If you are a foreigner looking for your first job in Japan, here are some points to keep in mind and some tips on how to find a job!
What should foreigners be careful of when looking for their first job in Japan? If you carry out your job search in line with the unique employment situation in Japan and the way Japanese companies operate, you will be able to make progress in your job search.In this article, we will explain the employment situation for foreigners in Japan, points to note when looking for your first job in Japan, points to note during job interviews, and recommended methods for finding work. If you are looking for a job that is easy to work in Japan, please use the IT industry global company recruitment agency "G Talent".Let's learn about the employment and recruitment situation in JapanFirst, let's start by finding out about the employment and recruitment situation in Japan. If you know about the Japanese employment market and recruitment, it will be easier to deal with.There is high demand for foreign workersJapan's population is aging, and the shortage of workers is becoming more serious. For this reason, there is high demand for foreign workers, and it is easy for foreigners to find work in Japan.Let's take a look at the situation regarding foreign employment in Japan, as reported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. According to the “Summary of Reports on the Employment Status of Foreigners” (as of October 31, 2021) released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of foreign workers in Japan has been increasing as follows.As you can see from the graph above, the demand for foreign workers in Japan is increasing. Therefore, it can be predicted that the situation in which it is easy for foreigners to find work in Japan will continue in the future.The practice of recruiting new graduates en masse is commonLet's take a brief look at the employment situation in Japan. In Japan, people who are first employed after graduating from school are called “new graduates”, while those who change jobs after being employed are called “mid-career hires”. The practice of recruiting new graduates en masse is a custom unique to Japan.In Japan, the school year starts in April and ends in March. For this reason, new graduates usually start work in April, and many mid-career hires are also recruited in April when the school year changes.Reference: 新卒一括採用とは?日本特有の制度ができたきっかけやメリット、デメリット/MarkeTRUNKThe concept of lifetime employment is firmly establishedIn Japanese companies, it was common for new graduates to gain experience and stay with one company until retirement under the “lifetime employment system”. The “seniority system”, in which position and salary increase as the number of years worked increases, was firmly established, and it was said that quitting while young was a waste.However, as the birthrate declined and the population aged, the number of mid-career hires who could be an immediate asset to the company increased. At present, there is a chronic shortage of labor in Japanese companies, so it is relatively easy to be hired as a mid-career employee.Reference: 終身雇用は崩壊?実は約半数の企業が終身雇用。その是非と次の時代への打ち手とは/d's JOURNAL5 points to keep in mind for a foreigner is looking for a job in Japan for the first timeWhen a foreigner is looking for a job in Japan for the first time, there are 5 points to keep in mind.You need a work visa to work in JapanHigh Japanese language ability is often requiredYou need to understand Japanese customs and mannersDepending on the type of job, experience and skills are requiredMake sure you check the working conditions and workplace environment in advanceYou need a work visa to work in JapanIn order to work in Japan, you will need a work visa. If you do not have a work visa, you will need to apply for one at the Immigration Bureau. It takes time from application to issuance, so if you have a fixed date for starting work, you should apply as soon as possible.If you are a foreign student who has graduated from a Japanese school and are looking for a job in Japan, you will need to change your visa status. You will need to change your visa status to a work visa, as you will only have a “student” visa. The type of work visa you should apply for will depend on the nature of the work you will be doing, so please make sure you apply correctly.Reference: 転職したい/外国人雇用・就労VISAサポートセンターHigh Japanese language ability is often requiredWhen working in Japan, high Japanese language ability is often required. The level of Japanese language ability required by many companies is said to be JLPT N1-N2 level. You should improve your Japanese language ability by attending a Japanese conversation school or using distance learning.However, recently, some Japanese companies have started to make English the official language of the company. Depending on the company, they may not necessarily require Japanese language ability, so please check the job details.Reference: 外国人雇用の基本|採用時に確認したい日本語能力や成功事例をご紹介/みんなの採用部You need to understand Japanese customs and mannersYou need to understand the customs and manners of Japanese companies. Japan is a country that places importance on manners. Be sure to greet people and say thank you, and make sure to use phrases like “Otsukaresama desu(おつかれさまです)”.In addition, hierarchical relationships between superiors and subordinates, such as between bosses and senior employees, are highly valued, and frankness is not very popular. There are also trends unique to Japan, such as many people being willing to work overtime. It is a good idea to have some understanding of these unique Japanese customs and manners.Reference: 日本は異常?外国人が覚えておきたい日本のビジネスマナーとその考え方について[グローバル2]/FellowshipDepending on the type of job, experience and skills are requiredDepending on the type of job, experience and skills may be required. In particular, technical jobs place a strong emphasis on skills. IT-related jobs, etc. require programming skills and IT knowledge, etc., so it is advantageous to have some knowledge and skills.Reference: プログラミング系のおすすめ資格12選|資格の必要性や取得するメリットなども解説/生涯学習のユーキャンMake sure you check the working conditions and workplace environment in advanceBefore you start work, make sure you check the working conditions and workplace environment in advance. If the job information doesn't include detailed conditions, be careful.There may be cases where you don't get paid for travel expenses or have few days off. If you ask about these things in detail at the interview and don't get a clear answer, it's a sign that the company isn't being honest, so be careful.3 things to be careful of when a foreigner has their first job interview in JapanFrom here, we will explain the points to note when a foreigner has their first job interview in Japan.The format of the resume you submit is fixedYou must wear a recruitment suit for the interviewYou need to complete the reception 5 to 10 minutes before the interview timeThe format of the resume you submit is fixedThe format of the resume you submit to a company is more or less standardized throughout Japan. You can buy paper resumes at stationery stores, or download a format online. You will need as many resumes as the number of companies you are applying to, so handwritten resumes are not recommended. You can download them online, or use the resume you made when applying through a job-hunting website or agency.There are also rules for writing a resume, so please read the example provided with the format carefully before filling it in. Also, a photo is an important element in a resume as it conveys your appearance, so we recommend having a professional photo taken at a photo studio.Reference: How to write a Japanese resume “Shokumukeirekisyo”: The complete guide for foreign IT engineers/GitTapYou must wear a recruitment suit for the interview basicallyBasically, you should wear a recruitment suit for the interview. Recruitment suits for both men and women are black or dark blue.Men should avoid flashy ties and choose a simple pattern, and their shirts should be white. Women should wear white or light-colored blouses, simple stockings such as beige, low-heeled black or dark blue pumps, and natural makeup. For both men and women, make sure your hair is clean and tidy, and that your bangs or sideburns don't hang over your face. If you have long hair, make sure it's tied back.This is a custom unique to Japan, so you may think it's a hassle to prepare for. However, first impressions are very important, so make sure you have a recruitment suit ready. Just tell the sales assistant at the suit shop that you want a recruitment suit, and they will be able to help you.Reference: 転職活動はビジネススーツで!リクルートスーツとの違いも解説/ルートテックYou need to complete the reception process 5 to 10 minutes before the interview timeWhen you have an interview, you should complete the reception process 5 to 10 minutes before the interview time. Also, you should not arrive too early. It is important to introduce yourself at the reception desk 5 to 10 minutes before the interview time, saying “I am XX, who will be having an interview today”.5 recommended methods for foreigners looking for work in Japan for the first timeHere we introduce 5 recommended methods for foreigners looking for work in Japan for the first time.Use job sites and agencies for foreignersUse job sites and agencies that specialize in the type of job you wantConsult with the foreign employment service centerParticipate in company internshipsParticipate in joint company information sessions and seminarsUse job sites and agencies for foreignersIf you are a foreigner looking for a good job in Japan, we recommend that you use job sites and agencies that specialize in the type of job you are looking for. There are many jobs registered for foreigners, and you can also receive support that will be useful when you are looking for a job.We recommend the job-change agency "G Talent" for foreign IT engineers. As it provides specialized job-change support for foreign IT engineers, the chances of finding a good job are high. Another point is that they can also provide advice on employment issues that are unique to foreigners.If you want to use a job-search site, we recommend the global x IT job-search site "GitTap". It has a large number of IT jobs registered for foreigners, and you can search for good jobs from among the many jobs available.Use job sites and agencies that specialize in the type of job you wantThere are various types of job sites and agencies. Some specialize in specific types of jobs, such as sales, while others specialize in specific industries, such as the nursing care or IT industries. There are also types that specialize in specific age groups or income levels, such as those for people in their 20s or high-class positions. By using a job site or agency that suits you, you will be more likely to find a job that matches your desired conditions.Reference: 自分にぴったり合った転職サイトで転職活動を効率よく行おう!/イーキャリアFAConsult with the foreign employment service centerForeign Employment Service Centers are support facilities for foreigners located within Hello Work. If you are a foreigner with a residence status or a foreign student, you can browse employment information and receive employment advice. If you are worried about finding a job or changing jobs in Japan, please make use of this service.Reference: 日本で仕事を探している外国人必見!相談することができる5つの場所[グローバル2]/FellowshipParticipate in company internshipsIf you are a foreign student, you can also participate in a company internship. An internship is a short-term work experience at a company, and you can find out what kind of work you would like to do and whether it is right for you. Many companies are also actively implementing internships because they can work with the person they are considering hiring and assess their aptitude and personality.Reference: 留学生インターンシップ制度のご案内/東京外国人雇用サービスセンターParticipate in joint company information sessions and seminarsAlthough these are aimed at international students, it is also a good idea to use recruitment events aimed at international students. Joint company information sessions and seminars are sometimes held for specific industries, job types, or regions, so why not try attending the information session or seminar you are interested in? You can hear about many companies at once, so it is recommended that you participate in these events at the beginning of your job search to get information about as many companies as possible.Make sure you understand the important points and make your first job search in Japan a success!In this article, we have explained the employment situation for foreigners in Japan, important points to keep in mind when searching for your first job in Japan, important points to keep in mind during job interviews, and recommended job search methods. We hope you have found this article useful in understanding the important points to keep in mind when searching for a job in Japan and how to go about your job search.If you are a foreigner looking for a job as an IT engineer, we recommend G Talent, a job-placement agency for foreign IT engineers. This job-placement agency has a wealth of experience in supporting the recruitment of more than 200 companies and helping engineers from over 70 different nationalities find new jobs, so you can use it with peace of mind. There are plenty of IT jobs at companies where you can work in a fair environment regardless of your nationality, so you are sure to find a job that suits you. Let's start with a free registration first.






