THE JAPAN NEWS



 

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, an increasing number of businesses are holding online social gatherings and training sessions for new employees scheduled to join the companies next spring.

Many job offers have been made through a solely online screening process this year, so a lot of incoming employees have yet to get a sense of a company’s atmosphere. Companies are therefore holding online gatherings in a bid to heighten new workers’ sense of belonging and avoid their turning down job offers.

“This is a chance to mingle with your peers, so please relax,” a recruiter for Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. said when a get-together for students who had been offered a job was held in late July.

Recruiters held up a can of beer in front of a computer screen in the office, and four students who were attending the event from their home joined in the toast.

The online get-together lasted about two hours. Even after the recruiters left, the students continued talking together in the latter half. Their food and drink expenses were to be reimbursed at a later date.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the company conducted all interviews online during this year’s recruiting process. Instead of giving prospective employees the opportunity to meet with recruiters in person or visit the company’s headquarters, the firm set up online social events and meetings with employees.

“For students, the deciding factors in choosing a company are the corporate culture and people. We hope students will deepen their understanding of the company by interacting with their seniors and peers,” said Haruki Fujiwara of Dai-ichi Life’s personnel department.

“I had expectations and anxiety, but now I’m looking forward to joining the company,” said Asuka Minami, 21, a senior at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Oita Prefecture after attending the online get-together.

Kokusai Motorcars Co., the nation’s major taxi company, held an online tour of its offices this month for those who had received a job offer. The drivers’ rest area and the maintenance garage were relayed live, and young employees answered questions from the proposed entrants.

“Until last year, we held cooking classes and ballgames to deepen our friendship with students who’d received job offers,” said Ken Shibata, head of the hiring section of the taxi firm. “This year, we want to find ways to prevent the number of people who decline job offers from increasing.”

Companies are putting great effort into following up with prospective new employees, as students are anxious.

According to a survey of university seniors conducted by Tokyo-based employment information company Mynavi Corp. in July, 36% of students who’d received job offers said the greatest relief came after they had a meeting with personnel section officials.

“Especially among students who are hired just through web interviews, there’s a tendency to ask for meetings and social gatherings,” a Mynavi researcher said.

Recruitment consultant Masanao Tanide said: “To prevent students from declining job offers, companies need to alleviate [students’] anxiety by following up with them. This year, students are looking for more practical information, and it’s important to not just hold meetings online, but to also hold events in which they can be actively involved.”Speech