Name: Hongboonrit Saeksan
Nationality: Thailand
University in Japan: Graduate school of Keio University
Major Field of Study: Commerce
Period of stay in Japan: Since 2006
Name of Company : Kao Corporation ( Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry)
The level of Japanese-Language: JLPT 1st level

 

 

What was the reason why you wanted to work in Japan?

As Japan is one of the world’s largest economic countries, I think working in Japan will be a great opportunity to have valuable experiences. Besides, Japan is a country full of interesting places to visit and relax on my time off.

 

What was the reason why you chose the company you are now working for?

Because the company is one of the most outstanding Japanese companies with powerful brands and an effective working system.

 

Please describe the business of your company and your job

The company is a manufacturer of fast moving consumer goods and chemical products. I am currently working at Global Fabric and Home Care Department, as a marketer. My major tasks are to work with both internal and external functions to create marketing strategies which include assortment planning, pricing, distribution and integrated communication.

 

What and how did you appeal to the employer?

I made myself appear confident, yet polite. I think it is an advantage to present myself to the employer that I have strong leadership, but in the same time, I can also work well in a team.

 

When did you start your job hunting activities?

In June, during the second year of my master's program

 

How many companies did you apply to?

I applied to only one company as I was really determined to get the job there.

 

Specifically, what did you do for your job search? (Please describe the seminars you attended, web sites you used, etc.)

I searched for the recruit information via the internet and checked the career information board at the university. There are also some online recruit services that you can upload your brief resume and they will contact you back if there is any match job.

 

What did you refer to for your advance preparation and company research?

The easiest way is surfing the internet. Firstly, I checked the company website. Most of necessary information was there. Moreover, tracking back the business news related to the company was also useful. It was helpful to get to know more about the company’s position in the market.

 

What did you find difficult in your advance preparation and company research?

I do not think I found any problems in advance preparation and company research.
The most difficult thing was that there was a lot of information to remember.

 

What were you careful about in making your job resumé, curriculum vitae (CV) or your work history?

For me, the important thing in writing a resume is how to appeal the company your abilities, not just only show them what you have done. So, I analyzed myself in order to see what I am good at and used them as my strengths.

 

What did you pay attention to in preparation for your job interview?

The first thing I did was to make myself relaxed and confident. Secondly, I wrote down the expected questions that the interviewers might ask, made my answers and had fun with my own role-plays. This kind of rehearsal could release your pressure while you are in the easy-to-panic interview room. Also, I reviewed some basic marketing theories and read some interesting marketing cases to expand my business knowledge.

 

What were you asked in job interviews?

First the interviewers asked me about general questions like why I came to study in Japan and whether or not there were any difficulties living here. Then, I was asked questions regarding my attitudes toward the company, work, and my future career.

 

What were the experiences that you found confusing, the problems you faced, or the impressive episode in your job searching activities?

I think the Japanese company’s recruiting period is too specific. One or two chances in a year are quite stressful. Also, there are many processes you need to involve, particularly in the interview processes.

 

What did you find good things about working in Japan?

In my case, the market of fast moving consumer goods and chemical products is highly competitive, so you need to keep your eyes open for the news, keep your ears out for the information. You need to be active and keep yourself aware all the time. Though it is tough, these conditions provide me with a valuable opportunity to develop myself.

 

Please let us know your hopes, objectives and plans for the future.

I wish to make the best use of my marketing skills and knowledge for the current and future work, and further utilize my marketing experiences as a company consultant.

 

Please give a message to those who are thinking about finding a job in Japan.

To find a job in Japan, you might face with many complex processes. Once you start working, you might find difficulty in dealing with the differences in culture, the language barriers, and also the unavoidable stressful atmosphere at the work place. I must say that searching for a job and working in Japan is not an easy thing. There are many pressures that you might be confronted with. So, mental and health preparation is a must to do once you decide to work in such a competitive economy like Japan. However, you will be stronger. I can say that it will be a very valuable experience in your life.

 

 

 

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Name: Zhuang Xiao Li
Nationality: China
University in Japan: Sapporo University Graduate School
Major Field of Study: Graduate School of culturology
Period of stay in Japan: Since April 2003
Name of Company : Creek & River Co.,Ltd.
The level of Japanese-Language: JLPT 1st level

 

 

 

What was the reason why you wanted to work in Japan?

Living in Japan as an international student gave me an education, and also dreams and hope. I started thinking about working at a Japanese company when a new ambition cropped up and kept growing: I wanted to become a bridge between Japan and China, and do something useful in the Japanese society to deepen understanding between the two countries.

 

What was the reason why you chose the company you are now working for?

I chose my current job because I was attracted to the message the president gave at the company briefing session. The president spoke about his experience as a young TV director going out to film an African village, and the hunger and poverty it represented. The land was fertile, yet the people were starving. Why? If only they built a waterway and learned how to grow crops, their problems would be solved. But the villagers didn't have the means of acquiring this know-how on their own. The president realized that they needed a helping hand. This led him to form his own company with the philosophy of providing required support to freelancers, who work under the same conditions that he did at the time, and building a society more comfortable to live in. I did some serious thinking about this. The job of an agent is to discover values in people, elevate those values, connect people, and create an environment suitable for everyone. It seemed like the perfect line of work for realizing my dream of becoming a bridge and contributing to Japan and China.

 

Please describe the business of your company and your job

The company has a network of more than 49,000 creators and some 1,000 partner production companies. It connects these creative resources with contents and meets customers' needs. It also invites international students to Japan and assists their job hunting activities from the standpoint of fostering new creators.
My job as an agent is to interview creators seeking to register with the company, go to clients' offices to hear their needs and secure dispatching or outsourcing orders, and make plans and proposals to solve clients' problems.
I am also in charge of unique tasks in which I can draw on my experience as an international student: I handle the company's new Chinese accounts in Japan, and assist colleges that specialize in the creative field with international student support programs.

 

What and how did you appeal to the employer?

I appealed the fact that I have lived in both Japan and China and experienced both cultures, and also, having taught the Japanese language in China, that I love dealing with people and am confident about my communication skills.

 

When did you start your job hunting activities?

I started around summer the year before I graduated. I suppose this was quite late.

 

How many companies did you apply to?

I sent applications to about 20 companies.

 

Specifically, what did you do for your job search? (Please describe the seminars you attended, web sites you used, etc.)

I searched for keywords by the industry and position I was interested in, never minding whether international students were up for hire. I registered on recruitment websites, from major Japanese web portals like Rikunabi and Mynavi to sites that specialize in supporting Chinese people like Aineedu. I also frequented the Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners, and attended various joint company briefings. I chanced upon the company I work for now at an Asian employment briefing session held by the Metropolitan Tokyo Professional Institution Association.

 

What did you refer to for your advance preparation and company research?

Advance preparation is such an important process. I went to the websites of the companies I applied to and researched their history, president's philosophy, business areas, and the role of the position I applied for. The aim was to form an image of the company's ideal employee, and prepare a self-promotion scenario accordingly. For instance, I wanted to be able to say in concrete terms, "I have this background and I could do this if you hired me."

 

What did you find difficult in your advance preparation and company research?

At one interview I was asked what the Nikkei average was that day, and I couldn't answer. I have been buying the Nikkei newspaper every morning ever since. I made a rule of reading every first-page article and looking up the economic terms I didn't understand.
I also bought dozens of books and practiced for written tests like the Synthetic Personality Inventory (SPI).

 

What were you careful about in making your job resumé, curriculum vitae (CV) or your work history?

I referred to guidebooks you can get at any bookstore. But all the while, I kept in mind that I should be original and not write the same thing as everybody else. So I made a point of looking for strengths that only I had, and including them in my resumes along with specific episodes.

 

What did you pay attention to in preparation for your job interview?

It is very important to speak with confidence. In a group interview, for instance, if you think for a moment that you can't win because you're a foreigner and all the other applicants are Japanese, you have already failed. I tried to do the opposite, that is, I did my best to show the interviewer that I am motivated and willing to put in the extra effort so that they'll never have to compare me to their Japanese employees.

 

What were you asked in job interviews?

Besides the usual "tell us about yourself" and "why do you want to work for us?" some interviewers had prepared questions especially for foreigners like: "Why do you want to work in Japan?" "What are the differences between Japan and your home country?" "How long can you work in Japan?" "What is your image of Japanese people?" and "What are your plans for the future?"

 

What were the experiences that you found confusing, the problems you faced, or the impressive episode in your job searching activities?

Job-hunting was a process of trial and error for me. The first month was a string of failures since I came off to a slow start searching for openings, took the SPI test without knowing what it was, and went to interviews without even researching the company. Receiving one rejection letter after another was depressing, to be honest. But I had faith that there would be a suitable place for me somewhere, and kept attending company briefings. And I thought it was important to analyze the reasons for each failure and avoid repeating the same mistakes at subsequent interviews or tests, so I made my own job-hunting progress chart and nailed it to the wall. It had columns like company name, position, screenings that I passed, and why I was ultimately rejected. This progress chart was an impressive aspect of my job-hunting activities.

 

What did you find good things about working in Japan?

Ever since I joined the company, I have spent each day absorbing knowledge and expertise in the mysterious world of business. The first struggle was to be able to explain about the company without help. Then I was gradually given more tasks like answering the phone properly in Japanese, getting appointments with clients, actually visiting the clients, making plans and proposals, and actually presenting those plans and proposals. Through all this, I sense the Japanese people's pride and earnestness toward their work. As I meet more people, I am coming to understand the responsibilities and rewards of a working adult. I think I've grown because I was able to work in Japan. And for this, I thank my supportive Japanese colleagues.

 

Please let us know your hopes, objectives and plans for the future.

My company has plans to branch out into China in the near future. I hope that I could be a member of the start-up and put into play my experiences as an international student in Japan. Eventually, I would like to coordinate the exchange of creative personnel and contents between China and Japan.

 

Please give a message to those who are thinking about finding a job in Japan.

Job-hunting is hard, but there is so much to be gained once you overcome it.
Believe in yourself, and never give up. I've heard that the average Japanese student applies to 50 companies, is accepted by three or four, and then chooses a favorite from among them. I don't know whether this is true, but I do know that it's important to attend many company briefings.
Also, don't carry troubles all by yourself. Actively discuss your problems with teachers and career consultants, and with older international students. It's important to get advice from many different people. Fortunately, I was good at making friends with (both Japanese and foreign) students who I met at company briefings and group interviews. I found that exchanging information with others in the same situation was encouraging – for you and for the other person.
And finally, build a unique story about yourself. Make your status as a foreigner an advantage, and appeal that you can play a crucial role in the company you apply to. I wish you the best of luck.

 

 

 

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Name: Kesinee Phatisatian
Nationality: Thailand
University in Japan: Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics, Waseda University
Major Field of Study: Japanese Applied Linguistics
Period of stay in Japan: Since April 2005
Name of Company : CCC Co., Ltd.
The level of Japanese-Language: JLPT 1st level

 

 

 

What was the reason why you wanted to work in Japan?

In Thailand, you can only get a job that is related to your specialty, so I wanted to get some experience working overseas.

 

What was the reason why you chose the company you are now working for?

I wanted to get a job at a company that did project planning. I was particularly attracted to the energy of the employees at the company I work for now.

 

Please describe the business of your company and your job.

Currently I'm working on the launch and operation of the "Global Internship Program" for international students. My job mainly involves support, etc., for international interns.

 

What and how did you appeal to the employer?

From my experience studying abroad and working for a Japanese company, I have been able to learn about the cultures of my own country (Thailand) as well as Japan. I emphasized my desire to use that knowledge and my ability to plan projects that would help people all over the world understand "true" culture. Anyway, I think that giving concrete responses is the key to presenting yourself well.

 

When did you start your job hunting activities?

From October in my first year of graduate school. I started looking for a job pretty early.

 

How many companies did you apply to?

Of course, graduate school was tough, so I was only able to apply to about 20 companies.

 

Specifically, what did you do for your job search?  (Please describe the seminars you attended, web sites you used, etc.)

I attended joint company explanation meetings. I used Rikunabi and most of the other employment sites.

 

What did you refer to for your advance preparation and company research?

I went to the company website first. In particular, I checked to see if the company's "corporate philosophy" matched my own views. Then I visited blogs and the like related to employment to check the actual image of the company, its corporate culture, etc. It was just people's opinions, of course, but it gave me something to take into consideration.

 

What did you  find difficult in your advance preparation and company research?

Unlike Japanese students, I didn't have others around me that were employed, so I couldn't get much information from people around me. So, I had to use as many reference books and websites, etc., as possible to study up on how to look for a job.

 

What were you careful about in making your job resumé, curriculum vitae (CV) or your work history?

I tried to write about concrete experiences in a way that was as concise and easy to understand as possible. I also tried to write about the results of those experiences whenever I was able to do so.

 

What did you pay attention to in preparation for your job interview?

I didn't answer until I understood the question completely.

 

What were you asked in job interviews?

I was asked what kind of work I wanted to do at the company, and what kind of image of the Japanese people I had.

 

What were the experiences that you found confusing, the problems you faced, or the impressive episode in your job searching activities?

Looking for a job was a valuable experience that helped me learn things that I didn't know before about each company, and to get a look behind the scenes.

 

What did you find good things about working in Japan?

Since I'm a new employee, right now I'm learning through a variety of jobs. I haven't been given a big job yet, but I think that it's good that I've been able to see a side of myself I hadn't realized was there, and to get a better idea of what I'm good at and what I'm not.

 

Please let us know your hopes, objectives and plans for the future.

I would like to get experience in planning at the company I work for now, then in the future return to Thailand as a "planner" who creates plans for various types of project.

 

Message to the students willing to commence their working career in Japan.

First, decide why you want to work in Japan, and what kind of person you want to be in the future. Finding a job in Japan is more difficult than it is overseas, and you have to be strong both physically and psychologically. But if you have a clear goal, you can overcome any difficulty at all!
Good luck with your job search!

 

 

 

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Name: Muhammad Zukhairi Abidin
Nationality: Malaysia
University in Japan: Nagaoka University of Technology
Major Field of Study: Bioengineering
Period of stay in Japan: Since April 2001
Name of Company : MARUWA CO., LTD (Ceramic electronic parts manufacturer)
The level of Japanese-Language: JLPT 1st level

 

 

 

What was the reason why you wanted to work in Japan?

I was attracted by the fact that Japan was able to grow into the world's second largest economy, even though it has few natural resources. I also thought that if I got a job in Japan, I would be able to absorb the diligence and sensitivity of the Japanese people toward their work, as well as other positive traits, and grow more myself.

 

What was the reason why you chose the company you are now working for?

MARUWA's head office is in Aichi prefecture, and it has a factory in Malacca, Malaysia. That's perfect for me, since I would like to return to Malaysia in the future and work for the development of my home country. Another deciding factor was that, when I visited the company for the first time for an interview, the employees that I met treated me kindly, and I had a very good impression of them.

Please describe the business of your company and your job.

MARUWA starts with the materials and develops, manufactures, and markets electronic parts used in PCs, mobile phones, automobiles, and other electrical devices that surround us. In recent years, the company has focused efforts on products that take the environment into consideration, such as ceramic substrates for hybrid cars and LED modules. I work in a department that manufactures the world's best-selling ceramic substrates for chip resistors. My work is related to mold technology used in presses. Molds require micron-level precision, so concentration and dexterity are vital. I also conduct support work for individuals who come from the Malaysian factory to Japan for technical training.

 

What and how did you appeal to the employer?

I diligently expressed my strong desire to gain technical skills while working in Japan and my ability to contribute to the company through the vitality and language skills I developed during my experience studying in Japan.

 

When did you start your job hunting activities?

I conducted many experiments using microbes in my graduation research, making it difficult to find the time to get started on my job search, so it was around summer vacation when I started my full-scale search.

 

How many companies did you apply to?

I attended orientation sessions at five companies, and took screening tests at four companies.

 

Specifically, what did you do for your job search?  (Please describe the seminars you attended, web sites you used, etc.)

At the recommendation of an alumnus, I first focused my job search on the Rikunabi and en-japan employment information sites. Then around autumn, I registered on CFN (Career Forum Net), an employment information site for bilingual individuals. That's where I found MARUWA. I also referred to employment information provided at the university employment desk, as well as books on interviews and written tests.

 

What did you refer to for your advance preparation and company research?

I attended an orientation session after getting a certain amount of information from the company website, such as what kind of business it was, and what kind of people they were looking for. Then, I did more research with the materials and other items I was given at the orientation session, and then I had an interview.

 

What did you  find difficult in your advance preparation and company research?

Not in my case. These days, I think anyone who wants to can gather information easily.

 

What were you careful about in making your job resumé, curriculum vitae (CV) or your work history?

I had very few opportunities to write a resume before I started my job search, so I prepared my resume after getting advice from instructors and alumni. My penmanship isn't very good, so I was repeatedly told to write more neatly. If the writing is sloppy, nobody will want to read it, so it's important to be careful of that.

 

What did you pay attention to in preparation for your job interview?

First impressions are so important that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they are the determining element of an interview. I paid a lot of attention to my grooming and appearance, cheerfully and energetically greeting the interviewer, and using proper language.

 

What were you asked in job interviews?

I had three interviews before I received an offer of employment. In the first interview, I introduced myself, and was asked about such things as why I was interested in the job, and the content of my graduation research. In the second interview, I was asked technical questions, such as what I wanted to do and what I was able to do. In the final interview, I was especially nervous, since I was going to be meeting with the president of the company, but he asked me not only about the job itself but also about Malaysia and my future, mixing in humor here and there, so it was an enjoyable interview.

 

What were the experiences that you found confusing, the problems you faced, or the impressive episode in your job searching activities?

Time was the biggest problem in my job search. Unfortunately, I had a lot of experiments that I couldn't set aside, and in many cases I wasn't able to go to seminars that I wanted to attend. However, even though I wasn't able to do a lot in my job search, meeting new people and going places I had never been before was and remains a valuable experience for me.

 

What did you find good things about working in Japan?

It's said that the Japanese work ethic is the best in the world, so it was important to me to know that if my own work was acceptable in Japan, it would be acceptable anywhere in the world. In particular, MARUWA has a corporate culture in which employees are unified and cooperate, and even young employees are entrusted with work. If there's something at work that I don't understand, older employees or my supervisor will explain it to me, and when I make good suggestions, they're implemented immediately. In addition, there's a lot of interaction with employees who were hired at the same time, as well as older employees, and on holidays we enjoy barbeques, etc.

 

Please let us know your hopes, objectives and plans for the future.

I hope to train for a few years in Japan and get a wide range of experience then return to Malaysia and contribute to the development of the Malaysian factory.

 

Message to the students willing to commence their working career in Japan.

I'm continuing to study the Japanese language. Naturally, if I can't express my opinions and ideas, etc., clearly, it will be hard for me to gain the understanding and trust of those around me, so the first thing that has to be done is to get rid of the language barrier. Let's improve our Japanese!

 

 

 

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Name: Yousra Ashraf
Nationality: Egyptian
University in Japan: Konan University
Major Field of Study: Japanese literature
Period of stay in Japan: Since 2006
Name of Company : JTC Corporation (A trading firm)
The level of Japanese-Language: JLPT 1st level

 

 

 

What was the reason why you wanted to work in Japan?

I majored in the Japanese language, so I wanted to work where I could put my skills to full use. I also wanted to live here a bit longer. Besides, working in this country offered good experience and good pay.

 

What was the reason why you chose the company you are now working for?

The interviewers were very kind. They took a sincere interest in me. And since the company trades with my home country, I had a good chance of taking occasional business trips back home and using my native language on the job.

 

Please describe the business of your company and your job.

The company is a trading firm that deals mainly with Middle-Eastern countries. I work at the sales division. My major tasks are corresponding with clients, booking ships to transport cargo, handling bank transactions, and dealing with related (and unrelated) problems.

 

What and how did you appeal to the employer?

I emphasized my linguistic skills. My native language is Arabic; I achieved a perfect score in TOEIC; and I have a first grade certificate in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.

 

When did you start your job hunting activities?

I got off to a slightly slow start. I began hunting for jobs in June during the second year of my master's program.

 

How many companies did you apply to?

I applied to tons of online job postings, but only had interviews with 10 or even fewer companies.

 

Specifically, what did you do for your job search?  (Please describe the seminars you attended, web sites you used, etc.)

I signed up for membership to all the websites I knew, whether they were recruiting Japanese natives or foreigners. Nikkei Career, Hello Work, and Rikunabi are some Japanese websites. I also registered on Solver Network, which is especially for foreigners who want to work in Japan, and had a phone interview with a consultant. Apart from that, I attended lectures by the Society International Education and Cultural Exchange (SIENCE) and symposiums held by the International Foreign Students Association (IFSA), and frequently visited the Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners.
I asked experts to review and correct my Japanese-language resume at the career center at my university, at the SIENCE, and at a forum held by the Kyoto Prefectural International Center. I also asked my Japanese friends for help.

 

What did you refer to for your advance preparation and company research?

I only used the references available at my university's career center. You could say I was very underprepared.

 

What did you  find difficult in your advance preparation and company research?

The most difficult was preparing for the synthetic personality inventory, or SPI. There were few international students at my university, so I was a "special case" at the career center. It made me nervous to go to the center, and lonely not to have friends in the same situation. The second most difficult was that there were so many companies to choose from. I was at a loss where to look to narrow down my options.

 

What were you careful about in making your job resumé, curriculum vitae (CV) or your work history?

I studied Japanese literature in Japan. That was my thing. I hadn't undertaken any marketing-related studies. So I tried to accentuate the one weapon that I had—my linguistic ability.

 

What did you pay attention to in preparation for your job interview?

I made sure I was prepared to answer expected questions, like about my future plans.

 

What were you asked in job interviews?

Interviewers asked about my future plans, what I had done so far in preparation for those plans, what about Japan and my home country are similar and different, what I like and dislike about Japanese people, etc.

 

What were the experiences that you found confusing, the problems you faced, or the impressive episode in your job searching activities?

I once asked a specialist about career opportunities in Japan for international students. The consultant seemed nice at first, but said some harsh things later on. When I was on the verge of giving up, the people at SIENCE encouraged me to go on. I'm really glad I met them, because their advice helped a lot.
Also, I had been so sure about my English language proficiency that I never bothered with the TOEIC. But I learned that companies want proof. It was only after I had a certificate that they took me seriously.

 

What did you find good things about working in Japan?

Equality. At my current company, for instance, the first person to leave for the day collects and discards everyone's garbage, regardless of his age or career.
The company also teaches you a bit at a time. It doesn't give you too much responsibility from day one, yet it doesn't give you only trivial tasks either. It seems to be aware of your timing, your balance.
Above all, everyone works in the same space at this small company, so you quickly get along with your co-workers.

 

Please let us know your hopes, objectives and plans for the future.

I hope to keep working happily with my colleagues. I would like to be able to handle more complex tasks too, of course.

 

 

Message to the students willing to commence their working career in Japan.

First, listen to others. Older students, former students, current students who are job-hunting with you… both international students and native Japanese students… I can't stress enough how important it is to exchange information with your friends.
Second, don't wait until your resume is perfect. The more you revise, the more you'll never see an end to the task.
Third, if you attend a forum or symposium, listen to the lectures of as many companies as you can. Even if you don't care to join a particular company, chances are it will have valuable advice for you.
Fourth, acquire as many qualifications as you can. No matter how skilled you are, the companies that you apply to want visible proof.
Fifth, and last, applying for a job in Japan may be more difficult for international students than it is for native Japanese students, but it isn't impossible. Don't give up. I wish you luck.

 

 

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Name: Valeriia Iurchenko
Nationality: Ukraine
University in Japan: Nagoya University
Major Field of Study: Japanese language and culture
Period of stay in Japan: Since September 2006
Name of Company : Crestec
The level of Japanese-Language: JLPT 1st level

 

 

 

What was the reason why you wanted to work in Japan?

It happened that I always longed to have a job directly related to Japan and Japanese language - this is the very reason why I was mastering Japanese during my university years, but as I have never spent a long time dwelling inside Japan, I was aware that I might not get used to Asian country and decided to try the exchange student program primarily to making a final decision. After having spent one year in Nagoya University, I conceived that Japan is exactly the country I would love to start my professional career.

 

 

What was the reason why you chose the company you are now working for?

First of all, my company is Dutch owned, which was the most attractive point whilst deciding. Secondly, my work is directly related to joint collaboration with our offices in UK, US, Germany, France, Canada, China, Brazil, Turkey and other countries, which allows me to use English and Japanese on daily basis. Moreover, all my co-workers have spent at least 3 years outside Japan (exchange programs, universities, language schools), so their way of thinking is diverse and the foreign culture for them is familiar in a way.

 

Please describe the business of your company and your job.

I am working as Localization Project Manager (PM) in the Publishing Company.
Main duties are comprised of coordination of localization projects with local and overseas resources, in terms of schedule and production, within a given budget, and being responsible for creating purchase orders for assigned projects.
I also prepare, pack, send, and receive files for translation and linguistic QA, maintain product specific glossaries, translation memories, and any other language materials, and assure the consistent use of them.

 

What and how did you appeal to the employer?

As my boss has shared with me later, she liked me a lot because of the confidence I was speaking with. Remember, even if you have a fantastic resume but your voice and hands are shaking during interview, people interviewing you will not feel like reading it! And one more, you will never have a second chance to make a first impression. Try to use the first two minutes of conversation to a greater extent.

 

When did you start your job hunting activities?

It was about half a year since I commenced my studies in Japanese university when I started to thinking over the job opportunities I had here. As I was a starter and still did not know what is very best way to proceed with job hunting, so I simply surfed web sites of recruiting companies (both Japanese and English) and applied for available positions online. Back that time my goal was not to find a full-time job, but at least a part-time position in the Japanese company in order to get a better insite into the working environment, peculiarities of being foreigner ("gaijin") among the Japanese nationals and to see if I might be accepted as an equal professional regardless of my background and nationality. I must add that I have found that one of my biggest pros was the ability to speak fluently both English and Japanese. I guess, without an excellent command of these two languages there are not much options for a foreigner here, especially if you endeavor to get a position of OL or salesman.

 

How many companies did you apply to?

I applied to a numerous job positions.

 

Specifically, what did you do for your job search?  (Please describe the seminars you attended, web sites you used, etc.)

As most of the foreigners I used the following web sites: gaijinpot, careerforum, joblet, jobcube, daijob, careercross and etc. In my humble opinion if you know how to use google it is not hard to find where to apply. From the experience of my colleagues from the university I’ve heard that job fairs are not very promising as very few people whom I know managed to get a position in the company by attending those. Moreover most of job fairs for foreigners are being held in Tokyo, which was not easy to do for me residing in Nagoya. In my case the web site gaijinpot was the most helpful one as I have found my current company via it.

 

What did you refer to for your advance preparation and company research?

Modern age has made lots of things much easier in our life, particularly when it comes to searching the information you need. I surfed the internet and found the home page of my prospective employer with all the information about the company, their clients, services they provide. I should admit as they were using some unfamiliar for me software products, so I had to scrutinize the issue more precisely, once again, with the help of the World Wide Web! Love it or hate it, globalization age has come and it seems to stay here for a while. Internet, emails, data archiving and convergence have ensured that everybody has equal access to almost everything. Just got for what you need!

 

What were you careful about in making your job resumé, curriculum vitae (CV) or your work history?

I kept in mind that English CV and Japanese one are to be completely diverse. For instance, English CV can be done in word format using A4 sheet, while Japanese one has a certain standard form which should be purchased in convenient store. Moreover, in Japan you can find a lot of literature about how to write your resume with all the necessary samples and tips. I highly recommend any person willing to work in Japan to get familiar with such books.

 

What did you pay attention to in preparation for your job interview?

I really loved the position, so strived to find as much information about the company as possible. I talked to some foreigners who were working in the same industry, asked for some tips from their side.

 

What were you asked in job interviews?

Well, a typical set of questions: to introduce myself, briefly explain my background, some IT-related questions directly related to the job. I should add that I had two interviews in total, the latter one was with the boss of the company who made the final decision, I assume. It also took quite a while (around 3 weeks) after the last interview to receive the notification from my company about the acceptance of me as seishain.

 

Message to the students willing to commence their working career in Japan.

Never be afraid to set the high goals and dream about it! "There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, "Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams." Then they put this box away and bring it out once in a while to look in it, and yep, they are still there” (Erma Bombeck). We should not forget that all the dreams even the wildest ones are coming true, if we have the courage to pursue them. Empower your dreams with hard work and deadlines! Endeavour to do the very best you can! Remember that life flies by very fast. But the good news is that you are the pilot!

 

 

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