Attitude matters. That is the message that Canon, the world's leading optical company, sends to those who are interested in working for it.

"Attitude decides everything," said Huang Song, deputy-director of the Human Resource Department of Canon (China) Co Ltd.

"Good attitude is a prerequisite. We have no special requirement for an applicant's education level, gender or age."

Huang made the remarks last week while explaining their plans to recruit 100 new employees by the end of this year.

The company is expanding its marketing network in China rapidly and expects to set up a dozen branches in the country by the end of the year.

So, "we need a lot of talented people," Huang said, "especially someone good at marketing and personnel training."

But, first of all, he emphasized, they want "good attitude."

Canon has high employee standards, Huang said, the most important of them being someone with commitment, professionalism, teamwork spirit and strong will.

That's what they mean by good attitude.

These qualities make employees work hard, and that usually means success.

Huang went on to explain: "If a salesperson has a good attitude, he can easily make friends with others to win their trust. With high market sensitivity, good communication skills and strong will he can easily succeed."

He says the company also does its best to help employees succeed and sums up the corporate philosophy with the Japanese word "kyosei", or co-existence, meaning working and living together for the common interest.

Canon (China) is trying to create an easy atmosphere where employees "enjoy their work," he said.

Canon (China) has about 450 employees. Its plan is to have 550 by the end of the year and 1,000 by the end of 2005.

"Of course we prefer people with related majors or specialities but, as long as they're qualified, school background is not the most important criterion."

Canon is of course looking for university grads, he added, noting that his best advice was "improve your English," which is their working language.

He also had a word of advice about career plans: "Don't reach for what is beyond your grasp."

In short: "If you are a recent university graduate, young and energetic, you'd better spend 3-5 years on study and work."

(China Daily November 6, 2003)