Looking for advice (kinda job hunting)

7 comments

1. I have no advice to offer other than. If you can afford to keep studying, the language acquisition should go a bit quicker from now.

   I went from N4(failed) to N2(pass) within a year and when it comes to languages I’m dumb as a box of rocks!
   Despite having over 15 experience in my industry I know having N2 got me the interview for the job I took after studying..

2. >My actual level I would say is between n4 and n3.

   How did you score on the JLPT? Self assessed N3 is a meme for a reason…

   >My visa ends next April (I think I can extend it if keep studying) but my idea was to find a job to sponsor my residency.
   >As I’ve got a psychology degree I was focusing on the HR, but, due to my low japanese level it seems quite difficult (also I’m not native English speaker).

   That does make things more difficult. You’re incredibly unlikely to find an HR job unless you can find a multi-national from your home country with an office in Japan and even then someone who can speak/understand the language the local employees speak/understand and has knowledge of the actual employment laws is going to be preferred every single time over you.

   >Teaching could be an option but my English is not good good, I still making some mistakes when speaking.

   Aww, that’s so cute, you assume most English “teachers” are teaching English. Even cuter you assume most English “teachers” actually know English rather than winning the lucky sperm club and growing up speaking it (the number of actual English Teachers on here who could give you a review of the ability of most English “teachers” ability to use/understand/know the language would shock you – I know my daughter coming to me with concerns because her ALT was mixing tenses and dangling modifiers was astounding – most foreigners who learned the language as a 2nd or 3rd are better equipped to teach it than most people coming out of the Englishosphere’s public education system).

   Have you looked to see if there’s a market for your native language though?

3. non native english speaker so not eligible for teaching jobs I assume.

   well if you havent reached 2 years of study and you still have money left, you can still extend your study especially since your japanese skill is still around N3.

   HR jobs might be difficult, maybe you can extend your search to Recruiters specialized in foreign workers or real estate (especially those who deal with client from your country). I also have a friend who work in travel/tourism specialized for tourist from their homecountry.

   but in general I think your case is not easy. Did you research about what job you would be getting after language school before coming to Japan?

   Start reaching out to your country community like on facebook etc and ask for job opportunities.

4. I believe the maximum period of a student visa for language school is 2 years. So, continuing your language studies would be an option, if you’re able to.

   Most job opportunities usually require N1 proficiency, but some may be fine with N2. That’s would be the minimum target level that you should try to achieve to have any reasonable opportunities.

   Most people leverage on their existing skills and experiences accumulated. If you have any, look into making connections into the field that you’d like to get into, and sell your strengths. It may open some doors to you. If you don’t, perhaps look into acquiring skills in the field that you would like to work in over the next year.

   What’s your native language? Perhaps that could be something you might be able to use.

5. Have you actually took JLPT test before?
   Either way, my advice is to continue studying until you get N2, if possible N1. Because most jobs require minimum of N2, and no, teaching is not an option if you’re not native speaker(or look asian).

6. If you have student visa, you can only work 28 hours a week. I suggest you to search part time jobs that you can practice your Japanese. If you need money, night shifts pay %25 extra. Unfortunately it is difficult to use your degree due to your Japanese level, you have to boost your Japanese to get a decent full time job in the future easier.

7. You may want to look into jobs in the Auto industry. Lots of companies (Toyota for example) manufacture parts, or even whole models of their cars in Mexico and could probably really use a Japanese-Spanish-English speaker!