The Words That Changed My Career

I am currently 51 years old and unemployed; I see this as a turning point in my life. As I review my resume, I am reflecting on my experiences at the 10 companies I have worked for so far.

While I am now someone who approaches work with a maniacal focus and has changed jobs frequently, I didn't think about anything at all during my 20s and early 30s.

I happened to work at companies where I had connections, but I received some invaluable words from two of my supervisors and a department manager at a client company. Looking back, if it weren't for their words, I might have led a completely different career path.

What do you want to do?

Words from a supervisor in his early 30s (a jack-of-all-trades in sales and accounting) at a trading company where I worked from age 26 to 30.

It was my third company, and my first time handling order processing at a trading company. At first, I was confused because I didn't understand the flow of goods and money, so I consulted my supervisor every time.

One day, my supervisor asked me, "What do you want to do?"I realized that I wasn't thinking for myself and was getting all the answers from my supervisor.

After that, whenever I was troubled, I would think for myself first, and if I wasn't confident, I would say, "Ithink thisis the waybut is that okay?" and started toexpress my own opinions. Looking back, I think this event was my biggest turning point.

You're like clay work

Words from a sales manager at a client manufacturer of my third company, who was the same age as my parents. My predecessor, who was of the same generation, was a tall, glamorous beauty who was very capable at her job. I was the complete opposite in both appearance and mindset, and I felt inferior throughout the handover period.

The sales manager treated me as an equal, even though I was an amateur. Perhaps sensing my distress, he said, "My predecessor wasglasswork, and you, Red clover, areclay work!"

Oh... unlike my predecessor, I am indeed plain clay work... I felt down, but it turned out that, looks aside, he meant it as a compliment that my predecessor had aglass heart and was fragile, while I was flexible like clay.

These words gave me a glimpse of light, and for the first time, I gained confidence in my work.

I feel that the reason I have unintentionally communicated in a way that is natural—or, to put it bluntly, overly familiar (like the words from that British consultant)—regardless of nationality or position at every company, is based on my experience at this company. The fact that many of my clients were presidents of small and medium-sized enterprises also had an influence.

Are you interested in routine work or work that involves movement?

A question from an interview at a major general trading company where I worked as a temp (a company in Nagoya known as the 'city that never sleeps' due to the high amount of overtime).

Since I like new things, I immediately replied, "Work that involves movement." Thanks to that, I was able to learn the basics of the automotive industry in earnest for the first time and experience working with a local subsidiary in Thailand.

He was a wonderful supervisor who listened to my wishes even though I was a temp.

Unfortunately, I have no connection with any of the three of them since leaving, but I am grateful to them for building the foundation of how I think about work.

Looking back, I think I started working recklessly hard from my fourth company. (My chronic stiff shoulders started at this company!!) There are various reasons why I kept working hard, but that's a long story, so I'll reflect on it another time.