The Seven Best Places to Find a Job in Japan as a Foreigner
If you’re a foreigner looking to work in Japan, you’ll be happy to know that the job market for international workers has been expanding rapidly in recent years. While finding a job in Japan can be challenging, especially if you don’t speak the language, there are more options and opportunities than many people imagine. As the country’s population ages and the economy continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for workers from overseas to fill the gaps in both skilled and unskilled jobs.
In this article, we will highlight the top seven internet locations and platforms that can help you find a job in Japan while telling you about tons of other sites. Whether you have recently graduated, entered the country on a working holiday visa, are a language student looking for a side job, or are a seasoned professional, these resources can help you land your dream job in Japan. So, let’s dive in the best places for foreigners to work in Japan!
1. JOB BOARDS
A job board aggregates job listings from various sources. Users can filter job listings based on their preferences, such as location, industry, or salary. Many job boards also provide additional resources and tools to help job seekers in their job search, such as resume-building tools, career advice, and interview tips.
GaijinPot is a job search website and online community for foreigners living and working in Japan. It was founded in 1999 and has since become one of the most popular and trusted resources for foreigners seeking employment in Japan. GaijinPot features job listings across a broad range of industries, including IT, engineering, hospitality, education, and more. This makes it a great resource for foreigners with diverse skill sets and backgrounds. The website has intuitive search functions. It also offers useful resources and guides on living and working in Japan. The website contains reviews of potential employers and features a community of foreigners in Japan who share information and offer advice to others.
Daijob is particularly focused on bilingual professionals. This site has thousands of job postings from all kinds of companies and recruiters. Most of them are in Japanese, and often high fluency (usually JLPT N1 level) is required. But you can filter by language requirements and other criteria. Daijob’s website is available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. The website provides detailed information about potential employers, including company profiles, employee reviews, and salary information. Daijob also offers networking opportunities, including job fairs and seminars, which can be a great way to connect with potential employers and other professionals in your industry.
CareerCross is a bilingual, popular job search website that connects foreign professionals with job opportunities in Japan. They usually have over 5,000 opportunities available in sales, marketing, engineering, clerical work, and other professional positions. A lot of the jobs on this site are well-paying. In addition, many of the job postings are also bilingual, with both English and Japanese job descriptions. Aside from job postings, CareerCross has a scouting feature to help you get discovered by employers, plus resources for job search information, resume building, and interview skills.
This popular job search engine in multiple languages has many entry-level offers, but those with advanced Japanese knowledge and skills may find high-level positions too. Employers and recruiting services post their listings directly here, but you may need to go through a recruiter to get more info on the company and the job you want to apply for. Keep in mind that JobsinJapan has fewer listings than big job search engines, so make sure to check back regularly. JobsinJapan allows job seekers to read reviews of potential employers and features a community forum where job seekers can connect with other foreigners in Japan.
Indeed Japan, part of Indeed, is one of the largest job boards in Japan, and it features job listings from a wide range of industries, such as IT, hospitality, and education. The platform also offers various filters that can be used to tailor your search based on your preferences, including location, salary, and job type. Additionally, Indeed Japan provides resources and tools for job seekers, such as resume-building tools and career advice.
Other recommendable options are Career Engine (for bilingual jobs), Japan Careers Program (placement services to foreign students and recent graduates seeking internships or full-time employment), Craigslist (classifieds platform), Mynavi Global (with comprehensive English support), and Wantedly (social recruiting platform that focuses on company culture and values with an emphasis on start-ups). Finally, do not underestimate the power of LinkedIn which has become increasingly popular in Japan. A LinkedIn profile is a must.
2. RECRUITING AGENCIES
As the number of foreign workers in Japan increases, more and more recruitment agencies are specializing in hiring foreigners. These agencies offer job hunting and job-changing support and are well-informed about acquiring visas and other matters that foreign workers worry about. They deal with companies that are already used to hiring foreigners, those that are actively looking to hire more foreigners, and those that want to hire more foreigners.
One disadvantage of using these agencies is that they usually have fewer job postings compared to larger recruitment agencies. To increase your chances of getting hired, it is recommended to register with multiple agencies. Recruitment agencies that specialize in foreign workers can offer advice on visa procedures, writing resumes, and giving support for Japanese language job interviews.
Recruit Agent is the largest recruitment agency in Japan, operated by Recruit Career, the largest HR company in Japan. It offers over 200,000 job openings from both Japanese and overseas companies, with a focus on multilingual skills and high-paying jobs. The agency provides comprehensive job-seeker support, including resume proofreading, career consulting, job interview skills training, and its original “AGENT Report” for detailed company information.
Spring Tenshoku Japan belongs to Adecco from Switzerland, the world’s largest recruitment agency. They offer job placement services for bilingual professionals across various industries, such as IT, finance, engineering, and more. Their services include assistance with job hunting, resume preparation, and interview coaching. They have a team of experienced consultants who can provide advice in English, Japanese, and other languages, depending on the needs of the job seeker.
Please also check out (often only in Japanese, though): Jopus Career (uses a “connecter” in the applicant company for job seekers), JAC Recruitment, Nippon仕事.com (emphasis on ex-pats in the Kanto region, Type Career Agent (IT, web, manufacturing, one focus on women), En Agents (with one arm focused on women and the other one on mid-career professionals), Doda Recruitment Agency, Robert Walters Japan and Hays Japan (internationally well-connected agencies), Massmedian (jobs in mass media, advertising, web industries), Foods Labo Agent (for jobs in the food industry), and Asean Career (specialized in applicants from ASEAN countries).
So, don’t be afraid to start exploring these resources, jump right into the market and get one step closer to landing your dream job in Japan!