The truth about working in Japan

[aetherium]

About me:
- 26 year-old British male.
- I have a a BA Degree in Design.
- 8 Years work experience in the UK (Sales, admin etc).
- 1.5 years private English teaching experience in Japan.
- I speak, read and write basic Japanese.

After almost 2 years in Japan, I have still not found full-time employment in any sector after applying to 100's of companies ranging from design to housekeeping, with very little or no response from anyone, and if I am ever lucky enough to get a response, it is always the same "we regret to inform you that your application has been "unsuccessful" excuse or that I am "under qualified" or "inexperienced." I have even tried finding a job teaching full-time, but every single interview is the bloody same; I turn up, and I am greeted by another 50 applicants (no exaggeration) applying for the same job. Ridiculous to say the least. Once I got an interview with a teaching school close to where I live, and when i got there applicants were queuing down the street to get in! Another non-teaching job interview I got was for a financial adviser position in Asakasa. Sounded great. Not. To cut a long story short, they expected me to work purely on an insulting commission basis 10 hours a day Monday to Friday cold calling foreign clients which, by the way, I had to find myself with no base salary, and I had to buy my own computer for the office! Naturally I told them where to go. Finally, I got a part-time job in a guest house in Roppongi as a cleaner and assistant importer. That jobs was ok for the first few months, but as time went by, they started cutting my hours more, expecting me to do more, and what really sent me over the edge, they wanted to start paying me less and less to the point where they offered me \3000 for 5 hours work compared to \10,000 for 6 hours work! The owner was going senile and had the patience of elephant on a rampage, which definitely didn't help. Naturally I left.

My conclusion so far - An insult! I feel like my intelligence and moral character is constantly being insulted! Finding an honest job as a foreigner in Japan in my own experience has been a complete nightmare! So now I want to advise others on what they're likely to expect.

Call me unlucky, call me foolish, but I have searched and waited so patiently with no success.

Don't get me wrong. Japan is a wonderful country in terms of culture etc, but it seems to me if you are expecting to easily find work here without at least speaking the language to business level 2 or above, then you're in for a long and expensive journey to nowhere.


The moral of the story is - What can you do that a Japanese person can't?


Would be interesting to here from others with similar stories

[KansaiBen]

Don't get me wrong. Japan is a wonderful country in terms of culture etc, but it seems to me if you are expecting to easily find work here without at least speaking the language to business level 2 or above, then you're in for a long and expensive journey to nowhere.


The moral of the story is - What can you do that a Japanese person can't?


Would be interesting to here from others with similar stories

Think about it, a Japanese person with a degree but has communicative English skills just above being able to ask directions and they want to work in the UK as if they were back home in Japan. What kind of luck do you think they would have finding a job there? And you expect to be able to work in Japan with only basic Japanese.

[z-flo]

Is it fair to consider your story as something everyone can expect to happen? I have little to no confidence in my Japanese (probably at JLPT-3 level), and I found a full-time job within three weeks of moving. Can I also ask exactly how many places you've applied to? If you're okay with English-based work, there are a LOT of places.

[NalgasCQ]

KansaiBen

I agree. So, perhaps the OP could have been entitled: "The Truth About Working Anywhere as an Immigrant".

[franck]

About me:
- 26 year-old British male.
- I have a a BA Degree in Design.
- 8 Years work experience in the UK (Sales, admin etc).
...

My conclusion so far - An insult! I feel like my intelligence and moral character is constantly being insulted! ...

My opinion is that you're the one who's insulting yourself.

If you had some self-esteem, you would already have started your own business in Japan with the help of your past experience and current expertise.

Or maybe you lack some creativity?
Maybe you think it's damn cool to beg for work when you could simply create your own job?

Think about it.

[kiwicool]

Thats pretty rough man.Japan is a tough place to be when things work against you.You weren't specific in where and how many jobs you have applied for but 2 years is a fair time to have little success.Ive been considering going back to teach and i'm alot older than you.Dosen't look promising,but i could probably go back to my old company and thats about my only chance from what i'm seeing.Have you tried kids schools?Many people seem to do well with privates also,and in fact can make a living from this.I doubt the language ability is going to make much difference at the dizzy ranks of eikaiwa either,which is about most peoples lot with the basics ie some/no experience,a B.A. limited nihongo etc.
I see the fingers are already starting to point from the other posters as expected.Criticism is a good tool if it can open the eye or open opportunity one did not consider.

[Gaijin 06]

Think about it, a Japanese person with a degree but has communicative English skills just above being able to ask directions and they want to work in the UK as if they were back home in Japan. What kind of luck do you think they would have finding a job there? And you expect to be able to work in Japan with only basic Japanese.

Japan is not a theme park?

[aetherium]

My opinion is that you're the one who's insulting yourself.

If you had some self-esteem, you would already have started your own business in Japan with the help of your past experience and current expertise.

Or maybe you lack some creativity?
Maybe you think it's damn cool to beg for work when you could simply create your own job?

Think about it.

I would love nothing more than to start my own business. Maybe my own cycling shop (I love cycling). However, the problem is always money.

[KansaiBen]

KansaiBen

I agree. So, perhaps the OP could have been entitled: "The Truth About Working Anywhere as an Immigrant".

The truth of the matter is the OP is comparatively low-skilled in Japan. In two years he has been an English teacher, telephone marketer and worked in a guesthouse and also worked for an importing company- that is more than most people do in a lifetime . The skills he has are not really in demand and in the case of English teachers hes competing with 50 other people for low paying jobs.

The experience he gained in the UK is next to useless here without decent Japanese skills or any particular skills over and above what a japanese person can offer.

[NalgasCQ]

I would love nothing more than to start my own business. Maybe my own cycling shop (I love cycling). However, the problem is always money.

That is a START!! You have an idea, now make a plan... I mean, that you like cycling. How about meeting cycling club members... I am sure there are many to choose from. Meet, befriend, and hint that you are looking for rewarding jobs. Many jobs work through references rather than outright applications. At least that is the way I got my job... a friend introduced me. Don't need money to join a recreational club.

[KansaiBen]

I would love nothing more than to start my own business. Maybe my own cycling shop (I love cycling). However, the problem is always money.

The problem will likely also be a visa- are you on a spouse visa or PR?

[kiwicool]

Thats pretty rough man.Japan is a tough place to be when things work against you.Ive been considering going back to teach and i'm alot older than you.Dosen't look promising,but i could probably go back to my old company and thats about my only chance from what i'm seeing.Have you tried kids schools?Many people seem to do well with privates also,and in fact can make a living from this.I doubt the language ability is going to make much difference at the dizzy ranks of eikaiwa either,which is about most peoples lot with the basics ie some/no experience,a B.A. limited nihongo etc.Good luck to you my son.

[franck]

I would love nothing more than to start my own business. Maybe my own cycling shop (I love cycling). However, the problem is always money.

With some creativity and some thinking, you could find a business idea that requires little money to start.

For example, here is an idea after a 5 seconds brainstorming session : become a guide for western tourists in Japan. Show them your best cycling trails for a certain amount of money. Either they bring their bikes or you do a partnership with a rental shop.
No need to speak Japanese since your clients are tourists.
You could even get paid by hotels/ryokans for providing them with clients.

Now, it's your life, so it's up to you to use your brain

[yukon988]

- I have a a BA Degree in Design.
- 8 Years work experience in the UK (Sales, admin etc).

Design of what?
What did you sell in the UK?

[aetherium]

Design of what?
What did you sell in the UK?

Graphic Design. Websites, 3D etc.
I worked in a cycling/automotive parts store in the UK

[aetherium]

With some creativity and some thinking, you could find a business idea that requires little money to start.

For example, here is an idea after a 5 seconds brainstorming session : become a guide for western tourists in Japan. Show them your best cycling trails for a certain amount of money. Either they bring their bikes or you do a partnership with a rental shop.
No need to speak Japanese since your clients are tourists.
You could even get paid by hotels/ryokans for providing them with clients.

Now, it's your life, so it's up to you to use your brain

Thank you for your advice I will try and look at other alternatives.

[Gaijin 06]

The truth of the matter is the OP is comparatively low-skilled in Japan. In two years he has been an English teacher, telephone marketer and worked in a guesthouse and also worked for an importing company- that is more than most people do in a lifetime.

Do you teach comphrension skills, or how to read English? The OP never took the "telephone marketer" job - he simply went for an interview.

And do you really think most people have less than 3 or 4 jobs in their entire lifetime? That's so patently ridiculous it would only have come from you, Glumski or Scipio.

[yukon988]

With some creativity and some thinking, you could find a business idea that requires little money to start.

For example, here is an idea after a 5 seconds brainstorming session : become a guide for western tourists in Japan. Show them your best cycling trails for a certain amount of money. Either they bring their bikes or you do a partnership with a rental shop.
No need to speak Japanese since your clients are tourists.
You could even get paid by hotels/ryokans for providing them with clients.

Now, it's your life, so it's up to you to use your brain

And you could use your Design training to set up a website for advertising. You can get web hosting accounts for 500~1000円 a month these days.

[franck]

And you could use your Design training to set up a website for advertising. You can get web hosting accounts for 500~1000円 a month these days.

Agreed ... since I'm a freelance webdesigner myself.

As for the business idea above, you could set up a website where people could book online, even with online payment.

Also, you could think of different themes/routes so that you have past clients come again.

You could even set up a cycling/dating service in order to bring together cyclists of the opposite gender during short trips.

The possibilities are almost infinite.

[Glenski]

And do you really think most people have less than 3 or 4 jobs in their entire lifetime? That's so patently ridiculous it would only have come from you, Glumski or Scipio.

Leave me out of this, you moron.

[gaijin ga iru]

Have you applied to the Big Four eikaiwa? Are you willing to relocate?

If your situation continues, consider going home and regrouping. If you do so with the intention of returning to Japan, take as many Japanese courses as you can.

[Gaijin 06]

Leave me out of this, you moron.

The truth hurts eh?

[Ken44]

....it seems to me if you are expecting to easily find work here without at least speaking the language to business level 2 or above, then you're in for a long and expensive journey to nowhere.


The moral of the story is - What can you do that a Japanese person can't?

Of course.

Why would anyone think otherwise?

... perhaps the OP could have been entitled: "The Truth About Working Anywhere as an Immigrant".

Good point.

[KansaiBen]

Of course.

Why would anyone think otherwise?

or why would someone hire him just because he's a foreigner?

[well_bicyclically]

About me:
- 26 year-old British male.
- I have a a BA Degree in Design.
- 8 Years work experience in the UK (Sales, admin etc).
- 1.5 years private English teaching experience in Japan.
- I speak, read and write basic Japanese.

from another site....
"Teach in sunny Malaysia. F/T Native-English Teachers wanted by ELS Language Centres Malaysia. Government visa requirements: University degree, a TEFL certificate, 2yrs EFL/ESL teaching experience, 25-50yrs old. Excellent terms and conditions apply. ELS Malaysia is committed to staff professional development. Only teachers currently living and working in Japan will be interviewed. Send resumes to ...."

sounds perfect for you!!!

[wasDOUGLAS]

The truth hurts eh?

Ouch...

Must remind myself to stay on your good side.

[lyzard]

Think about it, a Japanese person with a degree but has communicative English skills just above being able to ask directions and they want to work in the UK as if they were back home in Japan. What kind of luck do you think they would have finding a job there? And you expect to be able to work in Japan with only basic Japanese.

Think about it? He did! That's what his post is about. His whole message is that it is difficult to find a job without sufficient language skills.
Here, I'll quote the OP again for you so that you can get an elemental grasp of what he is saying:

The moral of the story is - What can you do that a Japanese person can't?

[well_bicyclically]

Think about it? He did! That's what his post is about. His whole message is that it is difficult to find a job without sufficient language skills.
Here, I'll quote the OP again for you so that you can get an elemental grasp of what he is saying:

The moral of the story is - What can you do that a Japanese person can't?

the OP is sad ______!

he has invested 2 years/1.5 years working in this country and expects to be treated like someone who has been here for 26 years, with the promise of sticking around for 50 more. He cannot even see passed his own eyelashes, and he has been dealt with accordingly.

[KansaiBen]

Think about it? He did! That's what his post is about. His whole message is that it is difficult to find a job without sufficient language skills.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense would see this is self evident.

Another whining Pom who can't understand why he cant get a break here. He hasnt just had one job in two years but when looking for work seems to be throwing mud at a wall and seeing what sticks.

[Gaijin 06]

Those that can, teach. Those that can't, end up as Finance Majors.

LOL !!! Too funny.