I was every where in Manhattan yesterday! While I was running to one interview after another, Rob went to TKTS to buy tickets for Rent.
First, I had the interview with 第一生命. Despite the fact that I went on the wrong elevator, came down, and went back up to the 28th floor, I was early for 15 minutes. I rang the bell, and I was escorted by a Japanese receptionist. If I hadn't know, I would have thought she was a mute. Before I told her that I have an interview with Mr. Yamashita, she just waved me to the conference room. Anyway, they gave me a test on accounting and math. The math was all 3 digits/2 digits addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. LOL. I refused to use the worksheet that they gave me. So, I did it in my head.
Anyway, they asked me the following questions:
What are your strengths? - I couldn't shut up here.
What are your weaknesses? - It took me a long time before I could answer that one.
What are the differences between Japanese and Americans? You don't want to know what racist comment I made.
If the Japanese executive were to come to NY, which Chinese restaurant would you take him? As stereotypical as this sounds, I said the soupy Shanghai dumplings (as Mei had presented in class) or Peking Duck. Haha.
What is your salary requirement?
Etc. Overall, I did well. I made them laugh a few times. It's hard to explain. The environment is very different. Dai-ichi Life in New York only has an accounting and research department. As for accounting, it's run by a small group of people. I met with 2 vice presidents - 1 for human resource, and the other for accounting. Anyway, I don't think I will take the job if I were given the opportunity. There's something Japanese that I don't like about the company. In short, the place seemed to be runned by men. Also, there is little to no growth/advancement opportunity.
Secondy, I had an interview with a second Japanese recruiting firm. I had my excel test there, and scored a 83%. Like the other recruiter, she wanted to test my Japanese. Everyone has to keep stop asking me why I took on Japanese! Because there isn't a more specific answer, I keep telling them it's because I used to read Doraemon. Either way, Japanese people seem to like that answer. Anyway, the Japanese conversation went well. It was flawless besides the fact that I forgot the counter for books - satsu.
After 2 interviews, I met up with Rob. A cop driving a limousine and a white van crashed literally 20 feet away. To the point, the both of us and everyone else saw the collision approaching us and stopped. Anyway, we survived. Stupid cop. Then, we went to Simply Pasta for dinner. The restaurant was BEAUTIFUL. At 8 pm, we went to see Rent.
Now, like everyone who had seen Rent, Seasons of Love is stuck in my head. At least, I remember how many minutes are in a year now~
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure a year in a life?
