I will bump this post to the top every time we have openings - and we got some now for Smart Doll Production - read on to see how to apply.
Why CV's are not important at Culture Japan
A typical Japanese company requires a resume (using the standard Japanese format with photo attached). Apparently the way you look says a lot about your abilities.
As a hiring manager at Amazon, I never ever looked at school qualifications on a resume and only barely skimmed through the work experience section.
This is not to say that I don't think qualifications are important - they are if you plan to work for pretty much any other company that requires a resume and having a sharp resume format will probably help too.
To work for us however, I don't care about the claims candidates make on paper, about what they have done in the past, I don't care what age or race they are and I don't care about what they look like. What I do care about is what they can do for us right now.
I always encourage folks to make time for side projects to learn stuff - it doesn't matter if you are a student or salary wo/man - its something you should do. If you can make time for sleep, food, poo and checking Facebook then you got time for side projects - the particular ones that I'm on the look out for is things like illustrations, apps and physical creative stuff like cosplay, kitbashes and so on.
Our Entrance Examination
Folks who are creative and like making stuff are most suited to the company culture here at Culture Japan. For this reason, everybody we hire has to pass a single test called the "Mirai Frame Challenge" - regardless of the position that they are applying for.
"Working with ambiguity" was a requirement during my days at Amazon and this requirement lives on at Culture Japan. Candidates need to be able to achieve without specific instructions. Not only does the "Mirai Frame Challenge" test ones ability to make stuff but also one's ability to work with ambiguity as we do not include written instructions to make Mirai Frame. This test also adds the element of dexterity as we need folks to be nimble too.
Some may say that this test is a lousy measure for somebody applying for a marketing position. I will tell you why this is not so for our company.
During my time at Amazon, all senior members including Vice Presidents had to participate from time to time in Customer Connection programs which had them working for a few days at places like the Fulfilment Centers or Customer Service which keeps them in touch with the customer.
At Culture Japan, everybody needs to fully understand the product and the amount of work that goes into creating it. This means that departments (like marketing) who are not directly involved with production can make better judgement calls in their job through the experience of actually creating the key component for our products.
Mirai Frame Challenge
The challenge is to build Mirai Frame within 1 hour and at the moment the challenges are done at our offices in Tokyo. There are no instructions and candidates need to work out how to build it by looking at the completed samples that we provide.
We give folks 2 hours to complete their first Mirai Frame, 1 hour to complete their second one and their third one should also be completed in 1 hour - a total of 4 hours.
At the end of each round, the judge examines each frame to make sure everything is in the right place and that joints are not too loose or too tight. If candidates can complete the first frame in 2 hours, we point out any mistakes made in the first frame and expect the second frame to be made with zero mistakes.
Folks who can't complete their first frame in two hours have the option of leaving or plugging on like a good soldier - but even if they do complete the frame, they do not qualify to be hired. Its like the Hunger Games but folks get to leave alive.
Veteran Gunpla builders have managed to complete their first frame in 30 mins!
Candidates who do manage to pass the Mirai Frame Challenge are pretty much hired straight away if they are applying to work on Smart Doll production.
Candidates are not paid to take the challenge - the candidate invests their time while we invest our time and resources and cost of materials and frames - frames made during a challenge cannot be sold as they will usually have some sort or mistake or damage which is expected for a first timer. I must also mention that candidates can only take the test once.
Some folks can build a 1 frame an hour - some can build 2 and is only fair that folks who build faster should be compensated more. Salary is discussed at time of hiring.
Folks who think that doing tests for free is a no no should read about the things I done for free to build my career.
Jobs available right now
This photo was taken at a recent Mirai Frame Challenge - we did this on a Friday - 3 of them who completed the challenge started to work for us the following Monday.
Right now I'm looking for folks who can work on Smart Doll production which you have read about in detail in the About Culture Japan post.
Folks who think they will be wanting to take the Mirai Frame Challenge should watch the following orientation video on how to complete the whole frame. I made this video because doing the orientation took time. Now we expect folks to watch this video before coming into the office to take the challenge.
This post contains a video, click here to view.
Notes!
#These positions are for folks who are already in Tokyo who can start work straight away.
#You must be able to speak conversational Japanese
#If you are a student, you must be able to work in the afternoons from 2pm - 4pm for at least 3 days/week.
#If you taken the challenge before and failed then you can't take the challenge again (sorry)
#All positions start off as Arubaito regardless of whether you can work 12 hours a week or more.
#Students need to apply for a work permit which they can get from the Shinagawa immigration office.
#Photos and video are taken all the time in the office. If you prefer to remain Anony Mouse then you should not apply.
If you are ready to apply then fill out the Google Form - the Mirai Frame challenge will be held Tuesday 28th July in our Gotanda office - I will contact successful applicants by Monday night. If we do not have enough suitable candidates then the Mirai Frame Challenge will be delayed slightly but still held this week.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZpwBerKE6X7p0oAjmL2QlBt9WyBwGPsNDgFBb3y4fTg/viewform
Arms installation is complete - good luck!
This post contains a video, click here to view.