Recently, I received an inquiry about a Japan CTO position from an overseas startup via LinkedIn.

I believe this is the result of continuously practicing what I learned from 「シリコンバレーによろしく」に学ぶ！グローバル展開を目指すスタートアップが実践するLinkedIn徹底活用術.

The Message I Received

Here’s the actual message I received, with the company name and specific figures redacted:

Hi! Reaching out about a Japan CTO role at [Company Name] - we’re building cutting-edge AI solutions for enterprises. Backed by [major US VCs] (~$150M), scaling globally, fast. Would love to set up a meeting - please can you share your email and availability?

In summary:

• They’re developing enterprise AI solutions
• They’ve completed a significant funding round from major US VCs
• They’re accelerating global expansion
• They want to set up a meeting for the Japan CTO position

Why Did I Receive This Inquiry?

Looking back, I believe the following efforts were effective:

1. Building a Strong Profile

As I mentioned in my previous article, I thoroughly filled out my profile in English.

• Clearly stated my current role and responsibilities
• Documented specific past project achievements

2. Reaching 500+ Connections

On LinkedIn, having 500+ connections serves as a trust indicator. I steadily expanded my network and achieved this milestone.

3. Regular Posting

I continued posting technical content in English and sharing updates about projects I’m working on. This led to a steady increase in profile views and engagement.

For Japanese Engineers Who Want to Work Globally

Through this experience, I’ve become even more convinced of something:

Japanese engineers who want to work globally should absolutely be on LinkedIn.

Here’s why:

LinkedIn is the Global Standard

In Japan, X (formerly Twitter), Qiita, and Zenn are the centers of the tech community, but globally, LinkedIn is the standard professional network. Inquiries from overseas companies almost always come through LinkedIn.

It’s Used for Background Checks

Overseas companies always check LinkedIn profiles during the hiring process. If your profile isn’t well-developed, that alone could put you at a disadvantage.

Passive Career Opportunities

As in my case, even without actively job hunting, you can receive attractive inquiries. This is a unique value that LinkedIn provides.

Global Career While Living in Japan

Now that remote work has become common, working for an overseas company while living in Japan is a realistic option. For positions like Japan CTO that focus on the Japanese market, you can often work while remaining in Japan.

Conclusion

After about 9 months of consistently using LinkedIn, I was fortunate to receive this kind of opportunity.

Regarding this particular inquiry, I declined because I’m fully committed to my CTO role at the company I co-founded. However, I believe that the fact that such options arise is itself a significant value of leveraging LinkedIn.

If you’re interested in a global career, I encourage you to start using LinkedIn today. Even if you don’t get reactions at first, staying consistent will surely open doors.

That’s all from the Gemba.