standing colleagues across the business, Stanley’s experience reminds us that careers are built not only through ambition, but also through trust, opportunity and support. If you are looking to grow your career with a team that values potential and development, we are hiring – reach out and follow our LinkedIn page to us to explore opportunities at Links International!