Basically looking advice and reassurance because I have anxiety about finding a job and working here lol.
I’m graduating from an IT senmon next April (specifically app development) and starting my shuukatsu but feeling kinda down since I’ll be 27 when I graduate(and living on shinsotsu salary while in my late 20s sigh). Already compiling a list of companies that does app development AND accepts international students and has no age limit for shinsotsu but the choices are limited(on sites like mynavi, etc).
First question, I have N2 but I would be more comfortable in an English speaking environment, do I look for gaishikei? Because I’m dreading going to a Japanese company at this moment.
Side note: I’ve attended seminars on job hunting and I was shocked because they’re like knock 3 times on the door, don’t sit unless you are told?? And wear heels, tie your hair, have minimal makeup etc. Are interviews actually this strict? I’ve also heard from other female classmates that they’re going on a diet to make a better impression, and I’m like surely the IT industry won’t care but I’m not so sure anymore. (Navigating life in japan as a woman is also a whole other conversation)
My background is kinda weird, from SEA, went to the states for community college for 2 years, didn’t graduate, went back to my country, worked in a non-IT company for ~2 years, and then came here. Tbh coming from a 3rd world country, I feel like I don’t have much choice compared to other foreigners, heard horror stories about people getting trapped in black companies. But I also speak fluent English so maybe I’d get a little more at a gaishikei? The problem is I’m stuck somewhere between the traditional student route and the foreigner route, if I’m to be compared with other Japanese candidates, I’m behind just because of the language, but compared to other foreigners, I don’t have prior experiences or a bachelor’s (I have a hard time finding entry level jobs that doesn’t require a bachelor’s, and jobs postings for foreigners seems to be mostly mid-level). Someone please tell me I’m just overthinking lol
I guess I’m feeling some anxiety since I don’t have a typical route and I don’t have anyone around me who I can ask for help/advice. If there’s someone willing to answer career related questions or just questions app development it would be much appreciated. If anyone have similar experiences or just want to talk, my dms are open too.
7 comments
Maybe you can take a look at sites like career cross or daijob?
These are specialized in bilingual job positions. I often see offers where they claim to not care about 学歴→学歴不問. Also do you have a git hub profile? That might heighten your chances.
My interviews have been video calls so i cant say but at previous jobs i can tell you that the japanese company interviewers will prob judge you if you deviate from the strict expectations. They even judge you on what pattern your suit has if any. Lol.
Have you considered getting on Linkedin? Many recruiters are looking for bilingual IT ppl. They help with resume and interview advice as well as connecting you w companies and setting up interviews. That’s how i got my current job.
I was on shinsotsu salary at 31. First job as a Haken only got me 3.2M per year. Second job as a semiconductor equipment worker started off at 4.5M / year and by the time I quit that second job, I was maybe 5.6M (if you count 25 hours of overtime per month).
While it may be disheartening to get a shinsotsu salary, I would say keep looking for opportunities while you are working and figure out how you can maximize your benefit with company resources.
If a company offers money for training or classes, take it for your own benefit, company’s benefit comes second.
If the company allows you to go to conferences, be sure to go and try to meet new connections.
(What training programs and conferences available to employees I think are good questions to bring up during interviews)
If you learn some new coding on your job, update it in your personal github, without directly copy pasting it of course.
With all that said, its possible your first job may not be the best in terms of compensation or pay grade but get some skills, experience and a feel for how the work world works and you should be able to change jobs enough times to boost your salary to satisfactory levels.
I can say that not all Japanese companies have weird strict rules like this. You might want to consider going to a smaller company. I work for a company with 60 employees across Japan, Thailand, and China and I definitely did not have to do any of that stuff for my job interview. My boss and I had a one-on-one interview and he was wearing a T-shirt. I think usually jobs that don’t have strict requirements also have a “free” dress code so I think if you look for those it won’t be as traditional.
I was gonna be that ass who says to use the search function to find out a ton of info related to job hunting in IT. Then I read your side note and stepped back… Fuuuuuck. I have actually taught some of these shuushoku courses. The knock 3 times really got me. I totally feel for you OP. Being young in Japan looking for a job – no matter your nationality or background- is not easy. My advice is to stick to your plan. There will be people along the way that say you cant do it. Pay no mind and carry on. Believe in yourself. It takes time to build a career. Dont expect it to happen overnight. Spend some years in the trenches and build your experience and grit. Good things will happen in time. Stick to your plan!!!
Go get’em
My case is not typical, but I definitely advise you to try recruiting companies, especially places that tend to go more on “different” positions, like startups and foreign companies . I got mostly acceptable-looking positions proposed, and I landed my job as a suggestion by the recruiter, which is also nice. Some foreigners appear here like this, because they got recommended applying here too. Sometimes is not about the position itself but what you can work out with a recruiter.
In any case, age is a factor that will affect the companies you probably don’t want to go to. Experience might sting a little on the salary part at the start, but you will have to start anyway.
Good luck on your hunt!
With the disclaimer the company for which I work isn’t a traditional Japanese company.
I’ve interviewed people in the past for IT roles, and none of that really makes a difference. The same goes for my colleagues who’ve interviewed people. Just look and act as your normal self.
What matters is if you can do what you say you can do and have some problem solving skills when you hit things you can’t.