I’m currently at the Shinjuku office. This is Mamiya from the Tokyo Unit, answering your questions.
A completely white background with plants and a white-based design
→ Unfortunately, almost all of our offices nationwide have a very similar image and concept.
Regarding the no-shoes policy
→ In Tokyo, guests at the Shinbashi, Shinjuku, and Shibuya offices are asked to take off their shoes at the entrance and change into slippers.
Some women bring their favorite pumps with them. In that case, we can provide paper towels so they can quickly wipe off any dirt, so feel free to bring the shoes you normally wear.
Regarding clothing
→ As Maezawa mentioned, white or pastel colors should be perfectly fine! Personally, I think black and white are the most difficult colors to pull off when it comes to fashion, since they don’t hide your body shape or other details. They feel more suited to advanced-level styling. You’re also welcome to bring a few outfits and consult with the staff before deciding.
We also have clothing and shoes available, so there’s no problem if you come in pants and sneakers!
As the season for bright greenery and pleasant temperatures approaches, even the loveliest women may feel like bringing a camera outside for photos. But if you’re concerned, indoor photos only are perfectly fine.
During the interview, staff will wear masks except when taking photos. We wear them at all times otherwise.
Since you seem to have the perspective of an interviewer yourself, I’m getting nervous too! Please feel free to come in with peace of mind♪
Maezawa from the Business Planning Office here.
Sorry—I seem to have read too much into your question. You were asking where in Tokyo you should go for your interview, right?
> I was thinking that if the background is completely white, it might be better to avoid white or pastel-colored clothes.
White clothing actually works quite well against a completely white background. Pastel colors should work too. In fact, with a pure white setting, pretty much any color is fine.
Basically, all Universe branches use white-toned settings.
(Oh, did I just reveal a Universe secret? It’s not really a secret, though. lol)
The reason the photos can look different is that it depends on the angle the staff member chooses when taking them. The way the background is framed can make a big difference in the overall impression.
Daytime is recommended over evening or nighttime. The natural light coming in from outside makes for better photos.
I believe all branches take photos outdoors, but Shinjuku seems to do it relatively often.
You may feel self-conscious because there are a lot of people outside, but outdoor photos tend to turn out better, so I feel they may lead to more offers.
That said, whether you’ll be photographed outdoors depends on things like:
- How busy the interviews are (it’s easier to go outside when things are quiet)
- The weather (they don’t often go outside on rainy days)
- The time (outdoor photos are difficult at night)
- The woman’s rank (they’re more likely to go outside for women who are particularly attractive)
Also, even if you go to the same place, the photos will vary depending on the staff member’s photography skills. So even if you choose a location because you like the photos taken from a certain angle, you may not get the photos you expected if a different staff member takes them.
So I think “luck” plays a part too.
You don’t need to worry too much about matching your clothing color to the background, but whether the color suits you is important.
For reference:
Ginza
https://universe-club.jp/newladies/47280/
Shinjuku
https://universe-club.jp/newladies/47213/
I couldn’t find Shibuya, but since it only opened recently, it seems they’re currently having women come in for interviews but haven’t started uploading profiles there yet.
