Looking for advice from people knowledgeable about the job market in Japan. Basically, I’m looking to find a new job this year. I’d be looking for jobs related to translation and interpreting as well as international trade and commerce (think 貿易事務). I have a solid (10+ years) background in the former and some experience in the latter. Aside from my native language, which is not much of an asset, I speak fluent Japanese and English. Honestly, I would take anything that will pay at least 4m and sponsor a visa.
My current company has a soft rule that any PTO is to be taken with at least two weeks notice. I’m aware that I don’t *have* to follow this rule, but breaking it to take interviews would make it pretty clear to my employer that I’m up to something, which means it’s easier to just honestly inform them that I’m going to jump ship and use PTO for interviews. Worst case scenario, I don’t find a job within two months, which is the longest notice period available to me, and end up job-hunting while unemployed. Financially, I can take the hit. The tricky part is the timing. I have two scenarios in my mind:
1) Put in my notice now. I want out as soon as possible so I want the freedom to job hunt right now. The tradeoff is that if I quit now, I won’t be able to renew my Humanities visa through my current employer – it runs out in July. While I do hope to find a new place within six months, the job hunt is likely to be tough as I’m in my 30s, have only been with the current company for 1.5 years, my entire career before that being entirely freelance, and need to find work in the Kansai area. If I don’t find a job before the visa runs out, I’d be screwed.
2) Wait until April, renew my visa ASAP and then put in the notice. This would give me much more time to look for a new job, but I’m wary that starting a job hunt in April might put me at a disadvantage because of increased competition during that season.
So, might someone with more experience job hunting in Japan have some advice for me? Which option is better? Or is there a third option that I’m missing here?
3 comments
Before you quit your old one.
Best time is all the time.
I’d go with option 2.
Everyone is hiring all year long, so I don’t think there’s much of “best timing”. As you mentioned that you have 10+ years experience, I feel many positions are available throughout the year. Take your time and have options, rather than rushing into the next best job.
A lot of the companies are able to conduct online interviews (even during lunch break), and are flexible for late evening interviews (after 6PM). I don’t think you’d need to use your PTO for interviews, but final rounds of interviews, they may ask you to come in – at that time you may need to use PTO but usually those interviews are at least two weeks out.
That said, my rule when changing jobs:
– Always have something in place before switching
– Use up PTO
– End amicable as possible
Good luck, OP!