Hideo Kojima’s Take on Job Interviews
Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind the Metal Gear series and the founder of Kojima Productions, recently opened up about his thoughts on job interviews, calling it a meeting ground for lies. In an essay featured in the Japanese magazine An An, Kojima shared his personal experiences with job hunting in the 80s and how it shaped his hiring approach for his own company.
The Power of Being Real
Starting out, Kojima faced obstacles due to his academic background and lack of connections. Despite his passion for a creative career, he felt compelled to play by the rules of the job market by concealing his true aspirations to match the companies’ expectations. However, everything changed during an interview with a medical equipment manufacturer when Kojima decided to be authentic about his creative interests. Surprisingly, the HR director not only supported him but also encouraged him to pursue a path in the creative industry, which ultimately led him to the gaming realm and landing a role at Konami in 1986.
Embracing Transparency
Reflecting on his journey, Kojima shed light on the prevalence of dishonesty in both candidates and interviewers during the selection process. He stressed the significance of transparency in interviews at his own company, valuing honesty with candidates even if their values might not completely align with the company’s. Drawing from his own experiences as an interviewer, Kojima aimed to offer constructive feedback and be genuine with candidates, mirroring the impact of the HR manager who played a pivotal role in his professional growth.
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