On The Spot

 

On The Spot

I went to a job interview at a major global corporation.

Having retired from active duty in January, this was the 47th company I had applied to. I walked in thinking, “Well, I’ll probably fail this one too.” For context, the company I worked for during my career wasn’t a global giant, but it was a top-tier company in Japan.

After filling out a simple questionnaire, I was first asked about my motivation for applying.
“A foreign friend of mine was struggling to find work, but they were hired by your company and were absolutely thrilled. I also saw that you actively hire senior citizens. This led me to believe that your company conducts fair hiring practices, which is why I applied.”

Next, I was asked why it is important to initiate greetings yourself.
“Greeting someone — even a complete stranger — creates an opportunity to connect. Often, once you actually speak to someone, your impression of them changes completely compared to how they looked at first glance. Some young people don’t return greetings, but I make it a point to steel my resolve and always be the first to say hello.”

When asked about my special skills, I replied that I lived in the United States for two and a half years to attend graduate school, so I am fluent in English conversation.

They then asked what I am most proud of.
“When my relative’s child came over to visit, I intended to show off by naming the top 30 brightest stars. However, when the time came, I realized I hadn’t actually memorized them properly. I learned that just thinking you know something isn’t enough when it matters most. Since then, I have spent an hour every morning reciting the names of the 150 brightest stars, the 47 U.S. presidents, and the 117 elements of the periodic table.”

When asked if there was anything I do daily for self-improvement, I replied that I have been enrolled in an American graduate school for the past 10 years.

Right after the interview concluded, they told me on the spot, “You’re hired.”