文系大学卒業（ぶんけいだいがくそつぎょう）　Hさんの就活体験談（しゅうかつたいけんだん）
Job Hunting Experience of H (Humanities University Graduate)

Interview Date: February 2, 2021 (Tuesday)

プロフィール　Profile

経歴　Background

After working at a signboard company in China, H came to Japan and studied at a Japanese language school. Then H entered the Faculty of Economics at a four-year private university in Chiba Prefecture and graduated. After graduation, H joined Kyodo Kogeisha Co., Ltd.

Q.どうして日本で就職することを決めたのですか？　Why did you decide to work in Japan?

Because life in Japan was comfortable, I decided to continue living in Japan after graduation. I have a child, and I felt that Japan has a better environment for raising children. For example, elementary schools in Japan often finish around 3:00 p.m., so children can join lessons or activities after school. In China, children often study from morning to evening, and they also have a lot of homework on holidays, so they do not have much time for extra lessons. So I thought Japan is better for this.

Q.なぜ今の勤務先を選んだのですか？　Why did you choose your current company?

My previous experience working at a signboard company before coming to Japan was very important. Although it was a long time ago and manufacturing methods in Japan and China are quite different, I strongly wanted to work in this field again. Also, when I worked in China, I often used Japanese machines. Japanese products had high quality, and that was one reason I wanted to come to Japan.

Q.具体的な仕事内容を教えてください。　What kind of work do you do?

I work in the Manufacturing Department, NC (Numerical Control) Section. I mainly use machines such as routers (engraving machines) and lasers to make signboards. In simple words, I collect and prepare data for engraving letters and then process the materials using machines.

Q.日本で大変だったことはありますか？　Was there anything difficult in Japan?

Sometimes I misunderstood Japanese. When I worked part-time after coming to Japan, I did not fully understand instructions in Japanese and made mistakes. After starting full-time work, I sometimes misunderstood technical terms and had difficulties. When I do not understand a technical word, I ask others and try to understand it clearly. I also try to check that there is no misunderstanding between me and others.

Q.中国と日本の就職活動の違いを教えて下さい。　What are the differences between job hunting in China and Japan?

I am from Inner Mongolia in China. Compared to Japan, I think fewer people follow a very organized job-hunting system like in Japan. China has a much larger population, so it may be difficult to have the same system as Japan. In Japan, students usually graduate at the end of March in their fourth year and start working in April. In China, some people follow a similar schedule, but many people start job hunting after graduation at their own pace. In many cases, job hunting finishes within one month, which is very different from Japan, where it can take around three months. In China, companies sometimes recommend students with good grades from universities, and this can lead directly to employment.

(Interviewer) You also mentioned that sometimes companies start recruiting when there is an open position, and people apply at that time. That may be more practical.

Q.就活の相談は誰にしていましたか？　Who did you ask for advice during job hunting?

I often used the university career center.

Q.これからの留学生へのメッセージやアドバイスをお願いします！Please give a message or advice to international students who will start job hunting.

Believe in yourself and think, "If I try, I can do it." Do not think that job hunting is too difficult. First, try to join company information sessions. Because of COVID-19, everyone has difficulties, but it is important to challenge yourself, even through online opportunities.

〈協力してくださった方々の会社〉　About the Company That Cooperated
Kyodo Kogeisha Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1969. The company contributes to society by creating "signboards," which are part of Japanese culture. They plan, design, produce, and install signboards that represent the face of shops and companies. They have hired many international students in Chiba Prefecture.
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