My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

Page 366

Rather, I don't believe that well-known companies filter job applicants based on their academic qualifications. The college graduates who land jobs at these companies are mostly from prestigious universities, not because of the prestige of their institutions, but because they possess the ability and potential to be hired, and they just happen to graduate from those universities.

I believe that in the future, more and more companies will set aside their prejudices and make hiring decisions based on the individual abilities of job seekers.

Looking at it from another perspective, we college students looking for jobs shouldn't judge a company's quality solely based on its reputation and brand value. Understanding that job hunting involves not only being chosen by companies but also choosing companies ourselves might be the secret to success.

Here, I would like to share a message with everyone.

"When you gaze intently into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." (Nietzsche)

Wow... I glanced at the article, and it's not bad. But why is it Jianjian who's giving us Nietzsche's famous quote? I'd much rather Nietzsche had given it to me directly.

Yukinoshita nodded as she read the article, while Yuihama and Isshiki found it hard to bear.

"So many words..."

Yuihama unconsciously complained. "If you give up reading just because an article has a lot of words, you'll never get to enjoy Detective Conan! Interesting works are interesting even if they have a lot of words!"

At the same time, Isshiki patted my shoulder impatiently.

"This website is really annoying..."

She grumbled, her fingertips tapping my shoulder showing no sign of stopping. "Um, don't take your anger out on me, okay?"

However, I can understand Isshiki's feelings. This article is indeed somewhat tiresome to read.

I don't understand why the author of the article adopted such a condescending attitude. But that's exactly the kind of attitude some pretentious college students have when they talk. The thought of so many people like that in universities makes me start to loathe university itself…

That said, this guy named Jianjian or something, put in so much effort for his very first blog post. If he keeps writing in this style, readers will get tired of it. I think only Kinki Kids and Terumi Yoshida can match his drive.

"Hmm... I see. I think I understand now. Hachiman, next page!"

Although I didn't know if the woodworker truly understood, I nodded and clicked on the next page.

2. Written test

Most publishers' exams mainly consist of general knowledge questions, but some companies may require candidates to complete an SPI (Information Service Provider) exercise.

Both companies offer past exam questions, so please prepare in advance. The SPI (Sponsored Inquiry) is a mandatory part of most companies' exams, and job seekers are sometimes required to take it, so preparing for it beforehand will not be a disadvantage. In my own experience, S Company and K Company tend to create better questions that assess a candidate's overall abilities, while K Bookstore often uses poorly designed questions to weed out applicants. Those planning to apply to K Bookstore should take note!

Although the writing style was deliberately calm, resentment towards K Bookstore was occasionally revealed between the lines... It seems that this Jianjian probably applied for a job at K Bookstore and was then rejected in the written test.

"Hachiman, what is SPI? Is it a spy?"

The sound of the lumberjack coming from above. Yuihama continued:

"That sounds like the name of a magazine? If I'm going to apply to a publishing house, I definitely need to look at this type of magazine!"

"You mean SPA!", right...?"

What the heck is this SPA! exam?! Are they going to ask questions like, "Please answer the top 30 really delicious potsticker shops in Shinbashi?" But thinking about it carefully, the publisher's written test does sound like something out of a quiz show, so I can't completely dismiss it. It gives me a chill.

I don't understand SPI myself, so I can't answer. At that moment, Yukinoshita reached for the computer and opened a new page to query SPI.

Soon, she found the webpage she needed, put her hand on her chin, and nodded.

"The so-called SPI, simply put, is a personality aptitude test. It uses tests of logical thinking and calculation, language and other abilities, as well as personality tests, to infer the personality traits of the test takers. That's the gist of it."

Yukinoshita gently pushed up her glasses with her middle finger and gave us a concise explanation. However, Yuihama still couldn't quite grasp the point and stared blankly with her mouth wide open.

"Oh...ah, is it like a psychological test? Then I understand!"

Yuihama said cheerfully, turning to look at Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita seemed to have given up on trying to salvage the situation, simply turning her head to the other side.

"...Your interpretation is also acceptable."

"No, there's definitely something wrong, okay?"

"Yukinoshita-senpai, please don't give up on explaining..."

Isshiki's words made Yukinoshita change her mind. She closed her eyes and reconsidered how to explain.

"That's true. If we think carefully about how we explain it, Yui-hama-san can understand. We need to make sure Yui-hama-san can understand... We need to make sure Yui-hama-san can understand..."

Yuihama looked at Yukinoshita, who was muttering to herself and deep in thought, and couldn't help but slump her shoulders in disappointment.

"Yukino's gentleness can really hurt..."

There's no way around it; it's an exam I've never taken before. Explaining or understanding its content is difficult. To truly grasp its meaning, I have to experience it firsthand. Anyway, when I'm looking for a job, no matter how unwilling I am, I'll have to take this kind of exam. Sigh, I really don't want to look for a job…

However, there are still ways to prepare for the written exam, so that's already considered good.

The biggest hurdle in finding a job is the "interview" that follows the written test.

So, how exactly did our Jianjian overcome this challenge? Let's find out.

3. First interview

Some companies use group interviews.

Those guys from K University kept interrupting, they were incredibly annoying, and they even caused me to fail the exam. I curse them for life.

The third point is only this brief. Why has the article suddenly become so rushed? Jianjian, you seem to be putting a lot of effort into writing your complaints, Jianjian!

Because the content was so superficial, I even looked at the timber base from beginning to end and then back again to check if I had missed anything.

"Huh? Hachiman, is that all he wrote?"

"That seems to be the case. Let's continue."

There was so little information that it didn't really evoke any thoughts. I moved my mouse and clicked the link to jump to the next page.

4. Second Interview

Some guy from F Company actually said something like "Oh, you really dare to say that—^^" when I answered my question about my job motivation. Was he trying to start a fight? The position is probably editor-in-chief, I'm definitely not going to let him get away with this.

The article at this point has completely lost its explanation, leaving only a deep-seated resentment and complaints.

The more I read about Jianjian's job search, the more something seemed off to me, and I even found myself chuckling involuntarily.

A sigh could be heard from beneath the snow nearby.

"Specific information is becoming increasingly scarce."

"The unimportant parts are getting more and more detailed..."

Isshiki was equally at a loss for words and could only manage a wry smile.

As the two people mentioned, Jianjian's writing was becoming increasingly thin, which suggests he's likely experienced considerable setbacks during this period. Even I started to feel frustrated as I read on. It seems job hunting is truly tough…

However, this was only the second interview. The story isn't over yet.

I stretched my limbs, focused my mind, and clicked the link to go to the next page.

5. Third interview

A stressful interview. (Note 14: A common interview style in Japanese companies, where interviewers deliberately challenge job seekers to observe their reactions.) Company K sent about ten middle-aged directors, and the sight of them sitting in a row was truly intimidating. No, there might have been twenty. Terrifying.

The article could no longer even be called a complaint. Jianjian's initial enthusiasm had vanished, and his writing became as weak as a thread. However, even at this point, he still persisted in writing, and such tenacious spirit is truly commendable.

The text specifically uses the phrase "oppressive interview," suggesting he was under considerable pressure. Just a few lines are enough to convey the terror and despair.

Even though we can only sit here and imagine it, the interview with board members as examiners sounds exhausting. A group of middle-aged men with titles like chairman, executive director, senior executive, and managing director, sitting in a row in black suits—doesn't it look exactly like SEELE (Note 15: the name of the secret society in *Neon Genesis Evangelion*)? Forget about the shock; my heart is already undergoing its third shock.

"It feels really tough..."

Yuihama's murmurs were filled with sympathy and sorrow. Even I began to feel sad.

"It seems like it's not over yet..."

Yukinoshita spoke in a slightly pained tone, which sounded more like she was telling us to stop looking at the website's content.

But since we've already come this far, let's just keep going until the end. No, we should say we have an obligation to witness it to the very last moment. With trembling hands, I clicked the mouse to select the last article.

6. Final Interview

You guys from the School of Communication Studies, don't joke with me saying that the final interview is just to confirm personal willingness and won't eliminate people. But I was eliminated!

This concludes the "Experience Sharing" section.

What happened to Jianjian in the end? The thought of his future makes my heart clench.

Not only me, but everyone else also sighed deeply.

This may stem from the guilt that arises after inadvertently glimpsing a microcosm of someone's life, or it may come from the inner turmoil that arises after witnessing firsthand the harshness of the job-hunting battle.

However, the main reason is probably the feeling that "I don't want to work with the person who wrote this kind of thing." They started off so enthusiastically, but the second half completely turned into complaints and grumbling…

"Um... I have a feeling that this person wasn't accepted..."

Isshiki said tactfully, and Yuihama realized it then, turning to look at the screen again.

"...Really?! The title clearly says 'Sharing Success Stories'!"

"Ah, I get it. In this type of article, the author often doesn't care about the details and just throws words like 'success' into the sentences first. It's somewhat similar to the law of attraction, or the imagery training that those experts and elites like."

"That kind of thing is less about imagery training and more about self-inspiration..."

Yukinoshita rubbed her temples. "Yes, in a way, job hunting is indeed a bit like self-motivation… Just now, while browsing websites, the screen was constantly filled with bright and appealing phrases like self-analysis, self-promotion, and aspirations for growth. Of course, companies need energetic and resilient individuals, so these things are inevitable. But a group of people standing in a row, desperately trying to project a positive image, just imagining it is anything but natural; it sends chills down my spine."

It seemed there was no suitable field for me... My work motivation plummeted. Just then, the lumberjack standing in front of me quietly called my name.

"Hachiman, what is Daidenken? Is it something like Chiba Inu?"

"They don't look alike at all. Do you even know what a Chiba Inu is?"

Chiba Inu is the mascot of the Chiba Environmental Regeneration Promotion Committee, its design inspired by the shape of Chiba Prefecture. While the name might easily evoke images of Chiba-kun, the two are worlds apart in appearance. Despite having "inu" in its name, Chiba Inu doesn't resemble a dog at all; in fact, Chiba-kun, who calls himself a mysterious animal, is more like a dog. What's wrong with Chiba Prefecture's taste? This prefecture is just too rock 'n' roll!

Hearing our conversation, Yukino tilted her head and thought for a long time.

"It might be an abbreviation for the Mass Communication Research Association."

"Research... I feel like they'll be doing some really amazing experiments."

Yuihama stared blankly at the ceiling, muttering to herself, probably letting her imagination run wild with the word "research." But the research here isn't what you're thinking—a bunch of people in white coats shaking flasks and test tubes!

However, the word "research" alone is indeed difficult to give people a concrete image. If it is scientific and technological or historical research, I can still sketch out a rough outline in my mind, but when it comes to mass communication research, I really have no idea what it is.

"...While you're at it, let's look up some information related to the Department of Communication Studies."

"Hmm. Go ahead and do it!"

Cai Muzuo strongly agreed, even imitating Dr. Clark (Note 16, the first president of Hokkaido University in Japan, whose famous saying was "Young people should have lofty ambitions"), by reaching out and pulling the hem of his coat back. So, I opened Google and started searching.

I randomly entered the names of a few universities, left a space, then entered "Major Communication Research" and pressed the search button.

In the blink of an eye, a bunch of self-satisfied comments appeared on the screen. First came a brief introduction with a photo of him in a suit and his motto, followed by self-promotional articles, and then encouragement and support from his peers, taking up all the space on the screen. They even included photos of his trip to India, climbing Mount Fuji, and a job training camp BBQ. The more you looked, the more confused you became about what the Department of Communication was actually researching.

I couldn't look directly at the webpage content, so I had to squint and glance at it.

Simply put, the Big Communication Research Institute is a club where people who aspire to work in television stations, newspapers, or publishing houses exchange information and share job-hunting strategies.

"Hey Hachiman, if you want to work at a publishing house, do you really have to participate in this thing called Daidensaku Kenkyu (Big Data Research Institute) first? Absolutely? Are you serious?"

Looking at the photos on the website, each one filled with a cheerful atmosphere, Cai Muzuo began to feel restless.

"I think it's unnecessary. This website actually makes me think it's best not to participate..."

I believe that these kinds of organizations that use the names of mass communication research associations or advertising research associations all have a legitimate and normal side.

However, the articles on this website exude an air of self-satisfaction, which makes the student council president of the Seaside Comprehensive High School, Tamaki, occasionally peek out from my memory, making it impossible for me to feel any affection for him.

I continued browsing the website and came across a sentence that caught my attention.

"...Zaimokuza, you're simply not fit into this club."

"Hmm, why?"

I pointed to the instructions for the company entrance exam in the corner of the screen. It stated that in addition to a written test on general knowledge, there would also be an interview with the president and several executives.

"It seems that to participate in this major communication research program, I will first have to pass the written test and the interview."

I tapped on the explanatory text on the screen. Isshiki peeked out from behind, studied it for a while, and then hummed in disinterest.

"Ah—then there's nothing I can do—"

"Hmm... Hachiman, I... I'm not very good at interviews..."

"I already knew that."

I know this all too well... That being said, I'm actually not very good at interviews. There was a period when I even failed job interviews, so after that, not only did I skip work, I also stopped showing up for interviews altogether.

Just as I was reminiscing about my past failures and feeling a surge of pride, Isshiki, who was vigorously typing on the keyboard from behind, suddenly let out an "Oh—" sound, as if he had figured something out.

I looked at Isshiki to ask what had happened, and she nodded gently.

"Yui-senpai should pass this kind of entrance exam with ease, right?"

"Huh, why? I'm really bad at exams..."