Some info about Rakuten?

[gajabha]

Any of you guys know about the Rakuten interview process ? Is it tough as Amazon/Google ?
How about the working environment and work-life balance ?
I might be called for an interview for the position of Software Engineer ,so any advice would be appreciated!

[Zilos]

I went for an interview with Rakuten (Play.com) in the UK for a business development manager position.

The process was as follows:
- Short telephone interview to get a few details and my skillset
- First interview was what they called an "Assessment center" of which you complete group exercises, one-to-one interviews with the hiring staff and competency based tests on the job. In my case, sales tests.
- Second interview which was to quiz you on your past experience and jobs.
- Job offer

I realise this whole process may be different for other countries but often these companies employ the same process across all countries.

Hope that helps.

[gajabha]

thank you for the tips.
I am wondering whether they ask for Business level Japanese there.Because my Japanese is not that good.

[Zilos]

thank you for the tips.
I am wondering whether they ask for Business level Japanese there.Because my Japanese is not that good.

I read a post somewhere saying Rakuten is one of the very few companies which have their employees all speak in English.

The Japanese are notorious for wanting to conduct their business decisions in Japanese from what I know but in terms of being a developer or engineer.. i'd say intermediate Japanese level would be acceptable to them.

[nichiai]

thank you for the tips.
I am wondering whether they ask for Business level Japanese there.Because my Japanese is not that good.

I recently went through the interview process of both Rakuten and Amazon in Tokyo. Amazon was definitely more technical than Rakuten, left me with a bad impression of Amazon.

Rakuten was 4 rounds in all, each getting slightly more technical, with 4th being non-technical with IT boss/HR. No questions in any round about Big O notation or sorting algorithms, like Amazons.

Maybe not good news for you, but all Rakuten's interviews were in Japanese. I was allowed to speak English for any technical things I couldn't say in Japanese. They may let you do the interview in English if you ask.

Looking at some of the Japanese employee/company review sites, Amazon scores pretty low for employeed satisfaction. Rakuten doesn't do much better though. Both companies seem to have an overtime culture.

[gajabha]

Ok.so...for a seniorC++/Java developer with 4-5 years of experience , whats the average salary range would be ?

[nichiai]

Ok.so...for a seniorC++/Java developer with 4-5 years of experience , whats the average salary range would be ?

I think you'd be looking at about 6.5 - 8.5 million, including bonus. They have a very strict pay structure / pay grades, take a look at the pay grades on their website. If you get the job and can show talent in the first year or 2, they appear to reward that. Again, you should look at some Japanese company /career comparison web sites.

If you have a job already, you're in a stronger bargaining position. I would say there are definitely better paid jobs out there, with shorter work hours.

[gajabha]

What about work hours?do you have to work till 10-11 ?
I am kind of in a trouble since my current employer going to
Assign me to a project in Okinawa and move my a** there .
I want to find a new company.Could you tell me other foreigner friendly companies where I can survive with my poor Japanese skills?
I am also tech savvy guy not just looking for place to survive but I like to enjoy my job too..