If you are looking to find a job in Japan, it is important to understand when and how to start job hunting, as well as business etiquette. Please prepare early to survive the tough job hunting process.
Utilize Career Center and participate in job hunting dances, information sessions, etc.
Career Center (2nd floor of the main building) and the East Campus Student Service Center provide employment-related counseling, guidance, and information for international students. We also provide company job information from time to time. If you have any questions regarding employment, please first go to Career Center. We also hold employment guidance, training camps for improving employment skills, and company information sessions. We will provide useful information such as job hunting methods and business etiquette, so please try to participate as much as possible.
Be sure to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 1.
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 is one of the qualifications you should obtain when seeking employment at a Japanese company. It will be a good resource to promote your Japanese language ability when job-hunting, so please be sure to obtain it while you are still enrolled in school. In addition, there are the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test and the J.TEST Practical Japanese Proficiency Test, which evaluate Japanese language proficiency in business and practical situations. These qualifications will also be helpful in your job hunting, so we recommend that you take the exam.
Work that can be done with the residence status of “Specialist in Humanities/International Services”
- Work that requires knowledge in the field of humanities (so-called humanities field, which also includes the field of social sciences) (Example) Planning, sales, marketing, finance, trade work, accounting, etc.
- Work that requires thinking or sensitivity based on foreign culture (Example) Translation/interpretation, public relations, overseas transactions, language teachers, product development, designers, etc.
Work that can be done with the “Technical” residence status
Activities involving work that requires technology or knowledge in the field of science, engineering, or other natural sciences (e.g., design, technology development, production management, SE, etc.)
Work where employment status of residence is not recognized
The Immigration Control Act does not recognize a status of residence that includes so-called unskilled labor. Work on a factory production line or simple and repetitive clerical jobs that do not require specialized knowledge do not fall under the above status of residence. Additionally, if a company hires an international student because they can hire them at a lower wage than a Japanese person, they will not be allowed to change their status of residence. The starting salary of a university graduate must be equal to or higher than that of a Japanese person.
Procedures for changing residence status
Once you have been offered a job at a Japanese company, apply to the Immigration Bureau for permission to change your status of residence. You can apply at the Osaka Immigration Bureau from December 1st of the previous year. The main documents required for application are as follows.
Documents prepared by international students
- Application for permission to change status of residence
- passport
- Residence card (alien registration certificate) (present)
- Certificate of graduation or certificate of expected graduation
- resume
- Reason for application
Documents prepared by companies, etc.
- Documents (copy of quarterly report) proving that you fall under category (1-4) of the organization you belong to (company that received a job offer, etc.)
- Financial statements (copies) of companies, etc.
- Materials that clarify the business content of companies, etc. (company information, etc.)
- Employment contract (specifying job content, employment period, position, and remuneration)
- employment reason statement
*Documents to be submitted may differ depending on the institution you belong to and your status of residence. For details, please see the Immigration Bureau website.
Examination points for permission to change status of residence
It is a major prerequisite that you work in a job that is related to your academic field at the university or a job that requires your native language. It is also important to consider whether stability and continuity can be expected based on the size and track record of the employing company, and whether opportunities to utilize the employee's work will actually be provided.
Job hunting after graduation
Those who have been job-hunting before graduation, but are unable to find a job and wish to continue job-hunting after graduation, are permitted to stay in Japan with the "Specified Activities (Continued Job Hunting)" status of residence. In that case, you will need to be able to confirm that you are actively looking for a job and have a recommendation from the university you graduated from. If you apply to the Immigration Bureau and are approved, you can stay for up to one year after graduation. (*Research students and non-degree students cannot apply.)
The following materials are required for application to the Immigration Bureau.
- Documents proving your ability to pay all expenses during your stay in Japan (if someone other than you is paying your expenses, documents proving that person's ability to pay and documents that clarify the circumstances that led to that person paying) Deposit Copy of passbook, remittance certificate, etc.
- University diploma or graduation certificate
- Letter of recommendation for continued job hunting issued by the university (issued at Career Center)
- Documents proving that you are continuing to search for employment
Regarding stay between job offer and joining the company
If you are offered a job while staying in Japan for "Study Abroad," "Specific Activities (Continued Job Hunting)," or "Temporary Visitor," the company that offers you the offer will contact you at regular intervals to ensure that you remain in the country. If you pledge to adequately manage the situation, you will be allowed to change your status of residence to "Specified Activities (remaining until employment after job offer)" until you join the company (but not more than one year after graduation). You can stay.
Use the Foreign Employment Service Center
Foreign employment service centers under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare have been opened in Osaka, Tokyo, and Nagoya. For international students and other foreigners who wish to find employment in Japan, we provide employment information, employment consultation/introductions, and residence-related consultations by professional advisors, so please make use of it. You can also find detailed employment information, residence procedures, etc. on the website. By registering with the "Foreign Human Resources Information System", you can provide information to companies.
Osaka Foreign Employment Service Center
| Service contents | Provision of employment information, career counseling and introductions, reception of internships, international student guidance (held monthly, advance reservation required) |
|---|---|
| Registration | You can register from April of your graduation year. |
| location | 16th floor, Hankyu Grand Building, 8-47 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0017 |
| supported language | English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish |
| Consultation method | Telephone/visit |
| URL | http://osaka-foreigner.jsite.mhlw.go.jp/ |
| Utilization time | 10:00-18:00 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and New Year's holidays) |