Experienced software dev not getting interviews

7 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

   —

   **Experienced software dev not getting interviews**

   Hello!

   I’m applying to some jobs on TokyoDev and JapanDev as an experienced software dev (8+ years). Based on what I’ve read here, I should not be getting any problems with interviews considering my years of experience and skillset (Golang, Python, GCP/AWS). I’ve also spoken at many conferences (one large one and a few mid-smaller ones) and have contributions to many open source projects.

   My experience cuts across many different kinds of companies (early startup, unicorn, Fortune 500) and I did jump around roles a lot due to startups dying out or my sub-team being cut because of budget (I was never fired nor put on any kind of performance improvement plan (PIP)). I was a senior and then tech lead for a European unicorn and now currently a senior eng at another YC company. However, I’m not getting any interviews or responses and have received one rejection so far (from PayPay). Are my short stints considered a red flag for Japanese companies?

   Thanks!

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2. I got an auto decline from paypay as well and I was a very good match for the role. The few interviews I got, I managed to dig some info about the team composition and it’s alot of SEA hires. Most likely, these companies think they can’t afford you, and it’s true, most can’t. the companies I interviewed with were offering 1/3 my current pay. And I’m underpaid in the Us. Most likely they want to hire English speaking people from cheap labor countries.

3. A bit of a generalization but mid-career job seekers tend to have it a bit harder than college applicants in Japan. Companies want to take in people fresh and mold them to fit the role, they may be apprehensive to someone who’s been molded somewhere else. Also if they can hire somebody cheaper from another country then they will.

4. What’s your visa status? A lot of companies don’t want to deal with people who don’t already have a visa.

   Other than that, are you indicating your desired salary when applying? You might be running into a gap between what you are already earning and what they have budgeted for these positions.

5. Just a general comment, but have you tried or considered trying to contact any recruiters on LinkedIn? Also, you can sign up with recruiter sites like Robert Walters, Michael Page, and Daijob, and post your resume there. They may reach out if there are jobs that match your profile. My experience recently has been much better through those channels as opposed to applying cold through Tokyo/JapanDev. It seems like once you have a communication channel open with recruiters, they’re far more likely to take a serious look at your resume. This also gives you a chance to explain things like your desired salary, in case you’re willing to take the cut from what you’re probably making now to what similar positions are worth in Japan.

6. One thing you *don’t* list in your qualifications is education. Do you have a degree?

   If you don’t that may well be a factor in your lack of interviews. A degree is one of the baseline requirements for a visa, so if you don’t have one companies may be deciding that it’s not worth the time to interview someone who it’s going to be difficult to get a visa for.

   It’s very much *possible* to get a visa without a degree. The rules are 10+ years of *relevant* experience, though the 10 year part can be flexible if your company is willing to go to bat for you. The issue is that going the experience route requires a lot more work on the part of both you and the company. So they need to *really* want you to go that route.

7. I’m in the same situation as you, searching since 8 month a job in Japan so here is some advice:
   – I missed 4 opportunities because I mention my actual salary, it was too high and it scared them off and they didn’t even bother to send an offer (I knew I would have way less and it was not a problem for me). Now when they ask about it I just lie and say something in there range.
   – recruiter is the best way to get into some interview, I got only 1 interview with japan-dev/Tokyo-dev. Robert Walters will propose you some contract job at some point, for Japanese people it’s the worst but at least you can have a visa and search for a permanent job when you’ll be there.
   – wait at least 6 month before reapplying or you’ll be blacklisted for 2 year by the company.

   Good luck!