Times Of TIU

Writer: Samantha P.
Editor: Jonathan S. 
Translator: Momoka T.

Job hunting, also known as “shuukatsu” (就職活動) in Japan, can be a very overwhelming process, especially for us international students who are trying to overcome Japan’s cultural and language barriers. It is a common practice in Japan to find a job before graduation. Most of the students start a year or one semester before their graduation, but starting early can make a huge difference. Starting early can help you gain valuable experience, reduce stress, and might eventually land you a job offer that aligns with your goals.

In Japan, most full-time jobs follow a specific hiring timeline and expect international students to have a certain level of Japanese proficiency. By starting early, you’ll give yourself time to understand the process, develop your skills, and take full advantage of the school’s support systems.

Know Yourself First

Before looking into job postings, take a moment to understand yourself. What are your strengths? What kind of work motivates you? Which values matter most in your future workplace?

There are different ways to know yourself, such as taking a personality test. There are a lot on the Internet, or if you want a more official way, you can search マイナビ (mainabi). This is a website that is used by Japanese students as well for their personality test and other mock tests. You can also do a counseling session with the career center to better understand what career paths suit you. Knowing yourself helps when writing your 自己PR (self-promotion) and 志望動機 (motivation for applying), which are important in Japanese job applications. 

Create Your Resume Early (Japanese and English)

Writing your English CV and resume, also known as “rirekisho” (履歴書), is one of the first things you need to do to start job hunting. TIU has a template for both languages. You can find the samples at the POTI library. This will help guide you on how to do the formatting and contents. Both have different templates, so make sure to draft both resumes. 

Start by listing your part-time jobs, volunteer experiences, school activities, and certifications that you’ve earned. You can update and modify your resume for different companies and industries as your experience grows. Employers can tell that you are well-prepared and serious when you have a well-written resume.

Use Career Center Support.

TIU’s Career Center will be your biggest support during your job hunting. In order to get feedback on your resume, entry sheets, and mock interviews, it is important to schedule regular meetings with them.

The Career Center also hosts workshops about Japanese business manners, interviews, and job fairs. Whether you need help when researching a company or understanding “Keigo” (敬語), the staff are always ready to support you.

Gain Work & Leadership Experience

Having real-world experience is very crucial. There are school leadership and credit-based internships that the school provides to the students. The Student Leadership Internship (SLI) is composed of Peer Assistant (PA), Learning Commons (LC), Campus Globalization (CG), and Conversation Partners (CP). These organizations will help you enhance your teamwork and communication skills. With these experiences, you can share them during your interviews, such as showcasing your initiative, leadership, problem-solving, and other traits that companies look for in a student.

Joining these internships is not a must, but if you want to find a diverse community, you can also join clubs or circles in TIU. You may also try to look for outside school internships or volunteer groups. Participating in these different activities will not only make you a good candidate for the company, but you might also find what your interests are and what you might be good at.

Build Key Skills

Language skills are essential in the Japanese job market. The majority of jobs require at least JLPT N2-level proficiency or business-level Japanese. Studying regularly and practicing your keigo is a must for a formal interview. 

Aside from language skills, learn digital tools that are commonly used in your target skills. For example, learn different Microsoft skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or programming skills if you are interested in working in the IT industry. Having these skills will help you stand out and be more confident when it comes to technical interviews.

Practice Interviews in Both Languages

Interviews can be intimidating, especially if it’s not your first language. To make sure you won’t be nervous and deliver your answers clearly, practice your 自己PR (self-promotion) and 志望動機 (motivation for applying) multiple times. Make sure to do in-depth research about the company and ask a question that shows your interest in the company.

To be able to get a better idea of what to expect during an interview, schedule a mock interview with the Career Center. Practicing regularly can help you adjust and refine your answers. Make sure to practice your posture, tone, and eye contact because these details are important when it comes to interviews. In Japanese interviews, make sure to dress formally and practice how to enter and exit during your in-person interview.

Join Job Fairs & Events

Attending job fairs such as the Tokyo Summer/Winter Career Forum, Global Leader Job Fair, and the TIU Job Fair. These events help you connect with HR, especially companies that are looking to hire international students.

You can join different 説明会 (briefing sessions) for companies that give you an idea of what the company does and what kind of person they are looking for. It is important to join as early as possible so that you can apply to companies that want to do early hiring. 

Start Networking Early

Although you might feel awkward with networking at first, it can open up a lot of opportunities. You may reach out to alumni on LinkedIn to ask about their career paths and experience. 

There are many networking events you can join by searching online. An example would be startup events. If you are interested in looking at that field, you can connect with founders and more. Joining different networking events can provide discussion and advice that you won’t find on company websites.

Conclusion

Looking for a job doesn’t have to be stressful or hurried, especially if you start early. Make the most of your time at TIU to improve your abilities, gain experience, and build your resume. Utilize the school’s Career Center, POTI Library (resume templates), internships, and many more. If you are consistent and strategic, you can find a job that fits your values and ambitions. Being prepared is your greatest asset, whether you’re going for a local startup or a multinational company. The journey might be long, but it’s worth it, and you don’t have to do it alone.