Prologue: CareerCross sat down with Joseph Tame, founder and creative director of Tokyo-based creative agency Wild Tame. We talked about the company’s roots, which stemmed from Tame live streaming himself running the Tokyo Marathon, his past struggles with recruitment, and how CareerCross helped him grow his team of bilingual creatives.

Can you give me a summary of the company?

J: It all started by live streaming myself running the Tokyo Marathon in 2009 by strapping an iPhone to my head. That turned into an annual challenge, getting bigger and bigger every year, with more iPhones and more supporters (one year we had 42,000 live viewers!), and as a result, people asked me about doing live streaming or video production as a service. I saw an opportunity, and with my wife Satoko decided to give it a go, and set up the business in August of 2011 in our spare room.

We started by making stop-motion videos for our first client, then upon request added photography and translation. Essentially our business grew just by word of mouth and by us never saying no.

Gradually, the range of our services expanded to include full video production, animation, graphic design, cross-cultural content consultation, plus social media strategy, production and analytics. We often receive calls from clients who just don’t know where else to turn, especially when the request is a little unusual. We have a mindset of wanting to help, and love creative problem solving.

We have a true understanding of global branding in terms of design and language, and use this to aid domestic companies in reaching global audiences, or global companies seeking to make inroads in Japan.

This all started with running the Tokyo Marathon and other performance art; while it had not been planned, it gradually grew into the business we have today.

What’s your current team like?

J: We currently have a team of 28 members representing 12 nationalities. We’re diverse in terms of not just nationality but also age, background, and ideas. Running a creative agency right now is an exciting place to be. It’s constant problem solving, but very rewarding.

What was the hiring process before CareerCross?

J: Initially it was really hard to find the right people, we didn’t know where to go to be honest. Our very first hire was made through a friend who does a little bit of recruitment on the side and he happened to know someone. We got lucky there.

We did try some of the bigger recruitment sites, but I tended to find that it felt like the applicants didn’t really want to work with us. They were just applying because they wanted to apply to as many jobs as possible. We’d ask for minimum requirements such as 2 years of experience in an agency, but they had none. We would end up doing interviews scratching our heads and wondering why they would even apply.

It was especially difficult when we needed more bilingual project managers, which is a skilled position. We’re competing with many other agencies, including the big agencies with much more resources. I also tried posting on my social media but what tended to happen was I’d get friends applying, but they weren’t qualified, which was a bit awkward.

How did you hear about CareerCross?

J: I remembered CareerCross because I had used the site way back in 2001 when I first came to Japan. I was looking for work and signed up for CareerCross – so it’s always been there. It’s part of the fabric of Tokyo for me! So I thought “They must be doing something right because they’re still here!”. That’s when I reached out to you guys.

How have the candidates been that you’ve hired through CareerCross?

J: They’ve been great. I think because the candidacy process was very robust we could make those hires confidently. When I’m interviewing someone, I’m not only thinking about their skills, but I also focus on their personality and consider how they would fit with the team. They do need experience of course, and be IT literate, but they don’t need all the specific skills because we can teach them those. However, it’s critical that they are kind, and have a “can do” attitude towards life and work.

There was one particular position that was pretty hard to fill, partly because of the bilingual aspect but also because we needed someone who had a lot of experience. You proactively helped us find exactly the right person for that particular role.

Another great example was when we needed a candidate specifically with experience in domestic Japanese TV production. I had no idea how to find someone in that field who might be interested in transitioning to a createive agency, but sure enough, through you guys we found just the right person, and she’s now a key part of our team.

The people who have been brought in through CareerCross have given us so much, not just in the work that they do, but the fun we have working with them.

What are your overall impressions about using CareerCross?

J: It was quite a game changer, really. Until then our recruitment was all on us, and we were so busy running the company. We’re not at the stage where we need an HR manager, but we don’t have time to do recruitment. Partnering with you guys and having you do the discovery, help us write job posts, and advise us, was a huge relief.

The most important part is that it works! Through CC we’ve found some great people who are really good fits for the company. I’ve also learnt more about recruitment in our industry in general. What used to  be a mystery box has now been opened up so I can understand better what kind of people are out there and what kind of salaries to offer.

It’s been great, and I’m very satisfied.

Hana Saito
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
048-829-123x
HanaSaito@email.com

July 15, 2018

Mr. David Smith
Human Resource Manager
ABC Worldwide Food Company
1-2-3 Nakameguro
Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0000

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am contacting you today to express my interest in the Marketing Manager position posted on the CareerCross website. After reviewing my enclosed resume, I hope you will consider my qualifications as a match to your needs.

Working as a Marketing Assistant for XYZ Food Supply Company in London for three years, I was able to develop a strong understanding of the demands and needs of consumers. Last September, I was promoted to Team Leader at XYZ because of my talents for organizing and supervising. I successfully improved the team productivity by raising the frequency of internal communications, and introduced a new system to measure the effectiveness of XYZ’s advertising.

Through my practical experience and my Master’s Degree in Marketing Management at Nottingham University, I feel fully prepared to meet the demands of your fast-paced marketing division. According to your advertisement, the position requires someone who is very dynamic, energetic, outgoing, flexible and responsible, and works well both independently or as a part of team. Due to my skills and experiences, I am confident my skillset would serve to create profitable results for ABC Worldwide.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I am excited about the idea of working for Japan’s national leader in imported food, and look forward to hearing from you to arrange a meeting.

Sincerely,

Hana Saito

Well, for starters relax. In this land of honne (personal perspectives) vs. tatemae (those shared publicly) your possible arrogance is of little importance – or so you may be told. You are wise, however, to consider how potential employers perceive you. Bravado from back home against a backdrop of Confucian cultural humility is worthy of consideration. Sure, one of the best things about not being Japanese in Japan is the low bar for keeping local decorum. But as a recruiter once told me: “Nine out of 10 times, an interview means they’ve already decided they want you professionally. They just want to know if your personality will be a good fit.”

Self-confidence is an essential ingredient in the recipe for career success. This is especially true if it involves managing others in the workplace. But surveys have shown that a significant percentage of promising candidates who fizzle out during the interview process do so because they come off as too arrogant or under confident. While much has been written and said about exuding confidence in job interviews, there are some peculiarities about doing so in Japan. Sure, cross-cultural common sense may dictate toning it down a bit when sitting across the table from a potential Japanese employer, but these days in an increasingly internationalized Land of the Rising Sun, it’s not quite that simple.

For example, if you’ve taken the time to learn about the company you’ve set your sights on, you’ll know if it’s a foreign affiliate with a more Western work culture. Even if it is a Japanese firm, many have read the writing on the wall. The increased demand for bi-cultural, as well as, bilingual employees with overseas experience – whose ranks your Japanese interviewer may be among – means more are likely to break with tradition. In other words, self-starters who take the initiative and responsibility, think for themselves, and communicate well are gradually becoming more attractive than the submissive salaryman or order-barking bucho. Hence, exuding self-confidence may be more important than you think. The question is, what’s the best way to do it?

It’s best to take a little linguistic clue from the locals. Just as watashi, or “I”, can be used in Japanese conversation as seldom as other specifics, there are more ways than one to tout your talents. You can also talk up team triumphs and describe the role you played as a member of that team. This conveys a propensity and appreciation for teamwork, while mutedly tooting your own horn. There’s no more socially acceptable display of self-confidence in Japan, however, than a positive genki attitude. The opportunity to show this, and your communication skills, starts long before you get to the interview room. Polite chat on the way there, while waiting in the lobby, or even with the receptionist can signal a good attitude and ability to communicate with others on all levels. Some potential employers have been known to keep covert tabs on such pre-interview interactions.

That’s not the only way, however, that you can send silent signals about self-esteem and your ability to mesh with a team. Long before – or if – you meet face-to-face, your résumé has already transmitted much about this. Are your skills and abilities outlined completely? Are they understated – or overstated? What about so-called soft skills? Many employers highly value talents, such as problem solving, leadership, and multitasking, especially when considering candidates with little or no experience. Your résumé should show you do too. And it shouldn’t downplay big-name companies; they make much more of an impression in Japan than modesty.

Also consider, well within the scope of accuracy, rewording previous job titles. There’s often leeway for translation. At that last job were you a Web designer or Web architect, a reporter or a journalist, company president or its founder? Often such alternative titles are equally accurate, but one may carry more weight in Japan than the other. It can also make a difference in the salary you’re offered, as well as say something about how you see yourself. Most importantly, you’ll need to be able to back up what your résumé claims, not with braggadocio, but with anecdotal evidence of your skills and experience. Being adequately prepared to do this will help convey the kind of balanced self-assurance that might humble even Confucius himself.

1. Chronological Resume

This resume style starts with the most recent employment first and educational background last, in what is called “reverse-chronological order”.
Career advancement and promotions can be stressed, however, it may have a negative effect for a person who has had many career moves. A good rule of thumb is to focus on the past ten years of employment history relevant to the position you’re seeking.

2. Functional Resume

Skills and experience take priority in this type of resume and are highlighted in sections. Unlike the chronological resume, work history and skills do not need to be stated in timeline order. By using this style, you can emphasize your particular skills to a potential employer. It is better to avoid using this style if you do not have much overall work experience.

3. Combination Resume

This style is a combination of the chronological and functional resume formats. This is the most popular and utilized style of resume. It is common to list employment history and skills first and educational background afterward, but can also be in the reverse order depending on your experience and the job you’re applying for.

A Note of Caution for the Combination Resume

1. Resume Header

Unlike a Japanese resume, your full name needs to be placed at the top of the document, as if it were a title.
It will stand out more by using bold or a slightly larger font than the body text of your resume. This should be immediately followed by your contact information and website link if you have one.

2. Paper

Use A4 paper of good quality. A heavy white, light gray, or ivory paper would be best. Do not fold or crease the paper. Keep it neat with no visible faults, such as stains, smudged ink, or pen marks. 

3. Layout

The most important information should be placed on the top of the resume to get the attention of the potential employer. In general, there are sections with headings for experience, education, achievements, and skills. If you are a new graduate, it is common to list previous activities and courses that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

4. Font and Size

Times New Roman at 12 point font is a commonly used font and font size combination. In addition, bolding the titles of resume sections makes them noticeable and easy to read. Do not use any font size smaller than 9 point and no more than three different font sizes at once. For example, your name at the top can be 12 point font, while your subheadings can be 11 point, and the body text can be 10 point. Keep a visible balance in your text so that nothing distracts the employer from reading your full resume and considering you for the job!

5. Work Experience and Educational background

The most common resume style starts with the most recent experience and background that includes short and concise explanations; preferably one line per explanation. Any special notes should be written on a separate page, but the whole resume should be kept to one page, two at maximum if absolutely necessary. Duration dates and basic locations, including the city, state or country, of offices and schools should also be included in the resume.

The purpose of an interview is to determine if your skills, abilities, experience, and character will fit the position and company you are interviewing with, and also to give you the chance to see if the opportunity on offer is the right one for you. It is important to always make a good impression and appear positive about the job, the company, and about yourself. If you are eventually offered the job, you can always turn it down, but will have no choice if they reject you first.

Before the Interview

• Do your research. Find out as much as you can about the company you are interviewing with – check the newspapers, visit their home page, and look at their reviews on job sites. A good basic understanding of a company indicates strong interest and shows enthusiasm while a complete lack of knowledge indicates the opposite.
• Think of some interesting and relevant questions to ask the interviewer.
• Prepare answers to questions you think you maybe asked – see our Interview questions page for a detailed list of likely questions.

At the Start of an Interview

• Make an effort regarding your appearance and personal presentation. Look sharp. Go into the interview with a positive attitude.
• Refrain from smoking, even if offered, both before and during the interview.
• Take a clean copy of your resume, especially if you originally applied by mail, fax,or email.
• Have a strong confident handshake.
• Maintain comfortable eye contact.
• If you are asked to fill out any forms, take your time, and ensure you complete them in full and accurately.
• If there is a test, ensure you understand the instructions completely and use only permitted materials. If unsure, ask.
• Be prepared – learn from your past interviews and study up for this one.

During the Interview

• Be positive. Be enthusiastic. Be interested. Be calm.
• Express yourself clearly and do not mumble or use jargon your interviewer may not understand.
• If you are not sure or did not understand the question, ask the interviewer to repeat the question. If you are still not sure, repeat what you think they said and then answer. Never guess what you think you are asked as this can lead to confusing and uncomfortable situations.
• Answer questions succinctly and do not ramble. Give definitive answers. Try not to give one word answers, but be concise (try to limit answers to two minutes). Ideally, the discussion should be 50% interviewer, 50% applicant.
• Never complain about your current or past employers and try to keep your answers positive and upbeat.
• Ask questions about the job, the company, and its future plans. Try not to ask question about holidays, working hours, or benefits until at least the second interview.
• Do not raise the issue of money. If asked, say that you are interested in the position and the company. If asked to name a salary figure, mention what you currently or previously earned and express your willingness to accept a reasonable offer.
• Toward the end of the interview ask the interviewer if he/she would like to clarify anything about what has been said or about your background, then answer truthfully and honestly.

At the end of the interview

• At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for the opportunity to meet with them, express a strong interest in the position, and ask what the next step is.
• Remember to shake hands again before leaving.
• Wait until you are out of sight and earshot from the building before showing any further reaction or telephoning anyone to discuss what happened.

After the interview

• Make a note of the questions you were asked – they may come up again.
• Think about your replies. Could you have answered better or in a different way?
• If you did not have an answer or didn’t understand a question, ensure you investigate everything about that particular question to gain full understanding for when it may come up again.
• Incorporate any feedback into your interview preparation for next time – often there are only one or two points separating the successful candidate from the runner up and what you have learned could make a difference.

An Overview

In some ways, your cover letter is as important as your resume. As most employers only skim over resumes, you should use your cover letter to bring attention to what makes you the best person for the job. A cover letter should accompany each resume sent out, whether it’s by email, fax, or mail. Cover letters should be customized to the specific job and employer.

The Goal of a Cover Letter

The goal of your cover letter, in addition to your resume, is to convince an employer to spend the time and energy required to interview you. Therefore, your cover letter should not be a superficial overview, a detailed biography, or a letter full of self praise. Its purpose is to support your resume and get you an interview – no more and no less.

Employers are searching for answers to basic questions such as: Can you do the job? Would you be right for the job? Can you bring any other special experiences or skill sets with you? The cover letter can also be a good place to explain away any points of concern or fill in the gaps that may be found in your resume. For example:

• Why did you change jobs so many times?
• Why do you want to work overseas?
• Will you or would you be able to commit to long term?
• Are you able to work in a new enviroment having only worked in one company so far?
• The resume lists manager roles, but are you able to manage people from a different culture?
• There is a long list of computer languages, but have you actually written in all of them?

Types of Cover Letters

There are various formats of cover letters for each situation. Every person has their own style, but basically you can break them down into the following:

1. Standard cover letter
2. Response to an advertisement
3. Cold solicitation
4. Networking
5. Follow up/Thank you letter

Cover Letter Format

Regardless if you are sending your cover letter via mail or email, cover letters should be neatly typed, formatted, and include:

1. Your location and contact information 
2. The date
3. Addressee’s name 
4. Their title within the company 
5. The company name
6. The company’s address

After filling in the address information, begin your cover letter with Dear Mr. or Ms., and the addressee’s last name.

If you do not have a specific contact to address your letter to, address it to the Human Resources Department or Hiring Manager.

You should try and keep the body of the letter as simple as possible while still conveying all the salient points you wish to convey to the reader. As a general rule, try to keep it to no more than four brief paragraphs. 

They should include:

First paragraph:

• The desired position
• Where/how you learned about the position/company
• Your interest in the position/company

Second/Third paragraph:

• Describe related experiences and skill sets
• Explanation of how and why you are qualified for the position
• Identify something significant about the company
• Draw parallels between the company and your career objectives

Fourth paragraph:

• Reiterate your interest in the position and company
• Include follow up (will call; expect call)
• Thank them for their time and consideration

Lastly, end your letter with a simple closing. Type your closing, leave a space for your signature, and below that space, type your name. You can digitally input your signature, or print and physically sign your name legibly in the space between the closing and your name.

If being sent by mail, the cover letter should be printed on quality paper and neatly placed into an envelope with your resume. If being sent via email, it should be saved as a PDF and attached as an attachment to the email. In addition, it could be copy and pasted into the body of the email without the address lines. 

Follow Up

If you have not heard from an employer within two or three weeks of submitting a resume, it is acceptable to follow up by letter, email, or telephone. It is important to bear in mind that although some employers will acknowledge receipt of resumes, others simply do not have time to respond – do not jeopardize your chances by getting upset if you haven’t heard back for a while. Keep copies of cover letters for reference when following up with employers.

Qualification and Skill Summary:

• Fluent in both Japanese and English
• Worked 3 years in the Securities and Finance industry, with a specific focus on risk management and operational control procedures
• 3 years of experience working in the USA

Education

• US CPA
• Obtained my designation after three years of articling.

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Professional Qualifications

• US CPA

Professional Experience

• Senior auditor responsible for overseeing the conduct of risk and control based audits of trading and non-trading business units.
• Perform controls based reviews of business unit operations and procedures
• Identify weaknesses in operating environments and providing recommendations to address these

• Maintained the provision of financial audit services to a wide portfolio of clients, with specific focus on US business operations in Japan
• Managed the design, modification, and finalization of audit planning memorandums, performed preliminary risk assessments, and testing of internal controls
• Deployed and supervised staff for the duration of the audit assignment
• Oversaw the progression and development of junior staff

SUMMARY:
Information Technology Sales Professional seeking a senior position utilizing my extensive management, sales, and bilingual abilities.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS:
SALES

• Sold high-technology consulting and supply services to businesses in Tokyo.
• Dealt with both Western and Japanese clientele and grew sales from JPY1 million to over JPY50 million a year.
• Created training programs and trained new sales people in six metropolitan markets.

MANAGEMENT

• Managed up to 40 people in the sales, customer service, and administration departments.
• Oversaw staff that consisted of a mix of Japanese and non-Japanese personnel.
• Liaised extensively between technology division and supply division.

DEVELOPMENT

• Responsible for the development and opening of financial services division.
• Accountable for growth and profitability resulting in 100% success and maintained 30% growth over a 7 year period across 3 divisions.

TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS:
SOFTWARE

• Microsoft Word
• Lotus Notes

OPERATING SYSTEMS

• Windows
• Linux

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

Interview Sample Dialogue 2

Interview Sample Dialogue 3

Interview Sample Dialogue 4

Interview Sample Dialogue 1 Japanese

Interview Sample Dialogue 2 Japanese

Interview Sample Dialogue 3 Japanese

Interview Sample Dialogue 4 Japanese

A few things you should definitely should or should not do or say before, during, and after the interview process:

• Do look at the company’s website before the interview.
• Do prepare beforehand any notes and questions you would want to ask.
• Do not turn up for the interview either too early or too late. Generally between 5 and 10 minutes before the appointed time is sufficient.
• Do give your self enough time to get to the interview and compose yourself before walking into the reception.
• Do wear appropriate clothes to the interview. Generally a suit and tie or the equivalent.
• Do not take your jacket off unless you are invited to do so.
• Do stand up when the interviewer enters the room – it is rude to remain seated.
• Do not sit down until the interviewer does.
• Do be polite at all times.
• Do shake hands with a firm grip and look the person in the eye when you greet him.
• Do offer your business card to the interviewer.
• Do not play with the interviewers business card when your receive it. Place it face up on the desk in front of you and refer to it if necessary.
• Do not smoke directly before or during the interview.
• Do not chew gum during the interview.
• Do turn off your mobile phone for the duration of the interview.
• Do not complain too much about you present or previous company.
• Do show enthusiasm for the new company.
• Do not sound overtly ambitious.
• Do show a desire to succeed.
• Do not be overly aggressive or defensive.
• Do show confidence in yourself and be proud about what you have achieved.
• Do not answer questions with a simple yes or no – try to expand your answers.
• Do keep your answers reasonably short and to the point – no more than about 2 minutes each.
• Do ask questions about the position and the company.
• Do not ask about pay and conditions until at least the second interview.
• Do thank the interviewer for their time and shake their hand before leaving.