Global Journey Diary vol.9 - Honoka Sakurai

Hi everyone,

Until the end of November, I was studying abroad in Western Australia.

This is a personal news but I've finished my job hunting successfully. So lately I've been thinking about how to use my remaining time effectively. I'm so excited about starting a new part-time job, volunteering, and traveling abroad.

Now, since this is relevant, I'd like to think about how I want to work hard in the future after my study abroad experience.

For those who are thinking about using their study abroad experience to advance their job search, this might be a hint. Please feel free to use it as a reference.

I've decided to work in sales at a securities company starting next year.

In a securities company, basically, I'll be doing a job where I persuade clients to buy or sell valuable things like stocks by saying like, "This would be valuable for you, how about it?"

It might seem like there's no connection between someone who studied abroad in Australia and working in a securities company, but that's not true. It's because of my experiences during my study abroad that I ultimately chose this industry and this occupation.

So why sales at a securities company?

First, let me tell you why I chose the sales position.

Crossroad of people and ducks at ECU campus. 

Why Sales?: Because I Got Interested in Communication

Through studying abroad, I became very interested in communication in general, like how to interact with people and how to choose words.

This is because I wasn't good at communicating in English.

For example, imagine that I would like to chat with a classmate.

In Japan, I could start talking by saying something like, "Hey, so..." and gradually get to know each other by chatting about class or hobbies.

But it didn't work the same way abroad.

First, I didn't know what to say to start a conversation. Even if I had something to ask, it took me a while to figure out how to express it in English. There were many times when I couldn't express myself because of a lack of knowledge about English expression. Also, I often couldn't catch or understand the other person's English. As a result, there were awkward pauses in the conversation, and we both felt a bit uncomfortable.

Gradually, I started wondering, "What should I talk about next?" "Hmm, how did I make friends in Japan?"

Not being able to express myself due to my English skills was also one of the reasons, but more than that, I realized how low my communication skills were.

This experience made me wonder how people with high communication skills build relationships.

Good communication skills are necessary not only for making friends in everyday life. They're also crucial in the business world for building good relationships with various people.

I believe this skill can be developed to some extent in any occupation, but I think it's especially important in sales positions to use it as a strength and constantly improve it.

That's why I decided to focus on finding a job in sales.

Huge ironbark in Australia

Why the Securities Industry? :Because I was Interested in Finance-related Business Subjects.

Even though sales jobs are needed in any industry, why did I choose the securities industry? It's because I was interested in business subjects related to money matters.

In fact, I liked economics, which I studied from my first year, and accounting, which I studied in my second year.

Even during my study abroad in Australia, I took business classes focusing on accounting.

Also, when I returned from studying abroad, I often heard about investments like the new NISA.

It seems that buying and selling specific financial products like stocks can only be done through securities companies. So, I thought there might be increasing demand for securities companies in the future.

That's why I decided to look for a job in the securities industry.

By the way, in a securities company, sales are influenced more by the charm and value of the salesperson rather than the quality of the product.

After talking with clients a few times and becoming friendly, they often say something like, "If you recommend it, I'll give it a try," and they end up buying the stocks you suggested.

In other words, the personal charm that makes clients think, "I can trust this person," or "This person is interesting. I want to continue our relationship," greatly affects the buying and selling of products.

Therefore, continuous self-improvement, including high communication skills, is required for securities salespeople.

During my study abroad, I often challenged myself by, for example, participating in class discussions, talking to various people even when it was embarrassing, and volunteering to grow as a person.

For someone like me who is eager for self-growth, I thought this would be the perfect job. That's why I decided to work in sales at a securities company.

Cafe in Austraila is definitely one of my fav places :)

Will I not Use English in the Future?

At first glance, it seems like you wouldn't need English at a securities company.

Actually, sometimes you might see signs for securities companies like "XYZ Securities" near train stations, but the business conducted at such branches mainly involves recommending the buying and selling of securities to individual Japanese clients, which is called "retail sales." In retail sales, there are almost no opportunities to use English.

However, for tasks other than retail sales, it seems that the image of "not using English" is a bit different.

For example, organizations like countries, local governments, and large corporations also buy and sell securities. Departments that provide advice to such organizations are called "wholesale departments."

In the wholesale department, they deal with overseas clients in addition to Japanese clients. Therefore, when dealing with overseas clients, sales are conducted in English.

Since large amounts of money are involved, the clients in wholesale department are professionals who are well versed in investments. Dealing with such clients requires a high level of knowledge and liberal arts. Moreover, when dealing with overseas clients, communication is done in English.

Isn't that pretty cool?

As a English learner, I also have a desire to work using English whenever I have the opportunity. Therefore, I'm considering getting involved in wholesale business like this someday.

However, it's undeniable that very advanced English skills are required for this. Do I have such high English skills? To confidently answer YES to that question, I feel like I still have to continue studying. Therefore, continuing to study English is still one of my tasks.

That's It!

How was it?

Actually, I originally thought, "I definitely don't want to do sales, it seems really tough."

However, when I reconsidered my experiences, including my study abroad, and my actions, I began to think that a sales job might be where my interests and aptitudes lie.

In this regard as well, my study abroad experience has had a significant impact on my life.

I will continue to cherish the essence of myself that I discovered through studying abroad and move forward positively.

Australia has lots of unbelieveably beautiful oceans… I will be back there again