My previous job...

Dear Van,

Your article reminds me when I started my previous job after I graduated from University.

To tell the truth I didn't plan to work after graduation and I wanted to go to fashion school to learn how to make dresses!!
But my mother couldn't afford it and I had to find a job.

I had to send letters to about 80 companies and had 30 interviews before I got a job.
The company is Nomura Securities, the biggest Securities company in Japan.
My parents was happy to hear that and my friends envied me.
However I couldn't give up to find a job for fashion company, so I continue to send letters to fashion companies even if they require shop staffs.
But I couldn't.

My previous job was very hard.
Nomura is famous for hard work, so its nick name is 'Hetoheto Shoken'.
It means very wearing securities company!!
Moreover salespeople in Nomura are called 'Nomura's soldier'!!
It's true! lol
I was in the office at 7.30am and leave at 8pm or later.
I visited, called and send letters to clients everyday.
One day I found I was sleeping at the door of my room in the company dormitory because I was sooo exhausted.
Lucky to me, the dormitory was catered and it had a big public heart-shaped bath!!
Bosses were strict and I was scolded almost everyday and required me to study more.
However I knew they always tried to bring out the best in myself.
Some of them visted me in London, send letters and email to me.

In the beginning, I thought I was not suited to the job and I was not familiar to finance.
Even my bosses and colleagues thought so as well because I'm a quiet little girl.
And as you know all salesmen in my office except me was big sports man.
However I did really good job and I achieved the highest monthly performance among the employees who joined the company in the same year.
My bosses finally realised that I cut out to be a saleswoman.

To be honest, I sometimes cred on the street in Tokyo while at work, and considered to give up work many times.
On the other hand, the job was sometimes so exciting.
After 4 years, I found I liked and enjoyed finance.

However I came here.
I could not give up fashion.
I finish making a shirt at internship today, it is a sample for next exhibition.

That's just my memory.

Hamae