Hi all, I am so excited that I’m actually able to make this post now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going into this with high/unrealistic expectations or anything, I’m just so glad to finally be moving into the next phase of my life now and would like to ask for some guidance on next steps.
I’ll try to keep this short so I’m going to be blunt. My main question I’d like to ask you is, how can I set myself up to be in Japan ASAP doing something that is remotely relevant to my degree/desired work field, which is web dev/software dev/IT?
Maybe you’re rolling your eyes but that really is the goal here. I should be graduating in a week or two and am now trying to find the quickest way to get my foot-in-the-door in the industry, in Japan.
I understand that doing one of these things on their own is hard enough and that doing both is even more so hard. Maybe triply so in the current economy. But, what would be the path to doing this, without first spending a few years in the industry in the country I live in (USA) like I’ve seen is commonly suggested? There must be a way since people have done it. I’m just trying to find out that way.
Is it first getting a low barrier-to-entry job in a potentially unrelated field and then networking while I’m there? Is it having a portfolio of relevant projects and being able to demonstrate the job listing’s desired skills? What if I did the first one while working on the second one? Is it simply being in Japan and having more language experience?
Thanks so much for your thoughts in advance. 🙏🏼
1 comment
> what would be the path to doing this, without first spending a few years in the industry in the country I live in (USA) like I’ve seen is commonly suggested?
Why don’t you want to do this?
Things like networking, Japanese language experience, being in the country, etc. are all going to be marginal gains for you – the main things employers are looking for are:
– A proven track record of competence (job experience);
– A compelling reason to go through the effort to sponsor a visa to hire you, instead of hiring a Japanese resident
There’s nothing stopping you from just applying to jobs right now and hoping for the best – there are a few entry level positions that pop up now and then (though I have a feeling – unproven, mind you – they still end up going to people with experience or who don’t need visa sponsorship).
Definitely get your portfolio of projects and resume into great – really great – shape, and learning Japanese won’t hurt, but the best thing you could do really is to get at least a year of experience in the US. For new grad roles in Japan you are competing against all the new grads already in Japan who speak native Japanese and don’t need a visa.
It’s not unheard of for people to go to Japan as English teachers or whatever, and then find work as developers, but it’s rare (especially if they don’t have any development experience) enough that I couldn’t recommend it as a plan.
Odds are you’re quite young. Japan isn’t going anywhere. A little patience now will pay off significantly in the long term.