How is your previous experience being utilized, and what were your impressions after joining? Mid-career Employee Dialogue | Why I Joined SUNNY SIDE UP Vol. 7
“Why I Joined SUNNY SIDE UP” is a serial column that takes a deep dive into each member’s reasons for joining the company and the work they are currently handling. For this 7th installment, we spoke with two members in a dialogue format: Suda, who changed careers from an advertising agency, and Takano, who moved from another PR firm.
Click here for past installments of “Why I Joined SUNNY SIDE UP”!
【Member Introduction】
Public Relations Business Division, Department 3 (Sports): Shunsuke Takano
Public Relations Business Division, Department 1: Ikumi Suda
■ Career History and Reasons for Joining SUNNY SIDE UP
Suda: Before joining, I was in charge of new graduate recruitment and public relations at an advertising agency. My main duties included giving presentations at student events, conducting student interviews, and creating internal newsletters. While handling recruitment and seeing so many hardworking job hunters, I began to feel strongly about how admirable it is to take on new challenges. As I worked, I realized that my true passion wasn’t in HR, and partly inspired by the students, I decided to change jobs and challenge myself with something new.
I really enjoyed talking to people within the company when creating the internal newsletter, and I also liked writing press releases. I learned about SUNNY SIDE UP through a recruitment agent as a company where I could utilize my experience while doing something new. When I looked into SUNNY SIDE UP, I felt it was an open and straightforward company, and I decided to join because I wanted to take on new challenges here. I believe I was hired more for my potential than for my specific skills at the time.
Takano: I was also at a PR firm in my previous job, but I moved to SUNNY SIDE UP because it handles a wide range of projects and I wanted to be involved in the sports business. My decision to join was sparked in 2016, just as a project I was involved in at my previous job reached a milestone, and because it had been decided that the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Olympics would be held in Japan, and I really wanted to be a part of those events.
■ Current Responsibilities
Suda: Currently, I am in charge of projects for confectionery manufacturers, commercial facilities, and hotels. In my case, rather than one-off events or press conferences, I have many clients that I handle throughout the year, and there are some projects I have been in charge of ever since I joined the company.
Takano: While I do have sports-related projects, I am involved in a wide range of work, including restaurant chains, hotels, and corporate PR for general companies. Because there is such a diverse variety of industries, I am able to work with a constant sense of freshness.
Suda: Even with projects I’ve handled for a long time, the tenants in commercial facilities change, and the products being featured change with each season, so there are always new discoveries to be made.
■ Aspects of Previous Experience Utilized in Current Work
Suda: My previous company was relatively small, so during corporate events, I would proactively speak up to attract visitors or approach students myself. Now, as a media promoter, I sometimes have to stand in front of people or speak loudly when guiding the media at events, and since I have no resistance to doing that, I feel my previous experience is really being put to good use.
Takano: Since my previous job was also at a PR firm, I had an intuitive understanding of the general workflow even immediately after joining the company. However, SUNNY SIDE UP has a wider variety of genres and PR methods, so I have actually learned more new things than not.
■ Impressions of SUNNY SIDE UP After Joining
Suda: Immediately after joining, I felt that it was a casual and transparent company.
Takano: My first impression was also that it was very casual. At my previous job, suits and leather shoes were the standard, so I was surprised to see people coming to work in whatever clothes they liked (laughs). There are also many friendly people. Everyone proactively strikes up conversations, which makes it a very easy environment to work in.
Suda: I agree. My department has many people with extensive PR experience, so I can easily consult with them when I face difficulties or challenges, and they are always helpful. There are many serious-minded people who want to work together as a team.
Takano: I was born in 1988, and before the COVID-19 pandemic, we used to hold drinking sessions for members born in 1988 called the “’88 Club.” Having those kinds of connections that transcend departmental boundaries made me grateful that I could quickly become friends with various people, even as a mid-career hire.
Suda: I changed jobs in my second year of working, but because there were many people close to my age around me, I was glad I could fit in right away.
■ Message to Those Seeking a Career at SUNNY SIDE UP
Suda: I had imagined mid-career interviews to have a formal atmosphere like university job hunting, but I felt it’s better to approach them without being too stiff. If you try to put on an act, they’ll see right through it, so I think it’s better to focus on showing your true self. I clearly remember being casually asked, “What have you been watching on Netflix lately?” during my interview. I believe SUNNY SIDE UP’s interviews look closely at your personality, not just your background and skills, so it’s best to present yourself as you are.
Takano: I agree with Ms. Suda; I feel that mid-career recruitment at SUNNY SIDE UP focuses more on personality than on career history or educational background. SUNNY SIDE UP is a place where people who can act on their own initiative can thrive, so I hope to see motivated people join who can ask questions and go after projects themselves.
Suda: Especially for mid-career hires, expectations for being an immediate asset are high (laughs). However, if you ask your seniors questions, they will teach you very thoroughly, so it’s good to work with an attitude of constantly seeking knowledge. Please, come and work with us at SUNNY SIDE UP!
We hope you enjoyed this interview with mid-career members from different backgrounds. No matter the industry or occupation, if you approach the work in front of you with sincerity, your experience will surely shine at SUNNY SIDE UP!
To everyone considering applying, please tell us about the things you have tackled with passion and what you want to do in the future! We look forward to hearing your stories.
