How I Found My Non-Teaching Job in Japan as a Foreigner

[@theodoreknab7317]

I agree the JET program is great opportunity to try out Japan. While I was near Tokyo, I met an odd foreigner in Ichikawa City that was a Japanese truck driver. He was a blond blue eye American from Wyoming that spoke really crude Japanese . I was in instant awe a at his Japanese ability. I spoke with him in a bar just south of the Edo river of the JR line. According to him, he was a basketball player in Washington state University. After following his girlfriend to Japan and getting married, he taught English. Lots of people get burned out from teaching English, he was no exception. He got depressed and spent a lot of time in the bars. He said drinking in the bar helped him learn Japanese. Since he didn't like teaching English, he went back to Wyoming . While home, he went to a truck driver school. After getting his license in the USA, he returned to Japan and transferred his license over. Although his Japanese wife anchored him to Japan, he brought a viable skill set with the truck driving license. I am betting his bar Japanese came in handy as a Japanese truck driver. I think being a truck driver in Japan, would be a good fit for some Americans. Japanese typically don't like dirty or hard jobs. I guess if you think outside the box, opportunities in Japan are limitless. It is hard to compete with Japanese in the office space. Personally, I would like to be a farmer in Hokkaido, but it just a pipe dream so far.

[@barrettish]

Wow that's pretty unique! I've never met a foreign truck driver in Japan, not sure if I've ever seen one. If it works, it works! Thanks for sharing. Maybe one day farming in Hokkaido will be a possibility!

[@YouNeverKnowWhoIsWatching]

I have actually entertained the idea of some type of farm life or agricultural work which is completely different from my 20-plus years of factory life here in the states. I would like to do something that is not necessarily mainstream. The fact that I do not have a degree or a highly sought-after skill set that could compete with a native Japanese is one reason for me wanting to do something of a somewhat low-ranking. The other reason, is that I'm just tired of doing the expected. I come from a family of factory workers and although I have committed most of my adult life the following the family line of work, I definitely want to do something more suited to my personality and that I would find more fulfilling. Finding a community to be a part of and making a difference in their community would be in awesome way to live out the rest of my life. If I can't do something on a local level, I'd like to do something in a creative field like being a Japanese talent.

[@nofakejustfact]

This applied only to AMERICANS. JET program

[@BeardyBaldyBob]

The idea of getting paid to drive all over Japan really appeals to me! Sounds amazing.

[@roripantsu]

it's an odd path but he still wouldn't have gotten the truck driver job there if not for his spouse visa.

[@Angryman7800]

I hope you know you make the best content on KZbin! So authentic and real!

[@barrettish]

Thank you, I appreciate that!!

[@izumiruki]

I registered on Wantedly but was never really active (my boyfriend believes in it so much he would always bug me about it) while I managed to get a few job interviews through LinkedIn (including Rakuten). But ultimately I found a job by attending Daijob's Career Fair and am now working as a Project Coordinator in a security systems company. My spoken Japanese still isn't all that great but I get by (and most importantly, the senior engineer, who's an elderly Japanese man, approves of me despite my broken Japanese lol!) I'm looking to take Japanese lessons again.

[@barrettish]

As long as those around you are ok with our Japanese, it’s all good! To be honest, I wasn’t all that active on Wantedly either once I found a job haha. The new one is YOUTRUST apparently, another job platform. LinkedIn is good though, can’t do away with that one!

[@alainmichigan9916]

Thx for sharing your experience. As always, you are clear, precise, instructive and that is so important when you communicate with others. Bravo to you ...

[@barrettish]

Thank you for saying that and thanks for watching!

[@MarjorieKobayashi]

I'm watching you from Brazil :) what a helpful content! You are very careful about all the information you give, and talk about the japanese market tendences due to the new global working culture, which is so good! It gives us the real view, as here in Brazil and many other places we're also living this transformation. Many of us are qualified in our countries and dream about an experience abroad but still having the chance to work with what we've learned, so this is amazing to know how is the inside of the japanese working culture. Thank you!!!

[@barrettish]

Awesome! Thank you for watching! I hope you’ll get to experience whatever and wherever you’re looking!!

[@paulagato2084]

Great content as usual! I'm currently at a language school and part time working as an english teacher, but definitely looking forward to making that shift! Thank you for the insight.

[@barrettish]

Thanks for watching! Good luck!

[@ama_ndx]

Thank you for the video!

[@barrettish]

Thank you for watching!

[@JohnDoesThings]

I'll definitely look into this because I'm wanting a new start.

[@barrettish]

Good luck!

[@chrishall2837]

Hey Barrett, this was very insightful! I'm a junior in college in the US and am studying business sales and marketing. I'm very interested in working in digital marketing in the US or Japan, I"m highly considering the Jet Program

[@barrettish]

Hey Chris, I’m glad you liked it! That’s awesome to hear. Good luck, I hope things go well!

[@HannahV554]

New subscriber here and I am binge watching your videos! What a interesting perspective on Japan. Thank you.

[@barrettish]

Thanks Hannah, I'm happy you're here!

[@jkfuruya]

Nice content! Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m an English teacher for 2 years, looking for a non-teaching job. Hopefully I’ll land one soon!

[@barrettish]

Thank you for watching! Good luck in finding something you want to do!

[@swisdom9117]

How comes? Did you get tired of teaching?

[@_analog_photo]

Thanks Barret, honest video, as usual :). I have a proposal video: next time when I visit Japan (Tokyo), I would like to buy used bicycle, can you make a short video about used market - where one can buy used bicycle, or used goods in general (cameras for example) - more from individuals, not companies.

[@barrettish]

Thank you for watching!! Ooh interesting... I don't know a whole lot about that but I'll think about it and see what I can do. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@kenmaxfield7058]

Great video!!!!

[@barrettish]

Thanks!!

[@roripantsu]

Oh man I feel you on the part where you lack marketable skills to get a job but need more time in Japan for the experience. I graduated from a translation vocational school last year and got frustrated with the traditional job hunting and failed it (and it doesn't help that translation is on it's way out). Tried it again this year after I left and I found out that most companies do not want you if you don't have the skills from the job experience to show it despite having an IT bachelors and N1. I'm trying to relearn IT again since I haven't used it for a long time and its because its the only probable career prospect to get me back in the country again but the job position is so broad for me to decide whats best (if I can something that's not coding related but apparently that's the one that's in most demand). From what you've described it seems like I could higher my chances if I keep a look out for startups like these and any that might pop up in the future. I'm just trying to build my skills based on the demands of the country but still really unsure specifically on how I should go on about doing it.

[@barrettish]

Yeah things can be frustrating at times. I don’t know what’s best but checking out some startups might be worthwhile? Best of luck to you!

[@rudolfaerofare2683]

Just found your channel. Thanks for the video, Barrett! ^^ Wantedly is an interesting recommendation, but it's a pity it's unavailable outside of Japan. I am a native South African and currently studying for a 3-year degree in UX and UI design. Intend to get about 2-3 years of experience and then applies for jobs in Japan. From what you've said, LinkedIn will be the best bet, won't it? Something I found curious even with the shifts slowly taking place is that LinkedIn posts for Japan are absolutely dominated by recruiters, namely Michael Page and Rakuten. And the number of applicants of various posts are very few. Also had a look at Careercross and so far the most UX jobs have appeared there, and I will assume that (hopefully) the most of them are willing to sponsor visas, especially now that the country is finally open again.

[@barrettish]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, I think LinkedIn is the best bet for you and you're right, it's majority recruiters. A lot of Japanese companies say they want to hire foreigners but the majority aren't ready (internally with communication and work style, salary-wise, etc.), so a foreign or international Japanese company may be the better options. If you have a chance, talking with some of the recruiters is not a bad idea though. Good luck!

[@ポップパンク和訳]

I'm currently in university in Japan and I have more than a year left till I graduate. I have some digital marketing experience but as a freelancer. I have JLPT N2 but currently working on N1. Do you know how easy will it be to be able to get hired in a foreign company (preferably PPC) based in Japan? I have zero interest in working for a Japanese company due to many things I've heard from my friends and on the internet and I feel like the work culture from a foreign company would make me more comfortable

[@barrettish]

It's hard to say. My guess is you'll be able to find a job somewhere that's at least with international staff. I do get the feeling that foreign companies need native Japanese who can communicate in English more so than the other way around though, particularly if their clients are focused on the Japan market. Do you still freelance? What do you do mostly?

[@thyeconomy]

How about electrical contracting in Japan? I am currently working on my Japanese as my 3rd language to ease the transition.

[@barrettish]

Sorry but I have no idea about those types of jobs.

[@thyeconomy]

@@barrettish all good thanks anyways.

[@juju5976]

Hi Barrett! Nisei here. I'm curious... What was your Japanese skill level when you moved to Japan? And what is it now that you've lived in Japan for many years?

[@barrettish]

Hi! When I first moved, I could introduce myself and I knew a few words here and there like "park" or "bird" as well as a few questions and sentences like "What is this?" or "How much is this?". I knew a few grammatical rules but I couldn't have any sort of conversation and I couldn't really understand anything. I had studied Japanese in jr high and high school but it was one of my worst subjects. I can have daily conversations now and get by with text messaging and emails, but I'm definitely under average for someone who has lived in Japan as long as I have. I never enrolled in classes to learn. Because of that, some of my grammar is probably off and I found it a bit challenging when I moved from Fukuoka to Tokyo because the dialects were difference and because I saw doing different jobs, certain words and terminology were different as well.

[@Erik-xq4pp]

Thx for this video. I am a new to your channel. I am half Japanese and half european. A hafu. My dream has from childhood, being able to work and live in Japan. I now live in a small country called Denmark. I have been to Japan several times. But only on vaccation. I love Japan!! I dont speak japanese. So thanks very much for this. Do you have any tips on moving to Japan and getting a job besides your videos? Thx for a great channel.

[@barrettish]

Thank you for watching! Denmark sounds great, it's a place I'd love to visit! I can't say too much on tips since I only have my experience, but generally I find that people move for work (ex: teaching), through work (ex: relocation), as a student or with a partner. For the typical person who doesn't know a whole lot of Japanese and isn't in the position to be transferred by work, either a job like English teaching or being a student are probably your best bet.

[@Erik-xq4pp]

@@barrettish Thank you very much. And thanks for a great channel. I really enjoy it. And by the way. Denmark offers nothing. So dont waste your time coming here. But if you do, then you are more than welcome to contact me. I will show you the country 😅

[@Mc-hp5wn9]

Should we learn Japanese language to get a job in Japan? And is there any sites to find a job which re suitable for us?

[@barrettish]

Depends, but not knowing any Japanese would be limiting since it’s the country’s language. I’m not sure what you consider “suitable”… was the main one I talk about not suitable?

[@albertbrodie6907]

Hi there I'm struggling to find anything in Japan 🇯🇵 as I'm a physical therapist but not being able to speak the the language and looking on the general internet isn't very helpful could you let me know where I could search

[@barrettish]

I’m not familiar with that field, sorry. My guess is something in English would come up if there’s a clinic or something that uses English or caters to English-speakers in Japan.

[@albertbrodie6907]

@@barrettish thx you for your response I'll check clinic's then

[@digiguy396]

New sub here. Just wondering how your chances of getting work in Japan are if you’re involved in the trades? Ex. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC and even just regular construction jobs?

[@barrettish]

Welcome! To be honest, I'm not sure. There are some foreign workers doing those jobs, a lot seem to be from Southeast Asia (at least from what I can tell). I really don't know about the hiring process or requirements or anything though, sorry.

[@jefferyfoncannon9518]

Before you starting teaching in Japan did you have experience teaching before, or did you have a major or minor in teaching? Im curious cause I would like teach but I have no experience teaching nor have any teaching degree. Just want an idea on the process.

[@barrettish]

No I had no experience teaching and didn't study it at all either. I can't say much about other programs but the JET Programme opens applications once a year and doesn't require a teaching background or even Japanese language skills really. For any job though, you pretty much will need a 4-year bachelors degree. I talk a little bit about this in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXTcipZ5jrGmo7M

[@cococabana1243]

i am a freelance illustrator in canva. Do you think there are any possible jobs i can apply to in japan?

[@barrettish]

It depends... I'm sure there are some but your chances would increase dramatically if you're able to somewhat communicate in a Japanese work environment and you could design for the Japanese audience. Of course there's other situations but based on volume, that'd help. What you could do is try to get work as a freelancer on Lancers or something. What kind of work do you do?

[@hojinjeon9394]

Thank you for making this video! I am curious to know if your company has different work culture from other Japanese companies in terms of overtime, drinking culture, Japanese management (hierarchy). Because, I wonder how you have experienced and embraced any of these work cultures as an American or international employee in Japan?

[@barrettish]

It definitely does have a different culture. It's still Japanese at its core but it gives a lot of power/responsibility to the employee and the hierarchy is quite flat. There's no forced anything, it's all about getting the work done. Because of that, as might be expected, you don't really get a full day where you don't have to do anything related to work. I think that's quite typical in any internet/ad/marketing type of space. My previous job was at a city government, and it's more traditional, but I wasn't considered a regular employee there so my duties and expectations were different.

[@hojinjeon9394]

@@barrettish Thank you for sharing your experiences!

[@Izhupy]

He just found your KZbin channel on an online page and I really need some advice .... I am 18 years old now I am living alone and it is normal for me .... the problem is that I do not know Japanese but I do not know perfectly English My main language is Spanish. I really want to go to Japan to live, I know it sounds very difficult for it to happen, but I would like to know if it is really possible to fulfill what I really want. ( I only have my high school diploma ..... and if we talk about work experiences I also have none, only 1 year of experience in a wood factory)

[@barrettish]

Thanks for watching! I think for anyone who doesn't know Japanese well, including me, it's a big challenge. Also, to come to Japan and get hired as a full time employee, you usually need a college degree. You could consider looking into coming as a student or trying to work in a wood factory in some sort of internship. I'm not too familiar with these things though.

[@lilyflower5576]

If I am American but have a degree from another country can I still work in Japan?

[@barrettish]

Yeah I don’t see why not. There are people from all over the world working in Japan.

[@marcoh.6345]

Do you have to have a degree of university as a teacher ? i have studied business administration and had 5 courses of business english and before 7 years english at school. I am no native american or english person. I am from Germany and also worked for 3 month in the netherlands and spoke dutch there every day. Hopefully you will reply) thanks in advance

[@barrettish]

Hi Marco, sorry I took a while to respond. Generally yes, you need a 4-year university degree to get a teaching job in Japan but you don't need to have studied English or teaching for most of the jobs. There might be higher standards if you're looking to work in a university or something (I'm not sure), but for most of the foreigners who move to Japan and work as English teachers, we don't have that background.

[@marcoh.6345]

@@barrettish ah thank u Barett i have a bachelor degree in business administration so it might be ok? i thought you must have studied teaching or english and do u know who to contact at the JET program in Japan? because the german japan trade..said i would need to have teaching experience etc

[@barrettish]

@@marcoh.6345 Yes, that degree is usually fine. I don’t know what each company requires or doesn’t allow. When I was doing JET, I met people from the US, Canada, UK, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago… not Germany though. It’s a government program so they do mass hiring, there isn’t really a person to contact and get individual interviews.

[@marcoh.6345]

@@barrettish sounds good do you know an email or how to get to them? i ve tried on facebook but they didn t reply

[@marcoh.6345]

@@barrettish the german embassy said they want teaching experience ....as ALT maybe that s why there are not many Germans there..

[@MohitKumar-cv8uz]

Best 👍

[@barrettish]

Thanks!

[@blackwolfnation2396]

Is there any jobs that require physical work that I can do I'm not really that smart😂

[@barrettish]

There are actually. There are jobs at factories, doing construction, etc. that many foreigners do.

[@aznate27]

I'm new to your channel, I was curious: are you now fluent in Japanese or still learning? I'd imagine finding a job in Japan would be much easier if someone was fluent or could get by, thanks.

[@barrettish]

Welcome! I'm definitely still not fluent, it's getting kind of embarrassing actually lol. Oh it is way easier for someone who speaks Japanese and can adapt to the cultural norms! Thanks for watching!

[@Alireza13488]

How relevant is this video in 2023?

[@barrettish]

Relevant. There are other ways to look for jobs and alternative platforms such as YOUTRUST, but what I talked about here are still viable.

[@nofakejustfact]

How about NON-Natives Americans/British etc ?? Other nationals wanna also work in Japan

[@barrettish]

I think many go to study abroad or for language lessons first, and then get into a company. The platform I mentioned and recruiting and stuff would still apply to those working in those general fields.

[@md.sazzadurrahman6388]

I am looking for a job, could you help me bro, I don't know Japanese much.

[@barrettish]

I have some of my tips in this video… what help are you seeking?

[@md.sazzadurrahman6388]

@@barrettish I need a argent full time Job, who can give me visa support. Any type of Job Ok.

[@MohitKumar-cv8uz]

Job

[@barrettish]

🙌

[@iia6720]

lowkey wantedly ad

[@barrettish]

More like unpaid UGC

[@sliduyzamnoyu]

Or make your own company it’s not worth it working for Japanese you’ll gradually hate Japan and all it’s telltale signs i lived here 28 years

[@barrettish]

It depends on the person. Traditional Japanese companies will likely kill the spirit as you said, but some are able to provide stability which many people like. Starting your own company in Japan has a lot of negatives that deter many, so it’s up to the individual to decide what is best for them.

[@sliduyzamnoyu]

@@barrettish I’d rather keep my holidays and work smush own company it’s the same but better life here

[@barrettish]

@@sliduyzamnoyu Yeah that makes sense. I know others who don’t want that though because they wouldn’t be able to get home loans and stuff.

[@sliduyzamnoyu]

@@barrettish you have until the age 35 -40 if your a Japanese national to get into a loan still having a business

[@barrettish]

@@sliduyzamnoyu I know a couple Japanese nationals under 40 doing that who weren’t able to get a loan because income isn’t considered as stable as a big corp.

[@yabigitisine7164]

Sneaky way to promote your business

[@barrettish]

I didn’t have a business at this time