How to get a successful job abroad?

For those who want to get a job abroad or know how to work abroad, it is important to get as much information as possible and prepare accordingly. Employment abroad may seem like a high hurdle, but it is not impossible if you prepare by holding down the points.

So, this time, I have summarized what you need to know in order to succeed in overseas employment. To get a job overseas, you need to prepare differently from getting a job in Japan. If you want to work abroad, please refer to this article.

job hunting overseas?

There are differences in job hunting between overseas. I will introduce two specific differences, so let's understand.

Immediate force is required overseas

For overseas employment, human resources who are ready to work immediately after being hired are required. Overseas, it is common to recruit human resources for each job type, rather than recruiting new graduates all at once as in Japan. Therefore, it is necessary to have human resources who are suitable for the conditions, such as having the skills and skills to play an active role in that occupation.

Even if you have just graduated from college and have no work history, the skills and skills that you can utilize in that job are essential. Also, if you do not have sufficient skills, it is common to go through an internship and acquire skills before getting a job.

Japan has a training system

Hiring in Japan is divided into "new graduate hiring" and "mid-career hiring". In the case of mid-career hiring, human resources who are ready to work are often required, but in the case of new graduate hiring, we are hiring on the premise that we do not have knowledge or skills about work. Therefore, Japan has a fairly well-established training system, and it is common for a certain training period to be set after actually getting a job. Also, after the training period, the department to which you will be assigned will be decided.

How to get a job abroad

There is more than one way to get a job abroad. Here, I will explain four ways to get a job overseas.

Apply for a local job

The first is to apply for a job offered locally. Choose the country you want to work in and apply for a local job, just as you would for a job in Japan. If you know which company you want to work for, this is the way to go. Since it is common to publish job information on the Internet even overseas, search on the Internet and enter directly.

Since you will be communicating directly with the hiring manager, it is possible to appeal that you can communicate in the required language.

If you haven't decided on a specific country where you want to get a job, it's a good idea to use an agent who can introduce you to overseas jobs.

Get a job at a Japanese company and transfer

One way is to get a job at a Japanese company that has an overseas base and then aim to transfer to another country. If you choose this method and work abroad, you will first find a job in Japan.

Being hired by a Japanese company with overseas bases does not mean that you can work overseas. However, if you appeal your desire to work overseas and your language skills from the time of job hunting, it is highly likely that you will be considered as a candidate for overseas transfer. Depending on the company, there are cases where applicants for overseas transfer are recruited after joining the company. When you get a job at a Japanese company and transfer overseas, it is common for the company to decide when and how long you will be transferred, where you will be transferred, and what your job will be.

If you want to freely decide the content, period, country, etc. of your overseas work, you can also change jobs from a Japanese company to an overseas local company. Overseas, where immediate work force is required, it is easy to increase the possibility of being hired by those who have experience as a member of society.

Participate in Working Holiday

The third way to get a job abroad is to attend a working holiday. Working Holiday is a system for people aged 18 to 30 years old. Working holiday visas are issued in 26 partner countries, and you can learn the local language and culture while working locally. With this visa, you will be able to stay for a long period of 1 to 3 years and work locally.

You can travel on a working holiday, do an internship or get a job there, and if approved by a local company, you can switch your work visa and continue working there. How to get a work visa varies from country to country, but you can find a job that suits you while appealing your charm and skills locally.

Work as a sole proprietor

What is increasing now is how to work as a nomad worker overseas while working as a sole proprietor. Among the sole proprietors, it is the programmers who use the programming language that is common throughout the world that is easy to work overseas. The unit price is high and the demand is high, so it will be easy to find a job overseas.

Strictly speaking, it is not a job abroad, but you can use your skills to work abroad. However, if you work as a sole proprietor, you must obtain a work visa yourself. In countries like the United States, where visa requirements are strict, it can be difficult to obtain. It's a good idea to choose a country where you can easily get a visa. Some countries have begun issuing visas for nomad workers.

4 points when choosing a country for overseas employment

When you get a job abroad, which country you get a job in is just as important as what you do. Here are some points to consider when choosing a country to work for.

Choose if you can get a work visa

If you change jobs from a Japanese company, you can apply for a visa through the company, but if not, you will have to obtain a work visa yourself. Since Japanese passports have a high degree of global credibility, many countries allow you to travel with just your passport, and it is easy to obtain a tourist visa. However, the story changes when it comes to work visas.

In order to obtain a work visa, you must meet the conditions set by each country before applying. Age restrictions and work experience are often conditions, but the conditions are completely different from country to country. In countries where it is difficult to obtain a work visa, you may not be able to work because you cannot obtain a visa even if you get a job offer.

If you want to apply directly for a job at a local company or work abroad as a sole proprietor, be sure to check the difficulty and conditions of your work visa in that country.

Choose according to living environment and security

Obviously, getting a job abroad means living in that country. Japan has a good hygienic environment, and the environment is so comfortable that it is recognized worldwide that it is safe. It is natural for Japanese people to drink tap water or walk to a convenience store in the middle of the night, but it is not so when going abroad.

Some people may think that the hygienic environment and security will be managed if they get used to living, but when they actually live, the difference can be very stressful. Even if you can get a job and get a visa, if you have another stress, you will not have any children.

When choosing a country, thoroughly research the local hygiene environment, security, and ease of living. It is also recommended to contact Japanese people who live in the area and find out if it is suitable for you.

Choose by salary or price level

Salary and price levels also vary from country to country. Whether it is better to have a high or low price level depends on how you get a job abroad.

If you work directly for a local company, your salary will be paid in your local currency, so the higher the price level, the higher your salary. If you are thinking of returning to Japan someday, it is easier to save if your salary is high even if the price level is high. However, in some countries the prices are so high that they are incomparable to Japan, so in that case, just living may be the best you can do.

When transferring from a Japanese company overseas, the salary is paid in the local currency, but it is generally paid in Japanese yen. In that case, it will be easier to save money in a country with lower prices and it will be easier to live after returning to Japan.

It will be easier to choose a country if you think about how you want to work and how long you want to live there.

Choose based on whether it will lead to your future career

If you want to live in that country for a long time, you don't have to be so conscious, but it is also important to check whether the language and skills you use in that country will lead to your future career.

To find a job overseas, you will be working in the local language or English. Even in a country where English is the official language, you may have to learn the local language in your life, but if you think about your future career, it is easier to connect to your next career in a country where you can do business in English.

In some parts of Asia, Japanese is well known in some countries. In that case, it is easy to live because you can acquire the skills and skills that you can get by working abroad without having to worry about language. In a country with a high degree of recognition of Japanese, there are many opportunities to see Japanese in daily life, so there is a sense of security.

3 Recommended Countries for Overseas Employment

We will introduce the reasons and difficulty of finding employment in the countries recommended for finding employment overseas.

America

The United States has big cities such as New York, which can be said to be the center of the world, and there are many Japanese companies, so there are many options. There are also areas where many Japanese live, and although security is not as good as in Japan, there are places where it is easy to live.

To get a job in the United States, you need to have the same level of English proficiency as a native speaker and superior skills. If you work and live surrounded by native speakers, your English will improve even more. In addition, because it is an environment where you can learn various values, it will definitely have a positive impact on your future career.

However, obtaining a work visa in the United States has a high hurdle. In the case of local hiring, as a general rule, you have graduated from a four-year university, and you are required to match the degree and job description obtained by the applicant. We also have to prove in every way what the talent needs for America. The hiring company does not always provide visa support, so you need to find out about that before you enter.

Australia

Australia, which has almost no time difference with Japan, is warm and safe, and it is a comfortable environment for Japanese people to live in, so it is popular with Japanese people who are looking for employment overseas. English is the official language, so it's easy to use for your career.

There are many Japanese restaurants and many Japanese people are living, so you can live with peace of mind. Prices are high, but salaries are also high. If you choose a job properly, you should not have any trouble in your life even if you are hired locally. Also, since it is a partner country of Working Holiday Visa, you can aim for employment from Working Holiday.

It is a country with many calm personalities, and many people are pro-Japanese, so it is a country where it is easy to live even if you get a job. It will be encouraging because there is a high possibility that you will meet Japanese people locally.

Singapore

Singapore, which is not only safe but also has a good hygienic environment, is one of the most livable countries in the world. Transportation is well-equipped, and education and medical care are advanced, so you will not have any trouble in your life. There are many Japanese restaurants and shops that sell Japanese food.

However, prices tend to be quite high. Along with that, the salary level is also high, but if you are looking for a job, be sure to check the treatment carefully.

Obtaining a visa is not easy, but it is relatively easy if you meet the conditions. Many companies also provide visa support. Also, although it is not a working holiday partner country, there is a working holiday with a similar system.

8 job categories that make it easy to get a job overseas

The ease of finding employment overseas varies depending on the type of job. We will introduce occupations that are easy to find overseas, so if you want to work overseas because you are not particular about occupations, you may consider finding employment in these occupations.

resident

Expatriates are employees who belong to a Japanese company and have been transferred overseas. Most of the people who have been recognized in Japan are assigned to overseas managerial or technical positions, and it can be said that they are elites who have passed through narrow gates. There aren't many slots, and just because you want it doesn't mean you can be an expatriate.

Expatriates are well treated and financially stable. In most cases, the company will provide you with a place to live, and you will receive generous assistance.

If you want to work abroad with a stable life first, improve your language skills and expertise and become an expatriate.

Sales position of Japanese company

The sales positions of Japanese companies in the local area are easy to apply for and be hired by directly applying for local jobs. Japanese companies overseas often seek human resources who can speak Japanese and can sell to Japanese companies. Therefore, Japanese native Japanese tend to be hired more easily.

Salaries tend to be lower than expatriates who do the same job, but they are more likely to work abroad than aim to be expatriates.

In addition to sales positions, Japanese companies may also be looking for personnel who can speak Japanese in clerical positions. Some companies are intended for people with permanent residency, so make sure you have visa support.

Call center

The number of cases where call centers of Japanese companies are relocating overseas to reduce labor costs and fixed costs is increasing. Many companies in South Asia and Southeast Asia are looking for call center staff who can speak Japanese. Recently, many call centers have been set up in Thailand. Western companies are concentrated in India, where English is pervasive.

There are various types of work, such as responding to inquiries and ordering, but if you are a call center for Japanese people, it is essential that you can speak Japanese fluently even overseas. Therefore, we are looking for many human resources from Japan.

IT engineer

An IT engineer is someone who does work related to computers or networks, such as a system engineer or a programmer. Programming skills and management skills are required.

In Europe and the United States, the status of IT engineers is higher than in Japan, and the annual income is also high. In Silicon Valley, California, where IT companies are concentrated, it is said that the annual income is three times that of Japanese IT engineers. Higher skills and skills are required, but if the skills and skills are recognized, there is a good chance that they will be adopted even in countries where it is difficult to obtain a visa.

Japanese teacher

There is a considerable demand for Japanese language teachers in every country. If you are a pro-Japanese country or a country that sends technical intern trainees to Japan, the demand is quite high. Japanese teachers create curriculums for students and actually teach reading and writing Japanese.

It is easier to communicate and work if you understand the local language, but you do not need to have the perfect language skills to work at a company.

Interpretation and translation

Interpretation and translation are also one of the jobs that are easy to find overseas. There are many places where you can play an active role as an interpreter / translator, but when you find a job overseas, there are many cases where Japanese companies expanding overseas are recruiting.

Many Japanese employees come abroad for expatriates or business trips, but not all of them can speak English perfectly. For this reason, some large companies have interpreters and translators permanently stationed, and some companies hire personnel to be dispatched to companies.

It is a job type that requires high practical language skills, communication skills, and careful consideration.

Production control

Many Japanese companies are relocating their factories overseas in order to reduce labor costs and fixed costs. In particular, there are a large number of companies that have relocated their factories to the Asian region. In addition, automobile manufacturers have factories in Europe and the United States as the market scale expands.

We are recruiting local human resources to operate the factory, but that does not maintain the same quality as making products in Japan. For this reason, many companies are stationed in Japan to assign production managers or hire Japanese people locally.

It is a job that requires language skills and management skills to communicate with local staff.

Trade relations

Trade-related companies and trading companies that are expanding overseas, and local companies that export to Japan are looking for human resources who can handle trade affairs and trade management and can speak Japanese. Sometimes I do it from the purchase of goods, and sometimes I specialize in the affairs related to import and export.

It is a job that requires not only communication in Japanese, but also communication in English and local languages. Communication skills, bargaining skills, and skills to work accurately are required.

Characteristics of people who are suitable for overseas employment

Here, we will introduce the characteristics of people who are suitable for overseas employment. Working abroad may seem glamorous, but it can also be difficult to work in a different environment than in Japan. Check if you are suitable for employment abroad.

Flexible and forward stress

If you get a job overseas, your working style and environment will change dramatically. Common sense that is implicitly understood in Japan does not apply at all overseas. Also, not only the work but also the living environment changes, so it is suitable for people who have flexibility and forward stress. Even such people may have some stress, but if you can see things from a broad perspective, you will be able to enjoy a different environment from Japan.

Good at self-appeal

As mentioned above, overseas, people who have the skills and knowledge to be ready for action are required. Therefore, self-appeal of what skills and knowledge you have is the key to winning recruitment. Excessive self-appeal is avoided in Japan, but being unable to self-appeal overseas is a minus.

If you can't appeal to yourself even after you actually start working, you won't have a chance to work. In many cases, the ability to appeal to oneself is highly evaluated.

I'm not bad at negotiations

Considering working abroad for a long time, there are occasions when you have to negotiate for any job. Even for jobs that seemingly do not require negotiation, you have to negotiate salary and treatment yourself overseas.

Unlike Japan, the idea is not to have the company raise the salary, so it can be said that people who can actively negotiate are suitable.

It is also common overseas to negotiate salaries and treatment during job hunting. It may seem NG to talk about money in the Japanese sense, but it is important to understand that negotiation is essential for employment.

What to do to succeed in overseas employment

Finally, I would like to introduce what you should do now for those who want to succeed in employment overseas. Do what you can do now and win a job abroad.

First, acquire specialized skills

There is no batch hiring overseas, and specialized skills are required for each occupation. Acquiring skills that can be used in that occupation is essential for successful employment overseas. Decide what kind of job you are aiming for and find out what skills you need for that job.

As long as you are Japanese, your language skills will be at a disadvantage compared to native speakers. Hone your skills to the point where you can compete with your language skills, and have them recognize you as a necessary person.

Do job hunting with a solid purpose

When you are looking for a job overseas, you are always asked why you are aiming for a job in that country. Somehow, because I want to work abroad, I cannot be recognized as an attractive person. Clarify why you chose that country and what skills you want to improve in your workplace. Also, if you are looking for a job overseas, it is better if you can tell what kind of contribution you can make at that company.

When it comes to working overseas, I have a brilliant image, but when I actually work, I often run into difficulties. If you don't have a clear purpose to work there at that time, you are likely to be frustrated.

Job hunting with a clear purpose, both for successful job hunting and for building a career through overseas employment experience.

Increase your TOEIC score

Even in countries where English is not their home country, many companies use English for business. Improving English proficiency is essential for successful employment abroad. It is a major premise to acquire practical English proficiency, but increasing the TOEIC score is one indicator that you have English proficiency.

No matter what country you work in, get at least 700 TOEIC points. If English is your native language, it is desirable to have a score of 900 or higher.

Also, in parallel with studying for TOEIC, practice communicating in English. If you don't have an environment where you can speak English, it is recommended to create an opportunity to have an online English conversation.

Conclusion

There are many parts of employment overseas that are not the same as employment in Japan. There is more than one way to get a job abroad. It is necessary to think about what kind of job you are aiming for and how you want to advance your career by finding a job overseas, and decide on a path and prepare for it.

Also, no matter what country you get a job in, having English proficiency is always helpful. A good TOEIC score does not mean that you will be able to find a job overseas, but it is also important to get a high TOEIC score as a weapon to appeal to you. Improve your English so that you can communicate well with natives and locals, and succeed in finding a job overseas.