Hello everyone,
I hope you're all doing well. I'm seeking advice from this community to help me restart my career in Japan, and I'd appreciate any insights or guidance you might have.
About Me: I am an HR professional with over a decade of experience in recruitment and talent management across various industries, including technology, telecom, and FMCG etc
The Situation: About two years ago, I moved to Tokyo with my husband, who secured an opportunity with a company here. While I was aware that restarting my career in Japan would be challenging, I underestimated the difficulty of finding opportunities without proficiency in Japanese. Most HR roles, especially in talent acquisition and management, require Japanese language skills, which I currently do not have. I attempted to learn Japanese, but found it extremely challenging to gain the required proficiency.
Current Status: I am a dependent of an HSP (Highly Skilled Professional) visa holder, which allows me to work part-time without restrictions and full-time with an offer from a company (I believe – I can then get a work permit to work full time without the need for additional sponsorship). Despite my efforts to network, apply to multinational companies, seek remote or freelance roles, and even volunteer to stay active professionally, I have struggled to find a suitable opportunity. The gap on my resume is growing, and I am concerned about losing my professional identity and purpose.
What I'm Looking For: I am seeking advice on:
- Navigating the job market in Japan as a non-Japanese-speaking HR professional.
- Identifying companies (including startups or smaller firms) that might be open to hiring experienced HR professionals who are fluent in English.
- Alternative pathways within HR or related fields that might be more accessible.
- Creative solutions or experiences from others who have faced similar challenges.
If anyone has been in a similar situation or has insights on how to overcome these obstacles, I would be incredibly grateful for your advice. I'm eager to get back into the workforce and contribute meaningfully, so any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and help!
by keymaker787