My morning at Konami

[kryss]

Reddie and Orion know a little of this, as do some others. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin...

Due to the previous uncertainty of the NOVA situation I've been looking into a new career or at least another job to keep me going. I need to fund my bragging rights afterall.

About two months ago I stumbled across an advert for a localisation position at Konami Digital Entertainment in Tokyo. It was for working on the Winning Eleven series of games, which elsewhere are known as Pro Evolution Soccer. I wasn't very confident but filled in an online application form anyway.

Two weeks later I received an email telling me I'd passed the preliminary stage and asking me to send a resume with a detailed list of what each job entailed, etc. So I did but not until a month after I had got that email. Oops. And I hoped. And nothing.

Then last week I got another email from the same guy in the personnel section asking me to come for an interview sometime the following week. So I chose today at 11am, and they rang me to confirm.

Today comes and I go. It was really interesting. The Konami office in Tokyo is in Tokyo MidTown near Roppongi (very trendy area, just google it). I went to reception on the ground floor, told them I had an interview, they asked me if I was ****** ****** and I of course said yes. Then they gave me a visitors pass with a QR code that would allow me onto the first floor so that's where I went.

When I got to the first floor and scanned my code in I was met by the guy from Personnel who showed me into a room and left me there for a few minutes. A few minutes later he came back and re-arranged the chairs to allow the 4 people who were going to interview me to sit opposite me. 4 people!

I was under the impression that the guy from Personnel - Takahata-san - was going to be the one interviewing me. Nope, it was 4 guys from the team that make the game that did.

I'd never had an interview in Japanese before so obviously I was very nervous, but the 4 guys there were really nice. The questions weren't easy and included:
> Why do you want to work for Konami?
> Why do you like Japan?
> Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
> Who is your favourite football team?
> What kind of music is popular in the UK at the moment?
> What video games are popular right now in the UK?
> If you were to make a game, would it involve more Japanese culture or Western culture?
Along with some about previous jobs and experience. But it turned out the job was more of organising than actual translating, which was a little disappointing.

Like I said, the four guys who were doing the interviewing was pretty nice, though they told me at the end that in the photo I sent along with my resume I looked like a terrorist! We all had a laugh about that, I told them the photo was only 4 weeks old and they were surprised as they thought it didn't look a bit like me.

Takahata-san saw me out and told me I'd hear back within two weeks. I thanked him and took my leave.


It was a very interesting experience though a little stressful before hand. Even if I don't get the job I'll still remember what it was like and it'll be a good story to bring up in the future when I'm drinking with people.

[Shuji]

hehe... That must've been hard Kryss-sensei.  I can only imagine what it felt like to be interviewed by four people.

I hope they liked you!!!   ...of course they did ^_^

[Zanibas]

Breathtaking!

I'm sure glad you made it out alive, and we hope to see your name in a game credit somewhere! And after that, we invade Japan =P

[Captn' Red]

Oh man. xD

I do hope you get the job man. ^^,

[kryss]

thanks man

[Orion]

It was probably your short cropped hair that threw them off. Even if it's not a translating gig, you may get the chance to get into that position later. Get your foot in the door first and then show them what you have to sell.

[goldy496]

Good luck! Hope you get that job.

[Plasmacaster]

my fingers are crossed for you dude


Working at Konami would be one hell of a kick-ass job!

[Karo Rushe]

I hope you get the job.

It would be a Cool job to work at Konami even if it's for a Soccer Game =X

[Zanibas]

Build small, and work up =P.

All with a humble attitude that can be assertive =P

[kryss]

I hope you get the job.

It would be a Cool job to work at Konami even if it's for a Soccer Game =X

that's exactly what i thought

[NarutakiTwinsRule]

I realize this post is like, 3 months too late but...

WHAT THE HELL KIND OF QUESTIONS WERE THOSE?!

[Pezzy]

Like a terrorist? Hilarious scenario there. *Imagines kryss' avatar with a beard and a turban.* I lol'd. Sorry.

[Hikaru]

OI, there are North Korean and un-american Americans that are terrorists too!

*please sense the sarcasm in my post.*

[Pezzy]

un-american American? Is that, some kind of super American? (<3 Sarcasm 4ever)

Btw how long do you need to wait till you hear the final conclusion from them? lol, I looked at the posted date. Kinda long ago happened event. I assume you have heard from them the final conclusion already?