Job Search Overview

Obtaining employment in Japan requires both clearly stated, marketable skills directly related to the job being sought and personal introductions. With the right qualifications and connections, an interview may be only a formality. Without them, the best efforts may not be enough to even obtain an interview. Networking is the best approach for finding the right position. Employers rely heavily on referrals for foreign candidates. Japanese or Western contacts in Japan are highly advantageous when searching for employment. A significant increase in the use of executive search firms (or headhunters) since the early 2000s has provided much needed services to those without the necessary interpersonal connections. A personal introduction, however, still carries weight in Japan.

Company Websites

Both employers and candidates rely on Internet websites as recruiting tools. Japanese companies, like their foreign counterparts, realize the advantages of finding talented people online. Some of the employment websites are available in English but many are available only in Japanese. Employers use these websites extensively to identify qualified employees for both mid-hire and entry-level positions.

Internet sites not specific to a company

CareerCross
http://www.careercross.com/ (Japanese)
http://www.careercross.com/en/  (English)
CareerCross is a thorough, bilingual, online resource dedicated to jobs in Japan and Japan-related positions overseas. It lists a wide range of positions and candidates can search jobs by region, linguistic skills, education and work experience. It separates information by direct hires by companies or temporary services, offers introduction to jobs through headhunters or executive search firms, and shows a list of clients and career events. The site also includes a résumé/CV bank and tips on preparing information for the Japan market. Regular email updates on hot job openings customized for the recipient keeps job hunters well informed. Advice and tips on job hunting, using headhunters, articles and links to information about living and working in Japan make this an essential job-hunting tool. Furthermore, because most executive search firms and most major companies use CareerCross, this is a must-use site for job hunters in Japan.

CareerForum
http://www.careerforum.net/ (Japanese)
http://www.careerforum.net/job_search.asp?lang=E (English) (job board)
CareerForum (CFN), sponsored by DISCO International, Inc., is a career portal created for Japanese-English bilinguals. On the website is a job board which supports search by degree (i.e. MBA), keywords and location. There is a CV/resume bank, email updates, free services, and information on and registrations for numerous career fairs. The CFN career fairs are customized to serve either Japanese nationals with English fluency or non-Japanese nationals with fluent or strong skills in Japanese and English. The fairs are not only in Japan but in Boston (the flagship career fair), London, Los Angeles and, of course, in Tokyo and Osaka. By registering for a career fair, candidates may get direct contact with companies participating in that fair.