Masato Arisawa, Managing Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Kagome Co., Ltd.

■ Profile

After working at Kyowa Bank (now Resona Bank), HOYA, and AIU Insurance, he joined Kagome Co., Ltd. as a special advisor in January 2012, and became responsible for the globalization of Kagome's human resources. He has held his current position since October 2012. He has implemented reforms that emphasize employees' "way of life" rather than "way of working," and has implemented unique initiatives not seen at other companies, such as publishing the president's annual salary in the company newsletter and how company executives spend their holidays, creating a farm at the Tokyo headquarters, and sending Kagome products to the homes of students who attend company information sessions.

■Please tell me how to write an application form and how to effectively promote myself.

One of the points I look for is whether or not you have experience working in a team. I think everyone has had some difficult experiences in their lives, whether it be at university, part-time work, etc. It's important to talk about what solutions you came up with and what actions you took at the time, with a beginning, middle, and end. You'll get full marks if you can also talk about how you thought about the difficulties and challenges, how you turned them around, and how you used that knowledge to help your team.
We don't need boastful stories like "I was a part-time leader" or "I was the club leader." What's more important is what hardships you faced and what you gained from them, how you contributed to the team with your individual abilities, and your individual market value.
It's even better if you can provide specific numbers, such as how much sales increased or how many club members you added. It's best to have a recent experience, but if you don't have any university experience, it's fine to talk about your experiences in high school. Human resources also look at application forms to find the good in students.

■What kind of people do companies want?

We are looking for people with different values, different ways of thinking, and different backgrounds. We would like to see people with a variety of experiences. Personally, I would like to see people with experience working part-time at a restaurant, as there is a high possibility that they have dealt with customer complaints.
Hardship equals experience, so I encourage people to try anything, even if it's just for fun. It will broaden the boundaries of your life, and you should think of it as an extension of your everyday life, not something special.
We expect employees to have basic manners, courtesy, making eye contact when speaking, smiling, etc. Also, because work is done not alone but in cooperation with a team, leadership and cooperativeness are also important.

■How do you choose a good company? How do you find a company that suits you?

I think it's best to discard preconceived notions about work. Students are important people who may become future partners, but at the same time, I treat them as customers. I think a company that treats students equally and with care is a good company. Also, you might want to be careful of companies where the people in higher positions seem to get increasingly tired during the interview. Make sure to look carefully to see if they are working energetically and enthusiastically.
That's why it's important to do a lot of research. Don't narrow it down from the start, but look at a variety of options and don't jump to conclusions. I also recommend asking others how they view the company or industry you think is good, as this can lead to new discoveries.
Hearing what clients and other industries think of the company you want to work for can give you a different perspective and broaden your horizons. Also, in many cases, only students can hear their honest opinions. It's a good idea to take action now and hear opinions from various angles. This information will also be useful once you're employed. The key is to find a company that is on the same wavelength as you.

■What is the difference between people who get many job offers and those who don't?

There are two key points. The first is whether you can organize your thoughts and speak clearly. Weaknesses are not bad things, but things that should be overcome and interpreted positively. The second is whether you can communicate properly with others. It's about whether you can communicate face-to-face. I'm sure you've become accustomed to using social media, but can you logically explain what you wrote in your application form face-to-face? People who have struggled or experienced setbacks will grasp something in the process of getting back on their feet. As a result, I think many of them are good at communication. I think experience makes the difference. That's why I want you to have a wide variety of experiences.

■Please give us a message for the students.

There is no student who does not have potential. There is no student who does not have leadership skills. You are better than you think you are now, so believe in that and go about your job search. You may lose confidence at times, but never give up and believe in yourself, "I can do it!" However, make sure that this does not lead to complacency. Everyone has their good points, and there is sure to be a company that is on the same wavelength as you, so don't worry.
Finally, no one wants to hire a student who looks pale. Health and schedule management are also important points. Whether you're job hunting or working, you need to be physically and mentally healthy.

Student Newspaper October 2019 Issue: Ren Yamazaki, 3rd year student at Senshu University / Hideki Anzai, 3rd year student at Komazawa University