ladyruffles (ladyruffles) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2015-04-12 21:00:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, asami sato, josephine montilyet |
Who: Josephine Montilyet and Asami Sato
When: Backdated: Monday, April 6th. Afternoon
Where: Sato Electric
What: An Interview
Rating/Warnings: Family friendly
Status: Complete
Sato Electric was in flux. With her father’s trial almost over, and all the bad press surrounding it, it was all Asami could do to keep things afloat. While she had dream experience in saving her company, it didn’t always translate to the real world. She knew the way forward, though, and had managed to convince the board to cut her father loose. No golden parachute, no more influence, save for a few die hards that would be losing their jobs in the next month.
The name change was the easiest idea but also one of the hardest to implement. She had a speech planned, but honestly she knew she needed someone who was trained in public relations. Asami had a smile that worked wonders for the cameras and an attitude that meant she didn’t shy away from the public, but she was barely old enough to drink and she knew how that looked to the outside world.
So… she needed help. Interviewing prospective people to take on the role she needed. Most of them so far either weren’t that good, or had the wrong image, so she spent a lot of time doodling future industries logos, trying to find one that felt modern but also reminded her of her company in the dreams, while her prospective employees repeatedly talked themselves out of a job.
On top of that, her mind kept going to Korra. She was worried sick over her girlfriend, but it was proving next to impossible to balance taking care of her, taking care of her company, and taking care of herself. At least Korra was a text away (and had practically shoved her out the door). Asami had eventually relented and hired a nurse. She still felt guilty about that.
At least her make-up game was on point and her hair was perfect as always.
Josephine had just moved to Orange County, partly wanting a change of scenery, but also because she’d heard about Sato Electric and the changes they were in the process of going through and she thought that she would be a good fit for the company. Of course what she thought and what they thought were two different things, but she was confident that she would nail this. After getting the interview, Josephine had spent quite some time picking out the perfect interview outfit so when she walked into the building, she was dressed in a knee length pencil skirt with a blouse and blazer that was all work appropriate. There were two sides to Josephine’s closet; work appropriate and party appropriate and while they sometimes mixed, she needed to make a good impression on this interview.
Stepping up to the receptionist, she smiled brightly at her, “Josephine Montilyet. I’m here to interview for the Human Resources position.”
The woman nodded, gesturing down the hallway. “It’s the office at the end of the hallway, you can’t miss the view.”
Asami looked up when Josephine stepped inside her office, and smiled at her. First impressions helped, and Josephine looked good. “Have a seat, Ms. Montilyet.” The name was fun to say. She hoped she looked older and more professional than she felt.
The office was easy to find and Josephine smiled as she took the seat across from the other woman. So many people mispronounced her name that it was always nice when someone got it right. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Sato.” Professionalism was always at the forefront of Josephine’s mind when she went on interviews or was working in general and now was no different. “Thank you for granting me this interview.” As she spoke she reached into her bag for a copy of her resume just in case Asami didn’t have the one she’d sent along ahead of time.
Asami took the resume, though she didn’t look at it. She’d been over all the resumes and the people she’d accepted interviews with had had the ones she’d liked the most. Admittedly, she tended to favor hiring women, especially in the more techy parts of her company. It was very important to her to endorse women in STEM fields. Maybe a bit biased, but she didn’t hire anyone she didn’t think was good for the position. At least that was what she was planning on doing now that she was in control.
“It’s not a problem. Why don’t we start by telling me a little about yourself?”
Josephine sat up a little straighter and crossed her legs at the ankles and started telling Asami a little about her life, growing up in different countries as a result of her parents being diplomats as well as her school career and what had led her to choose to major in Human Resources Management. “I’ve only been out here for a little less than a year, but when I heard that Sato Electric was changing, I thought that I might be the right fit for it.”
“We’re going to be transitioning to a new name and some additional focus. While cars will always be a major part of the business, to survive we need to expand into other technologies. I also believe we need to have a hand in planning infrastructure around a lot of these technologies. If we expect the electric car to mostly replace gas powered vehicles, we need a road system designed around them.” Asami leaned forward, clasping her hands together. “And working our image through the changes and after would be your job, if you were hired.”
“I think that’s an exceptional idea. Thinking about the long term is definitely what you want to do if you want the company to expand,” One of the things that had drawn Josephine to Sato Electric was the fact that they were planning a big change as well as the fact that a woman was running the company now. Josephine definitely wanted to represent a company run by a strong woman.
A woman who was probably a few years younger than Josephine, but Asami wasn’t about to point that out. She actually hoped Josephine would - age was another factor she knew she’d have to address moving forward. Age, her dating a woman, her father being in jail. All of these things were things she knew the media and detractors would hound on, and she honestly had no idea how to deal with it here. She’d needed help in the dreams too, but unfortunately Rin wasn’t exactly around.
“Precisely. And if we can shake the negativity surrounding my father’s actions.”
Josephine had no problem working for someone younger than her. Some people had qualms about that, but as far as Josephine was concerned, if someone was good at what they did then their age shouldn’t make a difference. Nor would she care that Asami was dating a woman. After all, Josephine had dated a few women herself.
“I’m sure people will be wary at first, but once they see the positive things you’re doing, they’ll view you as you and not as your father.” While doing her research on Sato Electric, Josephine had read all about what was going on with Asami’s father.
“That’s what I’m worried about. That they’ll see the Sato name and dismiss it. It might almost be worse than how young I am.” Sato was the first or second most common last name in Japan, but not as common in the United States.
“It’ll take time, but you just have to show them what you can do.” Josephine hoped she wasn’t being too forward, but at the same time sometimes interviewees liked the little forwardness in an applicant and she hoped that Asami was one of those.
A smile tugged at Asami’s lips. She liked Josephine and the woman was the first interview she’d had all day where she felt like the person was good for her company. “Distance myself from my father and show that I’m here to stay, right?” She kept her expression neutral, but she was already about 97% certain she wanted Josephine.
Josephine mirrored Asami’s smile and nodded, “Exactly. They’ll see that what you’re doing is ten times what your father did and Sato will be back on top before you know it.” Josephine obviously couldn’t read minds, but she felt that this interview was going well so far and any nerves she might have felt before coming in were gone by now.
“You certainly have a way with words.” Asami tapped her finger on the desk. Now came an important question. “Do you see yourself in for the long term?”
Josephine nodded, “Absolutely. I would want to stick around and see the transformation of Sato to what it’s destined to be. I would want to be there every step of the way and beyond.” Josephine wasn’t the type to get a job and leave after a couple of months. She’d been at her current job for awhile now and the only reason she would be leaving was if she were hired for Sato.
“One last question,” Asami said, leaning back in her chair. “What do you think of the name Future Industries?”
“I think it’s perfect.” Josephine smiled, “It tells everyone exactly what you’re doing. Making the future better.”
“Thank you. I think so too.” Asami got to her feet. “I think our time is up. You’ll receive a call in the next few days on if you’ve been accepted or not.”
Still smiling, Josephine gathered her things and got to her feet, extending a hand to Asami, “Thank you so much, Miss. Sato. It was a pleasure to meet you and hopefully we’ll be seeing each other again soon.” With that, Josephine turned to head out, confidant that the interview had gone well.