Job Discussion Forums

[Janiny]

Can anyone tell me why so many positions on offer insist that the job candidate already be in Japan?
If I were in Japan already, I would have some sort of business visa, and hence a job and sponsor already. I wouldn�t be looking for a new job. And if I were, and got that new job, wouldn�t they have to sponsor me for a new visa anyway?
What I mean is that they don�t seem to realize I can jump on a plane and be in Japan tomorrow. Being from a friendly, allied nation � I happen to know I�d get a visa on arrival. Sure it�s a tourist visa, but what�s the problem with that? Once hired, I could leave Japan for a day; get my new visa and return.
Please tell me what the problem is. I think I must be missing something here.

[cvmurrieta]

[Apsara]

For smaller companies with fewer employees, it's much easier for them if the candidates are in Japan already, with visas. A) there are plenty of people here married to Japanese who don't need to be sponsored by an employer for visas, and B) people change jobs all the time, and you can do so without having to get a new visa.

They are aiming at those candidates so they can hire someone who can start work straight away and so they don't have to go through the lengthy visa application process. They may also want someone who has been in Japan a while so knows a bit about how the system works here and isn't likely to turn around at the airport and go home due to culture shock- all kinds of reasons.

Of course employers want to meet a candidate in person, so the larger employers interview overseas, but a smaller company obviously can't afford to do that.

You will probably find that the majority of people posting on this forum who are in Japan came here either on spouse visas or with one of the large employers which interviews overseas- I did.

[cvmurrieta]

I agree with Apsara. It used to be back in the day (well, 1994 for me!) that quite a few of the smaller employers would hire you sight unseen (happened to me!). Many would post ads for jobs to begin 3-4 months down the road.

Now, it is a different story. There are many that are waiting two months until they need someone or until they "urgently" need someone.

However, the one eikaiwa I interviewed at on Monday is still conducting phone interviews with overseas applicants. I think the key to finding at least an ample amount that don't require the applicant to be in Japan is to look at the job postings on a variety of ESL web site.

Of course, there is always Interac to get one started here!

[Glenski]

[cvmurrieta]

To show the opposite of what the OP was asking, James English School has been advertising for overseas applicants only on gaijinpot. Kind of bummed me out because I live in the Tohoku area where JES operates many of their schools

[steki47]

[Chris21]

Why hire someone that is going to require the hassle of visa sponsorship?

[Glenski]

[RollingStone]

Interesting that no one has suggested a somewhat obvious (taboo?) cultural reason, that is generally true -- the Japanese do not particularly want you there. If it is absolutely necessary, then the general Japanese mindset will resort to bring in foreigners. But that mindset is likely appeased somewhat by hiring someone with at least 1 tour of cultural experience, who is more likely to know the ropes s.t.s, and not behave like a bloody foreigner.

[Glenski]

[Apsara]

[RollingStone]

I did not mean that, again - generally, Japanese are hostile to foreigners (which is what images of post-war rightwingers conjures up), nor that Japanese resent foreigners. For example, my understanding (provided by Japanese nationalists and ex-pats) is that someone employed in a small town or city `in the sticks` in Japan- rural Japan - will likely be treated quite well, as a special guest for the year or so that they are there. This is in parts due to the locals being generally favourable sorts and know that the foreigner will be leaving eventually, soon.

I have witnessed myself the transformation of Japanese who have returned to Japan after a year abroad. The pressure to conform to the local Japanese way. And conform they do. And it is very difficult for those Japanese who wish not to conform. These are the ones that talk about the strong desire to live elsewhere.

Japanese culture is very strong about these things. It may not be hostile (I would certainly say it is not generally) and foreigners such as yourselves may be exempt somewhat from these pressures. But you will never likely be considered `one of us`. This is in the cities, where experience with foreigners is more common. You will generally always be assumed as `the other`, the outsider. In smaller places, you may not experience hostility, but the charm will likely decidedly wear off if you decide to stay indefinitetly.

Again, this is from Japanese I know, and is a generalization. YMMV.

[cvmurrieta]

[Glenski]