Hi, my name is Wallez Mathieu and I’m from France. I graduated from the University of Bordeaux-Montaigne in May 2021 with a bachelor's degree in International trade and applied foreign languages. Soon after graduating, I moved to Japan and began studying at a Japanese language school in Tokyo. During that time, I began my internship at Carpaydiem in November 2022 and was later hired as a full-time employee in March 2023.

I wanted to work in Japan ever since I was young, and it was largely due to my grandfather’s influence. My grandfather was a sailor for an international trading company and often bought me souvenirs from Japan. These souvenirs brought me a lot of joy, which eventually led to my interest in learning more about Japan. While I was studying Japanese at university, I discovered anime and manga, and it strengthened my desire to work and live in Japan.

My hobbies include drawing and animated films. I enjoy looking at sketches and drawings by my favorite artists, and I would like to learn how to draw in the future.

At Bordeaux-Montaigne University, I majored in both International Trade and Applied Foreign Languages. In Applied Foreign Languages, I studied Japanese and English, spending the majority of my time studying Japanese. After classes, I attended international exchange parties where we practiced and taught each other our respective languages: we taught French to the Japanese students while they taught Japanese to us. As a result, I was able to obtain N3 by the time I graduated.

While learning Japanese, I had a really hard time with kanji and keigo (honorific speech). Studying at the university was not enough, so at home, I would practice over and over again by watching a YouTube channel called "日本語の森” (Japanese Language Forest). If anyone is interested in learning Japanese, I would highly recommend watching 日本語の森’s YouTube channel!

If you want to work in Japan, it is important to obtain a JLPT certification - a minimum N2 level is required for many companies. It is also recommended that you prepare your resume and CV while you are still in school. Even if you are not in Japan, you can find a variety of templates on the Internet. You will also need a suit for job hunting, so I recommend that you purchase one.

Once you have prepared your resume and CV, check out job sites such as Indeed, GaijinPot, and JPort Match. If you find a job that you like, I encourage you to apply for it.

It is also important to understand Japanese business manners and corporate culture before you start looking for a job. In this regard, I recommend JPort, as it contains multiple testimonials from new graduates and foreign nationals who are working in Japan. 

Finally, for choosing a company, you should be researching whether the company will support you in obtaining a visa. A working visa is essential for living in Japan for a long time, but the procedure to obtain one is very difficult. In my case, Carpaydiem. worked with lawyers and administrative clerks to help me obtain a visa, so I did not have to go through the process alone. If you are considering working in Japan, you should see if your company can help you obtain a visa.

What kind of person is a good fit at Carpaydiem?

The type of person who is a good fit for Carpaydiem is someone who can speak multiple languages, doesn't give up even when times are tough, and can adapt to changes. On the other hand, I feel that people who get easily stressed when faced with challenges and pressure are not a good fit. 

Personally, I am the type of person who grows under pressure, so I recommend Carpaydiem to those who want to have continuous upward growth.

What work are you currently doing?

I am working as a Marketing Assistant at Carpaydiem. My mission is to increase new customers through SNS and advertising. Many of our target customers are overseas, especially companies in Africa. Therefore, we mostly create newsletters in English and blog content for our website.

When creating content, I search for keywords in Google Ads and test out which keywords will reach our target customers. For example, I am constantly experimenting with Facebook ads to see what kind of campaign I can launch to reach consumers, such as “Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free gift!”

I also respond to customer inquiries and help other departments. For example, I support the Merchandising Team by updating the database that manages inventory, and I also assist the Sales Team in their tasks. Since we are a venture company with a small number of employees, we have an environment where we are allowed to try new tasks if we want to.

Have you experienced difficulties working?

There are moments when I find it difficult to express my opinions or propose ideas to team members. All Carpaydiem employees have the idea of "Let's grow this company together," which also inspires me to think "What can I do for the company?" 

In marketing, you need to keep challenging yourself to find out what method of advertising will produce results. It’s tough to constantly step out of my comfort zone and keep challenging myself, but I feel like that is how I will continue growing.

Why did you choose Carpaydiem?

I first learned about Carpaydiem when I was job hunting. I searched for the keyword "hiring foreigners" on a job site, and Carpaydiem appeared at the top of the list. I was intrigued by how sincere they were in hiring foreigners and how they offered positions in Marketing and Sales, so I decided to apply.

What surprised me when I joined the company was the sheer number of English speakers. Including both Japanese and foreign nationals, 70% of all employees can speak English. After I joined the company, senior employees would guide me in my work, but since they could speak English, it was really helpful. 

Also, everyone is super friendly. I can ask about any questions I have, and the managers usually give me great advice and feedback.