Hello, my name is AYE CHAN KO. My parents are from Myanmar, and I was born there, but I grew up in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where I attended elementary, junior high, and high school. For university I moved to Kanagawa Prefecture to study in the Faculty of Foreign Languages, majoring in English Language and Literature at Kanagawa University. I graduated in 2023 and joined Orico. I'm now in my second year at the company.

Currently, I work at one of Orico's corporate sales branches, where I mainly handle customer interactions. My goal is to build trust with clients by providing them with the information and support they need, ensuring we offer the best possible service. Each day presents new challenges, and finding ways to resolve them is what makes my job rewarding.

At home, I communicate with my parents in both Japanese and Burmese, but Japanese feels most natural to me. Having grown up in Japan, I'm deeply familiar with and connected to Japanese culture. At the same time, I value my Burmese heritage and take pride in my roots.

In university, I majored in English Language and Literature, where I delved into the literature and cultures of the UK and the US. Classes often involved lively discussions on British classics or films, and we sometimes performed scenes ourselves, making the learning experience very hands-on. Studying American literature - particularly works from the era of slavery - gave me a deeper understanding of American history, which I don’t usually encounter in everyday life. One work that stood out to me the most was the English literature: The Fall of the House of Usher. As someone who has loved reading since elementary school, this piece left a strong impression on me.

In my first year, I was a manager for the university soccer club, where my goal was to have fun and enjoy my college years. Although I was mostly just watching the matches, I had a lot of fun spending time with my clubmates. Unfortunately, club activities were put on hold during my second year due to COVID-19, and I eventually left the club.

Instead, I began working part-time jobs, in both the food service and apparel industries. In particular, the customer-facing style at the restaurant gave me plenty of opportunities to converse with people, which helped me develop my communication skills. At the time, I hadn’t found any particular hobbies, so I threw myself into work, which made my days more fulfilling. Looking back, I believe these experiences significantly enhanced the interpersonal skills I now use in my current job.

I began seriously job hunting during the winter of my third year of university, once COVID-19 had settled down to some extent. My first move was participating in 1–2-day internships to explore different industries and companies.

I believe it’s important to look at companies from a broad perspective rather than fixating on a specific role. Without narrowing down my options too early, I listed companies that interested me, researched their industries, and sought advice from upperclassmen. Internships were especially helpful for experiencing a company’s atmosphere firsthand, which made it easier to identify workplaces that suited me. For me, the ideal company is one where young employees are given opportunities to thrive, share their opinions openly, and contribute meaningfully.

One challenge I faced during my job search was the SPI and web-based aptitude tests. As I’m not strong in math, even basic questions took me a long time to solve, so test preparation was a struggle. To overcome this, I purchased practice textbooks and repeatedly worked through the practice problems to get used to them. I believe that building confidence through small, consistent efforts is key.

During my university years, I didn’t focus much on obtaining certifications, but looking back, I wish I had. Recently, I got the Level 2 Financial Planner certification on my own, which deepened my knowledge of the financial industry and was relevant to my current role. Having well-known certifications in Japan can be a significant asset for job hunting and career development.

In addition to qualifications, I believe communication skills are crucial for working in Japanese companies. Effective interpersonal skills are essential across industries, especially for daily tasks and client interactions. Building relationships and strong communication are just as important as technical knowledge.

At Orico, I am responsible for corporate sales, primarily proposing credit loan services to partner retailers such as shopping and home improvement stores. My role involves clearly conveying the strengths and benefits of our products and services compared to competitors. Understanding customer needs and coming up with new proposal strategies is also a key part of my work.

Daily Schedule

• 9:20: Arrive at work and check emails.

• 10:00: Attend the team morning meeting to organize the day’s tasks.

• 10:30: Handle administrative tasks, such as preparing documents.

• 13:00: Visit stores to conduct sales activities (planned).

• 17:00: Return to the office, record sales activities, and respond to requests from partner stores.

• 19:30: End of workday.

Challenges and Rewards
It’s not easy to differentiate our services and convince clients of the value compared to our competitors. However, when I successfully persuade a client to switch to our services, the sense of accomplishment is incredibly rewarding. Knowing my proposals are acknowledged and convincing makes the job fulfilling.

Training and Growth
After joining Orico, I underwent a six-month rotational training program across five departments including corporate sales, credit assessment, and debt management. This experience helped me learn the various aspects of Orico’s operations, which is now vital to my current role. Following the training, I gradually took on responsibilities by supporting senior colleagues and have since grown to the point where I create my own proposals.

Why Orico?
During my job hunting process, I attended several company information sessions, but Orico’s stood out to me. Orico’s session was interactive, unlike other companies, asking questions like, “What would you do in this situation?” It allowed me to envision myself working there. I also felt that Orico provided a great environment for young employees to thrive and share their ideas, which convinced me to join.

Workplace Culture
Orico provides a stable and supportive environment typical of large corporations. The company’s steady performance and comprehensive benefits make it a secure place to work long-term.
I also appreciate the supportive culture. Whenever I faced challenges, my seniors and managers were always there to help. This culture of mutual support is one of the reasons I’m committed to continuing my career here.

Who Thrives at Orico?

Ideal Fit: Individuals skilled at building and maintaining relationships would excel here. Sales at Orico is primarily route-based, focusing on long-term partnerships with existing clients. Success comes from understanding client needs, communicating effectively, and earning trust. Those who value meaningful connections and steady progress will thrive.

Potential Mismatch: On the other hand, those who prioritize fast-paced success or quick decision-making may find Orico’s culture challenging. The financial industry is heavily regulated, and implementing new ideas often requires navigating multiple processes and restrictions. Those who prefer a dynamic, startup-like environment may be better suited elsewhere.