Information for International Students Seeking Job Opportunities

As world economy becomes increasingly borderless, the Japanese economy has also become diverse in terms of seeking human resources. A number of Japanese business organizations are now trying to attract international students. They are looking for the following three characteristics in international students:

1. Ability to Overcome Adverse Challenges
   In general, international students have overcome various difficulties in life while they study in Japan. It is likely that they have gained strength through dealing with language/cultural problems or even financial problems. Overcoming such obstacles is a special ability in conducting business.
   
   
2. Strong Sense of Purpose and Positive Attitude
   It is thought that many international students have well-defined objective in future. Having clear objectives means they possess the ability to formulate clear plans.It is therefore recommended that international students spell out their career plans and objectives at interviews.
   
   
3. Language Skill
   International students are expected to possess a good command of written and oral Japanese in addition to their native language. Except for some technical jobs, foreign employees are required to possess an ability to read, write and communicate in Japanese as they participate in meetings and communicate with Japanese colleagues. It is expected that international students with good command of the Japanese language will be able to adapt to Japanese business organizations quickly. It will be highly regarded if they also possess English language skills.

Although a number of Japanese business organizations gradually have increased the intake of foreign workers, job opportunities for foreigners are still rather limited. It is especially difficult to be accepted to the organizations that limit their market to Japan such as financial institutions, electric organizations, government and other public offices.It is suggested that international students first contact the personnel section of a desired organization and inquire about the job opportunity in advance.

Job-Seeking Experience of International Students

Q&A

Q: Is the screening process for international students different from the ones for Japanese students?
A: No.International students, like other Japanese students, must take the written examinations, such as Synthetic Personality Inventory (SPI) test, and pass interviews.International students are therefore recommended to prepare seriously for written examinations as these examinations can be quite challenging.

Q: Can foreign nationals hired in Japan be transferred to their home countries?
A: Generally, foreign nationals, as with other Japanese employees, work in Japan if they are hired in Japan. However, there may be an opportunity for such employees to work in their home countries after few years of work experience.

Q: Do foreign employees receive the same amount of salary as Japanese employees?
A: If international students are hired as full-time employees, their salary is generally the same regardless of their nationalities.

Q: Do I have to change my residence visa status after joining a Japanese organization?
A: International students must change their visa status from student visa to working visa such as of an "engineer". They are advised to find out which visa status is applicable and procure it before joining an organization.It is advised that they renew their visa before the date of expiry. Foreign nationals are not permitted to work in Japan without obtaining a suitable visa.Please get detailed information from the Immigration Bureau website.

Q: Where can international students obtain information about employment?
A: The Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners provides job information on the website in English, Chinese, Indonesian, Korean, Tagalong, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also provides video tape to support foreign workers on the website.

Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website "Videos for International Students Seeking Job Opportunities"