Basically I’m tired of online recruiters and would like to do it the old fashioned way. Going into an office and talking with someone. Even if I have to pay them. I didn’t study a lot of Japanese before moving here due to time constraints. So my Japanese level is 0.
Does anyone have any experience with those type of recruiters? Any recommendations or advice? Do i need to search for recruiters based on my skill set? What should i be typing to even find in office recruiters (in japanese).My Google searches so far have pointed me towards the online variety.
Thank you in advance for any information/advice.
Edit: The only recruiters that have contacted me are for English teaching Jobs, and I’m trying to break away from that industry as soon as possible. I’ve been doing it for the past 7 years and I can’t start a family on an Eikawa salary (I can try, but the struggle wouldn’t be fair for the kids).
I’ve spent a lot of time working in the customer service industry, computer technician, and even a QA Tester at a game company. None of these are skills that are in High demand here.
My time is limited these days. So realistically, I can focus on only one thing. Do I focus on trying to upgrade my Japanese to N3/N2, or do I focus on a skill that is highly sought after (Such as python/web development/etc). I picked the latter, but not sure if it’s the right choice.
This is why I am considering paying for a recruiter.
10 comments
1. Under no circumstances do you ever pay a recruiter for their services, as a prospective job applicant.
2. Even online ones you meet on linked, if they have an office or are part of some major recruiting firm like recruit or indeed, they should be able to schedule in person appointments. I have met 2 recruiters in person when they scouted me online.
3. You might want to get your Japanese level above 0 not because of communicating with recruiters, but 99.98% of jobs in Japan will require at bare minimum intermediate level N2.
Just ask the recruiter to meet in person?
I don’t think you will get very far with searching in Japanese for Japanese services, but having no Japanese ability to actually speak to them.
Have you tried finding some jobs you’re interested in via reading jds online, seeing what recruitment company is offering them, and reaching out to schedule an in person appointment?
I don’t really see any advantage of talking with a recruiter in their office instead of online, but I went to Robert Half office in the past, and other agencies should also have an office for you to visit if you wish. The process at their office did not differ much from an online meeting either, just some question about my expertises and expectations, and filling out a short form.
As for Japanese requirement, it depends on your industry. I work in IT so I’m used to positions that don’t require Japanese. Some guys in my team speak zero Japanese and they don’t seem to be troubled by that.
Maybe Im wrong, but if your japanese is 0, it will be tough. Ive used them, but didnt go so well. Online ones were MUCH better, they got me interviews with big companies. In the end I got my job by myself (not suggested by the agent) using what the agent taught me.
Your best chance is looking for international companies as you cannot speak japanese while you learn japanese just in case.
Recruiters can only go so far… you need valuable skills for them to do anything for you. And it’s not a case of if you talked with them enough, but checking boxes of desired skills for their clients.
And recruiters tend to work for larger companies because they have the money to pay for them–many of which tend to demand higher skill requirements.
I’m one of those who broke from teaching English and now works as a programmer. I put nearly two years of study into it, got my Japanese up to N2, and got a great position because my skillset and Japanese ability allowed me to cast a wide net into the market. Recruiters didn’t do much for me; getting into the right programming circles and talking to folks, did however.
I actually prefer meeting people in person and often suggest a chat over coffee or lunch. Not many people are open to it, especially after covid but the occasionally meeting exists and is very appreciated.
You don’t even have to ask for an in person meeting. Just suggest an area and let the recruiter find a place to invite you. It has been said before and I will again, do not pay for anything, it is literally our job to offer the service for free to candidates and if you meet someone that takes their job seriously and wants to genuinely help you they will not think twice about whether to meet in person.
It is going to be very hard without Japanese skills or any other background besides English teaching. If you want to step up your game you will have to be at the very least at N2 level and be able to communicate in Japanese. JLPT does not test your speaking abilities, so you can have full score N1 on paper but if you cannot put that into speaking it won’t help much.
>My time is limited these days. So realistically, I can focus on only one thing. Do I focus on trying to upgrade my Japanese to N3/N2, or do I focus on a skill that is highly sought after.
I think you did the right thing by picking the latter. If your Japanese is 0 you’ll need YEARS of dedicated study to get your Japanese to a level where that alone will get you work (translator/interpreter/general office duties).
Tech isn’t easy to break into but you have a good chance of breaking into it with a year or so of dedicated study and you can learn a little Japanese on the side to make yourself a little more marketable.
Skils > Japanese
Agencies get their fee from their clients as in companies contracting them to introduce them candidates and hiring them. No need to pay for anything as a candidate.
If you do have financial flexibility, your best shot would be to attend a programming bootcamp such as LeWagon, those guys can get you in touch with startups who are flexible to hire junior devs. It is expensive though and requires 9 weeks of absolute commitment as in every day 0900AM 2000PM kind of study days or even more.
Alternatively you could go for the N2 but this would take time, minimum a year to two depending on your commitment. A school would be a must though and this does cost also.
Lastly you could also get an English teaching job while slowly studying in whatever you are interested in. This would at least provide you a financial and visa security and also time to get to your goal.
As for agencies, they are good recruiters but it does take a lot of time to filter though them. Boutique agencies are usually better as they try to focus on quality rather than volume.
I wish you all the best.
If you want to work with recruiters you need to get your Japanese to N2 at the very least. The majority of them have jobs that either need Japanese or heavy hard skills or both.
Honestly when it comes to choosing between the two just learn the language, you can find jobs utilizing what you’ve done in the past even if it’s not in high demand.
Getting the experience needed for the programming job is a massive grind, and in an increasingly over saturated industry too, and then there’s the risk of realizing you don’t like it which leaves you back to square one anyway.
Regardless, for the love of God please don’t pay a recruiter.