I can't speak English.
Yesterday, I had a job interview with my agent. I heard the job is required ability to concentrate and speaking English. It sounded I fitted the job.
At the first, the interviewer proudly said to me "All my staff are Japanese, but almost all of them are like native English speaker. Some of them had education overseas and some of them worked in foreign countries over 5 years" It didn't surprise me, because the company was famous as they only hired bilingual people. He continued "But my staff don't want to speak English on the telephone, because it makes them feel embarrassed, cos it seems everybody hear and checked the English. So if you don't mind that my staff hear your speaking English, I'd like to ask you to make phone call to foreign companies to ask something."
It sounded very Japanese, so I said it was OK, but I felt something fishy. Because it doesn't make sense if they can speak English like native speakers and required to speak English, but they don't want to speak, why the people can get such high salaries? I thought there were other reasons, so I asked him the detail of calling and I found it was complicated. I wasn't sure if the call is in Japanese, I can do it or not. He showed me a paper which there are short conversations in Japanese and asked me to speak them in English. I tried, but it was failed even it wasn't difficult. He sniffed (may be he didn't it) me and said "If I hired you, both of us would be unhappy."
OK, I'll never say "I can speak English.", especially, in business situation. I disappointed myself, I believed I could speak English better than that.
In addition, my agent was angry about the client, because the client didn't say about the detail. If she knew it, I would be able to prepare and get the job or she would introduced other person. I thought no thank you to get the job, because I wouldn't be able to handle it. She also was angry about the client attitude to me. I said to her that I was OK, because my ex-boss was more awful than him. She impressed my attitude and she promised to get new offer. I was just older than her, which meant I met more people than her. Oh, Getting old wasn't bad:)
At the first, the interviewer proudly said to me "All my staff are Japanese, but almost all of them are like native English speaker. Some of them had education overseas and some of them worked in foreign countries over 5 years" It didn't surprise me, because the company was famous as they only hired bilingual people. He continued "But my staff don't want to speak English on the telephone, because it makes them feel embarrassed, cos it seems everybody hear and checked the English. So if you don't mind that my staff hear your speaking English, I'd like to ask you to make phone call to foreign companies to ask something."
It sounded very Japanese, so I said it was OK, but I felt something fishy. Because it doesn't make sense if they can speak English like native speakers and required to speak English, but they don't want to speak, why the people can get such high salaries? I thought there were other reasons, so I asked him the detail of calling and I found it was complicated. I wasn't sure if the call is in Japanese, I can do it or not. He showed me a paper which there are short conversations in Japanese and asked me to speak them in English. I tried, but it was failed even it wasn't difficult. He sniffed (may be he didn't it) me and said "If I hired you, both of us would be unhappy."
OK, I'll never say "I can speak English.", especially, in business situation. I disappointed myself, I believed I could speak English better than that.
In addition, my agent was angry about the client, because the client didn't say about the detail. If she knew it, I would be able to prepare and get the job or she would introduced other person. I thought no thank you to get the job, because I wouldn't be able to handle it. She also was angry about the client attitude to me. I said to her that I was OK, because my ex-boss was more awful than him. She impressed my attitude and she promised to get new offer. I was just older than her, which meant I met more people than her. Oh, Getting old wasn't bad:)
posted by Boo | 10:11 am
7 Comments:
I think I would have the same problem, because I don't have many opportunities to speak english. I'm sure you will soon find a good job with a good boss. Looks like you already have good agent. :)
Thank you, rast:) I hope so.
so, your mother lungage isn't English. What is your mother tongue?
I live in Poland, so my native language is polish. :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rast, you are Polish! My friend went your country a couple years ago and I heard it was beautiful. since then Poland is one of the couries which I want to go.
if you have questions about japan, I'll tell you as much as possible.
That was a nasty trick they pulled on you! You write wonderfully, though there are a few flaws here and there. Rome wasn't built in day though, right? I hope you continue to pursue whatever it is you want in life, no matter who or what tries to stand in your way. I read a few posts, and really enjoy your site. I came across it by doing a google search on every day life in Japan. Well, happy writing!
Thank you for commenting and encourage me, amy :) I'll start to write again this blog as soon as possible;)
Post a Comment
<< Home