FY2024 ラジオビジネス英語Interview（２－１）

Kailene Falls　ケイリーン・フォールズ　イラストレーター

Listening point

Why was it difficult for Kailene to find a job?

Because she wasn't really aware of the job searching system in Japan.

Interview

Kailene Falls, welcome to our program. It's a great pleasure to have you with us here today.

I'm very happy to be here today. Thank you.

So, you study graphic design and Japanese at university. Without any prior connections or work experience, Finding a job in Japan right after university must have presented some challenges, right?

It was really difficult. I wasn't really aware of the job searching system in Japan, where students usually use the last year of university to heavily look for jobs and my plan have been to graduate American university and then send my portfolio off to a number of different Japanese companies. Unfortunately, I kept getting the same response, it wasn't the hiring season. So the first half year, I was still interning at an American fashion boutique, doing their graphic design, while trying to find a job in Japan. And I tweeted about my troubles, saying that I cannot find a job in Japan. And somebody responded, saying that Have you looked at any job hunting sites, Tenshoku site. And I had not heard of the term before and so they gave me a few to try. And I was just very fortunate to find a company whose president liked American design and was interested in hiring somebody that had an American background because of the upcoming Olympics. I spoke Japanese to a certain extent at that point and I had an American design education. And I was able to use that in finding my job. I got my VISA and I moved to Japan in January of 2014. So, yeah, a little over 10 years ago.

Wow, that must have been a stressful process. 

It was stressful, but it was exciting. Because I had decided that I wanted to move to Japan when I was maybe 15 or so. And so, a seven years dream was finally becoming realized. I had studied Japanese in university, but there was a lot of specific vocabulary in the design field that I didn't know and I hadn't quite gotten the skill of understanding which parts of sentence I 100% need to understand and what parts I can sort of ignore. I think that a very important thing in language learning is realizing that you don't need to know 100% of what the partner is saying. But you need to know the primary concepts and understanding the rest from context.

Words and phrases

send off: ～を送る。～を送り出す。
In this case, to send off or send something off means to send it to the relevant people, to mail or submit something. Send and send something off are very similar. But phrases like send something off or send in sound more specific and have the nuance of sounding like the task has been completed. For example, 'I sent my resume off to the company' sounds more like the applicant has finished their part and is waiting for an answer. But 'I sent my resume to the company' makes the listener feel they may need more information.

intern: インターンとして働く。
term: 用語。

upcoming: ある出来事や時期がやって来る。
coming soon, approaching like a deadline. Something that you're expecting to happen soon. Something that is upcoming describes something that is about to happen. For example, 'I have to study for my upcoming test.' means I have to study for a test that I'll have soon.

to a certain extent: ある程度。
In a way, to a degree, not completely. Kailene said that at the time, she spoke Japanese to a certain extent, meaning that she could speak Japanese, but wasn't completely fluent. Here's another example. I can help you to a certain extent, but you'll have to finish the project on your own.

Enhance your vocabulary

adaptable: 適応力のある。
I'm highly motivated and adaptable with a strong passion for marketing.
私はとても意欲的で適用力が高く、マーケティングに強い情熱を持っています。

hit the ground running: すぐに全力で取り掛かる。
I'm confident that I can hit the ground running and make an immediate impact on your team.
私はすぐに動き出しチームに即座に影響を与えることができる自身があります。

bring energy and enthusiasm: 情熱を注ぐ。
I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my energy and enthusiasm to this role.
私はこの役割に情熱を注ぐ機会を楽しみにしています。

Your turn

私の対人スキルは御社にとって大きな財産になると信じています。
I believe my interpersonal skills will be a great asset to your company.

今日の言葉

A very important thing in language learning is realizing that you don't need to know 100% of what the partner is saying.
言語を学ぶ上で重要なのは相手の言っていることを完全に理解する必要ない、と気づくことです。