School: School of International Liberal Studies
Gender: Male
Country: Republic of Korea
Graduated in September 2014/ Started Work in April 2015
Jobs Offers: Chemical & Manufacturing Industries
Reasons for seeking employment in a Japanese corporation
Taking a long-term view on my career, I saw my degree from a Japanese university as only a half-ready specialty. I was not sure if my future career would unfold entirely in Japan, but reckoned it would be better to tramp one stepping-stone hard at a time, and accumulate enough working experience to refer to myself as ‘having expertise in Japanese way of ‘business’. Also, with growing inclination to globalize in Japanese companies, it seemed likely that I will be assigned to international business. I thought this would provide me with further opportunities which could expand my future career in diverse ways.
Starting period of job-hunting
First, I heard about job-hunting procedures in Japan from friends in early October, and consulted with a career advisor at the Career Center. Based on his guidance, I started to prepare basic itineraries as ‘self-analysis’, ‘field of interest’ and ‘my future goal’. On December 1st, I officially registered to recruiting sites and began my job-hunting.
Number of industries and companies approached
I will recommend participating in as many company presentations as possible. I was surprised to find that I did not have a thorough understanding about industries and companies in general. I believe it is not possible to desire one does not know. Companies and industries examined from closer look will reveal much information one did not expect, and, in my opinion, a decision made based on enough information is better than trusting one’s first impression. Personally, I had participated in more than 50 events and decided to submit my entry sheet in 20 companies
Ways/ Methods of Job-hunting
As mentioned above, I had participated many company presentation sessions. My strategy was to build a personal relationship with the HR officers during the session by asking good questions. I refer to good questions as asking what is not shown in the company home-page. It is my impression that HR officers do leave special note on students they find interesting. Later on, it would come as a great advantage as the interview proceeds.
However, interviewers will not be HR officers in later stages. Because prime objective of an interview is not to ‘present myself’ but to leave an attractive impression to them, I believe that ‘how they receive my message’ is more important than ‘what I intend to say’. I revised my preparations based on taking interviewer’s perspective and how they would perceive me as their subordinate.
Challenges faced during job-hunting
As I began my job-hunting, I encountered many challenges. Soon after, I came to understand that the nature of those challenges do not allow short-term remedies. What is required to perspective job-hunters is story-telling, overall impression conveyed in personal stories. This requires two elements – story itself and a language to deliver them. Some may find good stories in short reflective thoughts, but some may not. And effective delivery requires a fluency in Japanese, which may take a stretched period of practice. I suggest those who find themselves lack any of two components start working on them with enough time.
Message to students who are planning to seek employment in Japan
The word ‘job-hunting’ is a calling the recruiting process from the student side only. In fact, recruitment is a very important process for the company too, as companies’ future depends on it. Companies need students as much as students need companies. Looking at from this perspective, there is no need to be without confidence. Make a strategy by thinking about what you want in your life and plan your career first. Of course you will need a tactical adjustment for interviewing process to get the job, but it should be based on your choice. Think about yourself and present it with confidence. Interviewers will find you as attractive and pro-active. I believe getting a job without losing oneself is possible. I wish that the job-hunting process does not become a start of a company-oriented life. Good luck!
