INTERVIEW 03
Technical Support
A company that takes the time to nurture
its employees and turn their
experience into ability.
R.K
(2017年入社)
PROFILE
Being such a music lover that I once aspired to work in the music industry, I still attend live concerts on weekends and look forward to festivals like Fuji Rock, which is held every year.
01
Enjoying being involved in both sales and technology.
I majored in mechanical engineering at university and was searching for a job where I could utilize my studies when I discovered our company and was drawn to the sales engineering position. My interest in making proposals to customers and developing sales strategies, combined with my part-time work experience in the restaurant and retail industries as a student, led me to this field. I joined the company because I wanted to engage in work that combined both the scientific and technological knowledge I had studied with the sales aspect of the business.
Currently, I am primarily responsible for equipment sales in the Sales Engineering Group. This unit supports specialized equipment-related tasks that the sales section cannot handle on its own. Depending on the project, we may also visit customers directly from the outset.
As the department located only at the head office, the Sales Engineering Group frequently travels to customers in Japan and abroad as needed, in cooperation with each sales office. Our company’s unique strength lies in us being a trading company with a dedicated technical department. I am highly motivated by the opportunity to be involved in this dynamic and integrated business.
02
The experience I have gained from my seniors gives me strength.
In this role, I am conscious of the need to accurately understand the perspectives of both customers and suppliers, and to coordinate them without bias, ensuring that we stay focused on what needs to be done from our standpoint.
The term “coordination” might seem a bit daunting at first. To help you get started, you’ll undergo one month of training upon joining the company. This training will cover actual work tasks, product knowledge, and include a plant tour, after which you will be assigned to your respective department. Then, you will begin on-the-job training. Since experience is just as important as knowledge in this role, you will work closely with your seniors and supervisors to complete projects. It will take about two years at the earliest for you to learn from your seniors, study on your own, and be entrusted with simpler projects. As you build stronger relationships with customers, you will notice that the scope of your work gradually expands. It is generally said that becoming a fully-fledged employee takes about five to six years of experience. I myself would like to become a full-fledged employee as soon as possible. At the same time, I feel that this is a company that truly values its employees by investing considerable time and effort in nurturing us.
03
My goal is to independently complete a whole project.
I participate in large equipment installation projects from the outset. After numerous meetings and the creation of detailed drawings, the product is completed and installed in the plant. Given the involvement of many people, there are naturally a variety of opinions. Coordinating these opinions while ensuring that the project is finished on time and within budget is challenging, but also highly rewarding.
As I’m only in my third year, I initially struggled with situations I faced for the first time. However, by emulating the methods of my seniors, I gradually started to find my own approach. No matter how many compelling arguments you present, convincing customers can still be a challenge. When making a request, it’s crucial to be reasonable and focus on the key points. I believe that maintaining effective communication daily, delegating tasks appropriately, and ensuring mutual understanding are essential for a smooth process.
My current goal is to independently complete a project from start to finish. I aim to grasp the overall situation, understand the management aspects of the project, and coordinate it more smoothly.
1DAY SCHEDULE
8:45
Arrive at the sales office.
Confirm the flow of sales activities for the day.
10:00
Visit customers.
Accompany a sales representative on their usual sales activities, focusing on the person in charge of equipment project inquiries.
12:00
Lunch break. Lunch at a local restaurant with the sales representative I am accompanying.
13:00
Visit customers.
Continue with sales activities.
16:00
Return to the sales office. Wrap up the day’s activities.
17:00
Meeting. Adjust the schedule for future visits and strategize on handling inquiries with the sales representative.
After that, handle any remaining work before leaving the office.
