Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Get a job as an English teacher
• Method 2 of 3: Get a part-time job
• Method 3 of 3: Getting a full-time job

Japan is a beautiful, vibrant country with a thriving economy. Whether you want to teach English or are looking for a part-time or full-time job with Japanese companies, you can fulfill your dream of a rewarding international work experience with a little dedication and hard work.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Get a job as an English teacher

1. Determine if you meet the requirements. If you don't speak Japanese, which is a requirement for most jobs in Japan, teaching English is a great way to work in the country. Even if you do speak Japanese, you may want the rewarding experience of teaching abroad.
   • You need a bachelor's degree (not an associate's degree) from any subject, and possibly a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. You can graduate as an English teacher in about three months. Get certified online or through in-person courses. Visit the TESOL or TEFL websites to find accredited classrooms near you.
   • You must pass a criminal background check and possibly a drug test.
2. Get an internship at a public school. One way to find a teaching job in Japan is through a program such as the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET). This is carried out by the Japanese government and places qualified candidates as assistant language teachers in public schools across the country.
   • Participants sign a contract for 1 year and can participate in the program for a maximum of 5 consecutive years.
   • You can register for the program during the autumn via an online portal. Your application must consist of the application form, a medical form indicating that you are in good health, your university grade lists, proof of degrees, a 2-page essay explaining why you want to participate in the program, two letters of reference, and proof of Dutch citizenship. It is a very competitive program, so not all candidates are hired.
3. Apply to teach at a private language school. There are hundreds of private schools in the country offering English lessons. Normally you will apply online through the school website for a teaching position and will be interviewed via Skype if you are a promising candidate.
   • Search for private schools online and visit their websites to see if they are hiring. You can also search for vacancies on Japanese job boards such as Gaijinpot.
   • Establish the legitimacy of the school by conducting online searches to find any negative stories about it. Watch out for red flags. For example, if the school asks you to come by with a tourist visa and later promises you the correct credentials, don't accept the position. Also, do not agree to "volunteer" until your visa has been approved.
4. Apply for your work visa at your local embassy. Once you have been offered a teaching job, you must apply for a work visa to enter Japan. The work visa is specific to the job you were hired for and is not a general authorization to work anywhere in Japan.
   • You can find the nearest Japanese embassy by searching online or viewing this list of worldwide embassies and consulates https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/ambassades-consulaten-en-overige-vertreken/overzicht-landen-en-gebied .
   • Once you are hired, your employer will request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for you and send it to you. Please bring the COE, your passport, a visa application form and a photo of yourself to your local Japanese embassy to submit your application. Once your visa is ready, which can take about 5 days, you can pick it up at the embassy.
5. Register with your local government office. Once you arrive in Japan, you must register as a resident within 14 days. You need your passport, residence card and a form.
   • When you arrive at one of the major airports you will receive your residence card when you land. If you arrive at a smaller airport you have to go to the local town hall to get it there. Your fingerprints will be taken, your photo will be taken, and you will receive a laminated card.
   • Bring your residence card and passport to the nearest government office, which you can find online. There you will receive a form on which you enter your personal details and your new address. You hand in your passport, residence card, and the form, and after about 30 or 40 minutes you will get your residence card back with your address on the back. Later you will receive your Citizen Service Number and VAT number by post.
   • Some government offices have interpreters, but it's a good idea to bring someone who speaks Japanese if you don't know the language as you will be asked some questions.

Method 2 of 3: Get a part-time job

1. Go to school in Japen. Foreigners in Japan with a student visa can get part-time jobs in the country. However, you cannot automatically work as a student, so you must apply for a work permit as soon as you arrive in Japan.
   • Once you are admitted to a school, they will send you a COE, a student visa application form, 2 passport photos and your valid passport to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate. You will receive your passport, stamped with your student visa, after approximately 3 to 7 days.
   • Submit your application for a work permit to your local application office. The application takes approximately 3 weeks. Your work permit expires at the same time as your student visa.
   • Students are not allowed to work more than 28 hours per week and no more than 8 hours during holidays.
   • Foreign students are not allowed to work in places that "affect public morals", such as bars, nightclubs or establishments where gambling is allowed.
2. See if you are eligible for a Working Holiday Visa. As of September 1, 2018, Japan has bilateral agreements with 21 countries, including Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom (but not the United States), allowing young people between the ages of 18 and 30 from these countries to work part-time for up to 12 months while on vacations in Japan.
   • To qualify for this visa, you must show that you have reasonable means during your trip and enough money to purchase a return ticket home. You cannot bring dependents.
   • You must also demonstrate that you are in good health with medical certificates.
   • As with a student visa, a Working Holiday Visa does not allow you to work in establishments that influence public morals, such as bars, cabarets and casinos.
   • Apply for this visa in the same way as a work visa, by submitting an application form and the necessary accompanying documents (passport, proof of money, medical certificate, resume, written statement explaining why you want the visa, and an overview of your planned activities in Japan) at the nearest Japanese embassy.
   • There is no limit to the number of hours you can work with a Working Holiday Visa.
3. Search for part-time jobs on websites and in magazines. Many part-time employees are advertised on job posting websites and in free magazines distributed in convenience stores and train stations. "Townwork" is a popular resource that is published as a magazine and has a website you can visit.
   • Restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores are all examples of places that offer baito (part-time jobs) to both Japanese citizens and foreigners. Keep in mind that many of these jobs focus on customer service, so you will need some Japanese proficiency to get hired.
   • If you don't speak Japanese, you can also look for customer service jobs at tourist offices and department stores that offer language support in languages ​​other than Japanese. You can also look for a job at the popular new Eikaiwa Cafés (English Conversation Cafes), serving food and drink and chatting with customers in English to help them improve their proficiency in that language.
4. Apply in person. Once you've found a company that hires people part-time, especially at a restaurant or grocery store, the best thing to do is just walk in, ask if they accept applications, request an interview, and hope you get an invite.
   • It's a good idea to bring your passport with your visa stamped on it or your work permit to prove your eligibility to work.

Method 3 of 3: Getting a full-time job

1. Start learning Japanese if you don't speak it yet. Proficiency in the language is the key to finding a full-time job. Almost all professional jobs in Japan, in addition to teaching English and some IT jobs, require a level 2 JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test).
   • The JLPT is a standardized test that all companies use to measure the capabilities of potential employees. The test has five levels, with level 1 being the highest, so the minimum acceptable level of 2 indicates that you must be very proficient in Japanese to be accepted in most jobs.
   • You can take Japanese classes in schools in your home country or in Japan, if you are already there on a student or working holiday visa, or as an English teacher. Being immersed in the culture and language will also help you pick it up faster.
2. Search Japanese job boards. A good place to start looking for jobs available to foreigners in various industries in Japan is on one of the larger websites: GaijinPot, Jobs in Japan, and Daijob are three of the largest and most helpful sites. These websites offer a list of available jobs, and some allow you to upload your resume and set a job alert.
3. Make your resume stand out with a detailed file name. When applying for a job, or uploading your resume to a job site, such as Jobs in Japan, remember that potential employers will see thousands of uploaded resumes with default filenames such as [Last Name] resume. Try to make yours more striking by adding descriptions of your special abilities.
   • For example, if you are applying for a sales position, you could say your resume something like "Experienced_Two-language_Sales_CV" and your name. This gives you an edge over your competitors before the potential employer even opens your file.
4. Include a photo of yourself on your resume. While this may seem unusual for Western applicants, in Japan it is expected that you include a photo of yourself on your resume or cover letter. This helps give the employer a face and assess your professionalism.
   • Make sure your photo looks professional. You can try to take a professional portrait photo. Don't use a selfie or photo from a cell phone, or a photo that shows you wearing casual clothes, making a peace sign, or looking unkempt.
5. Start networking. If you are already in Japan, it is important that you connect with people who can help you find a career. More people find jobs in Japan through networking than through job boards.
   • Join a trade association in the industry you are interested in, such as the Japan Auto Manufacturers' Association (JAPA) or the Japan Electronics and Information Technologies Industries Association (JEITA). These associations provide industry news and publications that often include job openings. It's also a great way to network with people in your field.
   • The after work drinking culture is very important in Japan, so go to bars with professionals and industry groups of the industry you are interested in to get valuable personal time with people who can help you find work in your field.
6. Get an internship. Japanese internships are more like mentorships. Often times, the intern is not only unpaid, but paid to work for a Japanese company, receive coaching, and receive advice and encouragement. This is a great way to gain Japanese work experience and make valuable network contacts.
   • You can search for internships online. The Kopra website specializes in East Asian companies offering internships. You can also use the connections of your university or trade association to help you find an internship. Some Japanese companies advertise foreign interns on platforms such as Craigslist.
   • To do an internship you need a CV and in some cases a cover letter.
   • You can do an unpaid internship of less than 90 days with a tourist visa, or a longer internship with a student or working holiday visa.
7. Prepare for an interview. Whether you're interviewing on Skype or in person, it's important to make a good first impression. You must dress appropriately in business attire to appear professional and prepared. Be aware of the differences between Western and Japanese cultural norms so that you don't accidentally seem offended or rude to the interviewer.
   • Be extremely polite. Use correct Japanese body language - bow, rather than shake hands, if the conversation is in person. Don't laugh too much, especially a broad smile that seems fake to Japanese or like a mask for shame or anger. Keep your hands out of your pockets, as this attitude indicates disobedience and arrogance in Japan.
   • Do not sit back, slurp, arrive too late or early, do not complain or ask the interviewer personal questions.
8. Apply for a work visa as soon as you are offered a job. After they hire you, your company will send you a COE. Bring it, your visa application, your valid passport, and a passport photo of yourself to your local Japanese embassy or consulate. If your application is approved, your passport will be returned to you with your visa in it. You have 3 months to enter Japan after your work visa has been issued.
   • If all your documents are in order, the average processing time is less than 5 days.
   • There are different types of work visas divided by occupation. Apply for the one who fits the job for which you were hired.