A rant a day keeps everyone away...

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The Process

...of getting a job in Japan...I think. I'm not too sure myself. I'm just going along with the flow...

1. You'll have to write up a 自己分析 (self-analysis) and "episodes" of your life which are meaningful so that you can...

2. ...write up a lot of bull in your resume in the 自己PR (self PR/appeal) section. Do include how your existence can help the company in a very humble way. How? I have nfi.

3. Now that you're done with your resume (which I'm not), time to apply for 説明会 (job orientations). There are 2 types that are the 合同説明会 (think Education Fairs but instead, they're telling you about their company rather than their schools. And you have to be really nice to them instead) or 会社説明会 (in-company job orientation). In most cases, they might ask for your resume during the orientation so it's best to take it along. And if they decide to throw you a suprise, they might just have a written examination which consists of either a) a personality exam (SPI試験), b) a short essay in which the few hundred words that you use to express your ideas are analyzed and determines what kind of a person you are, how you think, your ideals etc. And they say a picture tells a thousand words. If they decide to throw a BIGGER suprise, they might just have a group interview right at the spot. During the orientation, it is advised to stand out by asking questions and conducting good behavior. And don't forget to wear a suit on that day.

4. From here on out I'm not too sure since my first job orientation session will be next week but lets just say this is part of the process. Not that the first 3 steps were 100% accurate, so it doesn't really matter if this is. I'm sure a sensible person wouldn't want to go through all this after reading step no.3. So I'm guessing after the job orientation in which you have gave your contact info through your resume to the company, will contact you if you're short-listed. After they have contacted you, you will have to call the company to arrange for an interview. Sounds easy? Hell no. We have a telephone manual on this topic. What to say at what situation. Its just like how Streamyx's helpline tells you to reset your modem for 2 minutes and if all else fails, tell the customer that the fault lies with their device and wash your hands of it. When calling for an interview, do not 1) Call in the first 30 minutes of opening hours, during lunch hour or 30 minutes before closing hours. You don't want to impose trouble on the company during their busy and rest time. Before that, it is advisable to not use your cellphone to make the call. Why? The case where your line suddenly cuts or you run out of battery or other reasons that only happens when you make the most important call of your life might occur therefore use a landline for calls such as these. What, no landline? Then use a public phone. But not just ANY public phone, use one from a hotel where it is quiet and there is a table for you to write down a memo regarding the interview.

5. Now that you've gotten an interview, you're all set to go. Things to bring: a map (to find the place), any documents regarding the interview, shoe polish, mirror, comb, handkerchief and makeup. Doesn't it just shouts "Looks DOES matter?". Arrive at reception 5-10 minutes before appointed time. In the case where you need to use the toilet, use one at another building, not where you're having the interview. In the case where you HAVE to use the one in that building, do not use the one on the same floor as where the interview will be held. Chances of you bumping into your interviewer at the toilet there are higher and you might be makeup-less and you wouldn't want your future employer to see you in your worst. IMHO I think you'd have better chances of giving a better impression in the toilet rather than in the interview room since you're more relaxed at the loo. Who isn't. At the reception, be very nice to the receptionist. At that moment, you are lower than them. If you're gonna be bitchy, do it after you've gotten the job. Say thank you to whatever he/she does. Smile at all times. In the elevator, hold the door for anyone and everyone. Ask them which floor they would like to go to and press the button for them. They might be your interviewer and you want to set a fake but good impression. Think about it this way. After stepping foot inside, if you're at the pantry, play the tea-lady/guy role. In the elevator, play the role of the lift-boy/girl. Upon entering the waiting room, do not think just sitting at any available seat is all. Avoid sitting at the inner most seat. Why? I don't know. All I know is that the seat away not facing the door but closest to the door is your best option. I have NFI.

6. After your interview there is more hell which I'm not sure yet since I haven't reached this far. Maybe I'll continue this when I do find out. Or if I ever will.

For now, I have 2 job orientations in February. One with Capcom and another with Namco-Bandai. I'm praying I just get a job on the spot sans interviews. My ideal scenario:
"You speak English? You've got the job!"
...I wish.

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Thursday, January 21, 2010

I really dread this...

So I did it. I sent a sorta informal letter to this company that I reaaaally want to get in and in my Enid Blyton mind, I keep thinking I'm gonna get the job since I can speak both Japanese and English but when I shut Enid out, I just know I'm gonna be rejected. I've been putting off sending this email about the job enquiry because if I do get rejected it means I have to go through the tedious process that every other Japanese go through: job interviews. It's one hell of a process. I'll blog about the things you have to go through (and the inconvenience) one day. I'm so scared I'm gonna get rejected. Please don't reject me **********!

On a side note, I put my name down for Namco-Bandai and Capcom's job orientation. Yes, we have to go for the orientation BEFORE applying for the real thing to know what you're gonna get into. I DID say tedious before, didn't I.

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Monday, January 4, 2010

2009...short and sweet

As the title says.
So, 2009 was
up
up
down
down
down
down
down
dooooooown
up

and thats it.