Surviving the VUCA Era: The 'Matching' of Companies and Job Seekers - An Interview with Matsui Securities

In today's intensified battle for talent, various companies are showing creativity in their efforts to secure top talent, and the financial sector is no exception. This time, we spoke with HR personnel from Matsui Securities, which has been successfully increasing its number of account openings, about the current state of 'matching' companies with job seekers.

Photo right:
Haruka Kanazawa |Deputy Head of HR and General Affairs at Matsui Securities Co., Ltd.
Joined Matsui Securities as a new graduate in 2013. After working in customer support and business development, she moved to HR and General Affairs in 2021. Currently, as a manager, she oversees three subordinates and contributes to recruitment activities and the creation of a self-learning and growing organization. Her favorite phrase is 'Many encounters, many destinies.'

Photo left:
Kana Fujii |Acting Head of HR and General Affairs at Matsui Securities Co., Ltd.
After working in administrative outsourcing and life insurance, she joined Matsui Securities mid-career in 2023. She has built her career around new graduate recruitment and training, and currently focuses on developing and proposing selection processes centered on mission, vision, and values, as well as systematizing training programs. Her favorite phrase is 'With energy, anything is possible.'

━━Please tell us about the current recruitment situation at Matsui Securities.

Haruka Kanazawa (hereafter, Kanazawa): We recruit about 10 new graduates and mid-career professionals each year. For the 2025 fiscal year, we have already reached our target number for new graduate hires, and about 80% of our mid-career hires, including those in the competitive IT sector, have been completed.

━━The IT sector is indeed a popular position. What kind of activities are students who apply for such positions typically involved in?

Kanazawa: Our new graduate recruitment does not have position-specific listings. After joining, we determine placements through new employee training and multiple interviews, taking into account the individual's wishes and aptitude. Not only science students but also arts students are often placed in the IT department and excel. We receive applications from individuals who have actually traded stocks and cryptocurrencies, and on the other hand, from students who had no prior involvement with investments but became interested in Matsui Securities through sponsoring e-sports tournaments or their YouTube video content. The diversity of activities students are involved in is expanding.

━━What kind of talent is Matsui Securities specifically looking for?

Kana Fujii (hereafter, Fujii): We are looking to work with individuals who resonate with our corporate slogan, 'Invest seriously, make it fun.' Specifically, we seek people who align with our defined principles of 'customer-first' and 'teamwork.' During interviews and interactions with students, we strive for interactive conversations to deepen mutual understanding between our company and the students.

━━From your perspective, have you encountered any interesting ideas from the recruits?

Kanazawa: During new employee training, there is a task to think about 'how to make investing more interesting,' and the idea that 'Matsui Securities should create a job-hunting app' emerged from this. It seems to stem from the notion that job-seeking students do various research on companies before applying, which has a synergy with investing. Whether it becomes a service we offer to customers is another matter, but the idea of an integrated investment and job-hunting app is innovative.

━━What are some common reasons people have for joining Matsui Securities?