Recently in Result - Job Survery for foreigners in Japan Category

note: The vast majority thinks of employment opportunities for foreigners in Japan as limited. Most consider the required Japanese language skills as the highest hurdle to the job market.

1. Where to apply - 34%
2. Where to network - 19%
3. More specific job agencies - 15%
4. Language support in the application process - 10%
5. Interview training - 8%
6. Visa support - 4%
7. Others - 10%

Note: For most participants of the survey the difficulties began with locating the right companies to apply. Information like lists of foreign companies seems to be in high demand. Another need according to the participants is advice how and where to network to get the 'right' contacts. Many also mentioned a need for more diversified job agencies, especially such for lower positions.

Note: Even though 50% of survey participants said that their biggest obstacle in their job search in Japan are (insufficient) language skills, interestingly when the same participants were asked what they need most to make their job search a success 29% replied "connections" vs. 27% "language skills". Probably this reflects the thinking among some survey participants that it will never be possible to learn or master Japanese quickly enough. Therefore they might think that connections are more practical in the short term.
It's true that connections are very important in Japan be it in business in general or when searching for jobs. However, they can never completely replace the advantages and/or goodwill generated by speaking or at least trying to speak in Japanese.

1. Connections - 29%
2. Japanese language - 27%
3. Skills and experience - 24%
4. Financial ability - 7%
5. Information - 5%
6. Cutural awareness - 5%
7. Visa sponsorship - 2%

 

Note: 50% of survey participants listed Japanese language skills as the biggest obstacle in their job search. Improving Japanese language skills therefore is one key to success in Japan!

1. Japanese language - 50%
2. Cultural barrier - 13%
3. Discrimination - 7%
4. Lack of information - 7%
5. Mismatch of skills and experience - 7%
6. Visa sponsorship - 3%
7. Japanese people are not used to working with foreigners - 3%
8. Japanese employers not familiar with visa procedure - 3%
9. Economic downturn - 3%
10. No difficulty - 3%

Note: When survey participants were asked about difficulties in their job search there were many responses. However, when it comes to positive experiences almost half of the participants answered "none". This clearly depicts how tough the job search can be in Japan.

 

1. None - 46%
2. Employers appreciated my Japanese skills - 14%
3. Yes (but no specific description) - 11%
4. Employers liked my motivation to work - 7%
5. Some employers emphasized personality over language skills - 4%
6. Employers were impressed about the quality of my profile - 4%
7. Japanese people are normally polite and friendly - 4%
8. Employers liked my international experience - 4%
9. Employers provided useful additional information - 4%1
10. Visa sponsorship - 4%

Note: According to our survey the difficulty mentioned most when searching for jobs in Japan was language ability.
This difficulty actually has two components. Firstly, candidates have difficulty speaking at Japanese at a level their prospective employers desire. Secondly, candidates don't have access to all job information because most of it is only available in Japanese and very rarely in English or another foreign language for that matter.

 

1. Japanese language ability - 37%
2. Discrimination towards "Gaijin"- 30%
3. Lack of information - 10%
4. No difficulties - 10%
5. Not knowing where to get help - 3%
6. Visa issues - 3%
7. Culture "gap" - 3%
8. Age - 3%

Feeling frustrated searching for a job in Japan? Do you feel that nobody really understands your situation? Well, you are not alone! At job110.jp we have conducted a survey among foreign job seekers, the objective of which is two-fold. Firstly, we want to show you what kind of issues foreign job seekers encounter in Japan. Secondly, based on these findings we want to provide possible solutions to these issues to tackle the job search head on.

Profile of survey participants: Age, Japanese level, ideal salary...

Age: Foreigners 20 - 50 years of age

88% in the age bracket 25 - 45

Nationalities: British, American, German, Swiss, Chinese, Filipino,...

Professions: Engineer, English instructor, consultant, editor, unemployed, student,....