Aug 22 2007
Done and Done
I apologize for the lack of updates. The reason I haven’t been updated is because I’ve been busy. The reason I’ve been busy is because I’ve done got a job! Huzzah! Let me try to recap so as to keep the timeline progressing smoothly…
I left you fellow readers with the interview at investment company number five. I came in around 10am for what I thought was the usually half hour deal (unspoken agreement, of course) and was unknowingly taken on a rollercoaster of interviews. I was first interviewed by the foreigner head of the department, who then handed the baton to his Japanese second-in-command. Those two took about an hour and were actually quite pleasing to speak with. They then left me with the words "Don’t screw it up." and before I had a chance to really ponder the deeper meaning, five or six other people from one of their operations teams came to interview me in succession. Yes, I got a little tired of explaining why I chose Japan and Japanese six consecutive times, but you know, you make these kinds of sacrifices when you do an interview. Well, there are ‘other’ kinds of sacrifices, but we won’t get into that.
As the foreigner department head was leading me (I was very disoriented at that point) to the elevator, he gave me a verbal offer. This was pretty cool, I thought. You know when you apply for college and you send that one application to your dream school knowing that you won’t get in but figure it’s worth the shot anyway? Yeah, that’s me and this company. I got in.
They rushed the whole process pretty quickly to get me started on the immigration procure as soon as possible. They gave me a verbal offer last Wednesday, a written offer on Friday, I turned in the signed written offer on Monday and I’m on my way. But folks, immigration takes forever and a day. Seriously, if I can actually be working by early next year, I’ll be surprised. In actuality though, I’ll hopefully be starting around early October, but still. The image of me working in Japan actually consisted of me working. Behind a desk. With, you know, computers and stuff. Not just twiddling my thumbs, waiting for the Japanese government to give me the ‘ok’ to start working. Oh well, you take what you can get.
Besides the immigration procedure, I have a whole bunch of fun stuff I get to do in the interim. First, and most importantly, I need to find a place. I’ve been staying at various friends¡Ç places for the last six weeks, and I think I may be running out of friends. I went apartment hunting with my ladyfriend and a real estate agent (yes, they are necessary to rent an apartment) and found a really great place just a 10 minute train ride from where I work. Hopefully I can get the paperwork started on this too.
Before I move into my own place, the company will provide me with a ‘temporary residence’ to use. As sketchy as it sounds, I think it will work out pretty well.
Anywho, more updates as they come. My life is pretty much filled with paperwork and processing right now, so don’t expect anything exciting.
Powered by FireStats
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Now what we have to do is to celebrate your success in your job search!
That is great news! Thank you very much for sharing your job search adventure with us.
After you get all the paperwork done, can you keep us clued in on your adventures in the office? I’m curious about what life is like in a Japanese work environment. Most of the best jobs there seem to be in the financial industry, any insights you could give on the work culture would be most appreciated.
Very nice. In what area of Tokyo are you working?
Tomo: Thanks! I’ll have plenty of time to celebrate with everyone while I’m waiting for immigration to process my visa.
Richard: I will definitely try to keep you guys clued in as to what goes on in the office. I’m not sure I can say its a “Japanese work environment” in good conscience. I will be working at a foreign company in Japan, also known as gaishikei (³°»ñ·Ï¡ËThe actual employees, including my team, are mostly Japanese however, much of the corporate culture seems like it’s imported. I’ll be sure to give you the rundown anyway, complete with usual sarcasm.
Turner: Thanks. I will be working in Roppongi Hills.