A workplace where you can grow and feel excited.

Q.Please tell us why you decided to join BEAMS.

A.When I started job hunting, I honestly thought, "I don't really want to work" (laughs). I wanted to work for a company where I could go home on time and maintain a work-life balance, so I applied for general administrative positions. However, I've loved clothes since I was little, and I had fond memories of often visiting BEAMS stores when I went shopping with my family, so I applied to BEAMS, the only apparel company I could find. During my first interview, I was so happy because it was so different from other companies, that I immediately thought, "I definitely want to work for this company!"

Q.What did you talk about in the interview?

A.To begin with, the application form was unique in that it had a "free-form writing section" where you could freely express your charms, so I remember that even just filling it out was fun, unlike other companies. The application form allowed me to draw out and write down all the things I like, and it helped me to recognize once again how hard I'm working. Based on that, during the interview, they asked me a lot of personal questions about me, such as what I like, fashion, hobbies, and my love of surprises. Before the second interview, I had a mock interview at school and also read the application form carefully to prepare so I would be prepared for any question. They continued to draw out a lot of stories from the second interview onwards, so I didn't have to make myself look good and I was able to speak honestly, which may have been a good thing.

Q.Please tell us about your current job and what you value most about it.

A.I work as a sales staff member at BEAMS Yokohama East Exit. The most important thing for me is to smile. I want to be a staff member who is easy to communicate their needs to, who can think things through together with my coworkers, and who can gain their trust, so I always try to remember to smile.

Q.When do you feel a sense of accomplishment at work?

A.I work surrounded by clothes I love, so that alone is fun, but it makes me really happy when my customers are pleased with what I've done. Basically, when I ask a customer about their preferences and suggest a styling, I've decided to "add three extra items." Two are things that I think will suit them based on their preferences, and the other is something I've chosen that I'm sure will look good on them. When they try on each item and happily purchase the one I suggested, saying that they've "discovered a new side of themselves," I feel glad that I was able to be of help.

Q.What makes it "BEAMS-like"?

A.The atmosphere here is so friendly that it makes you wonder if this is really a company. It's a little different from the negative image of "work" that I had when I was a student, and even though it's busy, I never feel like it's tough. Of course, there are times when I feel tired, but we all have relationships where we can casually go out for drinks and say "thank you for your hard work," so we can end the day thinking, "Today was another fun day." I think that's a really good company culture.

Q.What kind of fashion do you usually wear to work?

A.For me, there is no distinction between work and private wear; I choose my clothes based on whether they make me excited when I wear them. I choose my clothes every morning based on my mood that day, so my style is completely different every day, but looking my best in cute clothes is what motivates me to work. Recently, I often wear one unique item, like red fishnet tights or sequined shorts, as a way to show off to people I meet on the train that I work in an apparel store (lol).

Q.What are some essential items you need at work?

A.I recently watched the anime "HUNTER x HUNTER" and became interested in the IC card case, which I love. When I touch it to the automatic ticket gate, it catches the radio waves and lights up, making me think, "Let's do our best today too!" I love the cypress-scented hand cream from LE LABO. My card case is from COXCOMB, a brand created by Tony Crosby. I bought it when they had a pop-up at BEAMS and I carry it with me every day.

Q.What are you into lately?

A.During my university years during the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to find a hobby, so I started knitting and have been making flowers and other miscellaneous items. I'm addicted not only to the joy of creating but also to the sense of accomplishment of creating something cuter than I imagined, so I still knit whenever I have free time. One of the great things about knitting is that time flies by and I can empty myself out. I'm always thinking about something, so perhaps knitting is a way for me to reset. I'd like to open a florist selling yarn flowers at a flea market one day!

Q.Is there anything you love that has never changed?

A.Thanks to my mother's influence, I've loved SMAP since I was little, and I have a lot of merchandise. Even now, I always watch their live performances on DVD at least once a week, usually before I go to bed. SMAP's songs have always supported me, whether I want to boost my motivation at work, feel down, or have fun. It's a shame that I can't see their current activities, but I can check out their old videos and articles, so I'll always love them and support them forever.

Q.What are your future goals?

A.It's been a little over a year since I joined the company, and I'm the one who's most surprised by the changes I've seen in myself. When I was a student, I just didn't want to work (laughs) and was always thinking about how to make things easier for myself. But now I've developed a sense of responsibility for my work and am thinking about how to improve our stores. I think that's because I truly enjoy my work every day. I set goals for myself every six months, and since these are for personal growth rather than sales, I'm constantly excited and have started to think about what I can do as a member of this company. Right now, I don't have a concrete image of where I want to be in five years, but I hope to do my best with what I can do now and gradually increase the resolution of my goals as I go along.

Q.Finally, please give us a message for those who are aiming to join BEAMS!

A.I want to work with people who love clothes, are sensitive to trends, and enjoy fashion. Since joining the company, not only has my inner self changed, but my fashion sense has also changed completely. Wearing different clothes allows you to discover a new side of yourself, and sharing that experience with customers can also lead to improved customer service. I think this is a company that is truly suited to people who can enjoy doing such things. Once you join the company, you'll be excited!