Human Resources: Climb that mountain to get that job!

One of Japan's top Internet apparel retailers has an unusual recruitment policy. For reasons known only to themselves, they require young Japanese graduates to climb the 3 776m Mount Fuji, to attend a dawn interview on the summit.

"We are aiming to be the No.1 Internet retailer, so the No.1 mountain in Japan is very suitable," said Yoshifumi Tsunada, head of public relations for Image Co, the parent company of ImageNet Co.

I must admit that I am not fully conversant with Japanese Industrial Relations, but I wonder how much they thought this through?

In Australia for example, it would be very foolhardy for any company to set such a requirement. "Insurance" "Liability" and "Discrimination" are three word that spring to mind.

Exercises such as team building expeditions, top gun and paintball - are old hat. The corporate world finally realised they do not work - except for the companies hosting them.

Nice little stunt, but Image Co. would be better off hiring those who can demonstrate they can perform core requirements equal to or exceeding desired standards.