Go your
own way
It
has gotten way worse than I'd imagined. It was getting worse by the
year, but I never thought it'd be THIS BAD. What? Japan's economy?
Close.
Our
graduate recruitment 'system', to be precise.
If you're thinking, "Gee, she must be unemployed to be going
on about such stuff!" Congratulations honey, you're right.
I blame it (the fact that I'm forced to bum) entirely on the silliest
'system' I've ever come across in my life.
By the end of your 3rd year at university (most university courses
in
Japan are 4-year courses), you should have already secured your
future job. If you haven't, you would most likely repeat one more
year, or prepare yourself to become an outcast.
The keyword here is 'systematic'. Everyone who wants work right
after they graduate, will start looking for a job around the same
time, though it may vary according to the industry they're after.
And that would be halfway through their 3rd year.
Sweetie, that's not the end of it all.
Imagine. You're 21, you've got to-die-for, trendy ash-grey hair
(paid 20,000 yen for it too!), you go to the gym every other day
and you'd rather freeze to death than not show off your legs in
a mini-skirt, and you definitely never want to take off that ring
your boyfriend bought for you.
Tough.
You're not just any 21-year-old; You're a 3rd-year university student.
Here's what my "Japan's Graduate Recruitment System 101"
reader says:
"Your looks do count! Run to your hairdresser and re-claim
your natural hair colour. Check and double-check! You must make
sure your knees are completely covered if you are wearing a skirt.
At least you're showing a bit of flesh as opposed to going for the
pants suit look. And never forget to kiss your beloved jewelry goodbye
before you leave for your interview.
And
remember, you cannot look any different from other fellow
interviewees. Good luck!"
Japan has long been criticised for discouraging originality. When
the
graduate recruitment season comes, department stores nationwide
would have a designated section for 'recruitment'. Not so long ago,
I was a customer at one of them, searching the racks frantically
for a charcoal grey, pin-striped suit that I had always wanted to
buy. "It is one of the big no-nos. I suggest you go for a plain
navy suit." The sales assistant's gaze was decidedly cool.
I would like to believe that there is a company out there that will
see
beyond my dyed brown hair and charcoal grey, pin-striped suit.
|
