Finding employment at a Japanese company

The job-hunting process in Japan may differ from the processes in other countries.
If you are job hunting in Japan for the first time, your experience will be much smoother if you understand the differences and procedures.
In some cases, businesses do not fully grasp the qualifications and requirements necessary to hiring workers from overseas, so it is important that you seek out employment information yourself.

About graduate recruitment

The employment system in Japan primarily targets university and vocational school students who are about to graduate and have no work experience. Overseas exchange students generally apply for jobs through the graduate recruitment system.
As many students hired through graduate recruitment have no work experience, it is possible to be recruited without having experience or specialized skills.
It’s important to study the fundamental knowledge of their preferred type of job beforehand, and to clearly show your enthusiasm and ambition to grow.

Points to Keep in Mind when Job Hunting

When Japanese businesses recruit overseas exchange students, please be aware that they often want to know two things: if the candidate is able to work using the Japanese language, and are they enthusiastic and passionate about the work.

Being able to communicate smoothly in Japanese is necessary in a Japanese workplace.
Some companies evaluate JLPT or BJT scores, and are particularly looking for candidates who have passed N1 or N2. As it is important to understand a company when applying, it is necessary to research the company beforehand.
Clearly expressing your enthusiasm and passion to learn can also lead to employment.

The Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT) measures a person’s ability to communicate in Japanese in the workplace. In addition to knowing expressions used in business, it evaluates their ability to understand and process complex information.

The ability to speak Japanese, English, or other languages is a great asset in seeking employment. Be sure to highlight that as a strong point in hiring a foreign worker.

To be successful in job hunting, it’s extremely important to learn about and understand Japan-specific business manners. Manners and customs are regarded as important in Japan, and a candidate’s changes decline if their manners are evaluated as insufficient during interviews and screenings. Therefore, be sure to learn about Japanese business manners.