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CompareEnglish-friendly recruiters for changing jobs in Tokyo
To change jobs in English, use one recruiter that knows international companies and one job site for foreign residents. When you change jobs, remember to notify immigration.
Three ways to search
| Type | Examples | Good |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment agencies (a consultant helps you) | Robert Walters, Michael Page, Hays, JAC International | Non-public jobs and salary negotiation |
| Job sites (you apply yourself) | CareerCross, Daijob, GaijinPot Jobs, LinkedIn | Comparing jobs at your own pace |
| Public offices | Employment Service Centers for Foreigners (Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, Fukuoka) | Free, and they can advise on residence status |
Agencies like these mainly handle professional roles at international companies, such as finance, IT, sales and marketing, and their consultants work in English. Many of their jobs still ask for business-level Japanese. Job sites list more roles that need little Japanese, such as teaching and hospitality. Check the Japanese level in each listing before you apply.
How to go about it
- Prepare an English CV and a Japanese one. Many companies ask for a Japanese-style career history.
- Register with one agency and one job site. More than that becomes hard to manage.
- Before interviews, check the job fits your residence status.
- After an offer, set your last day and start date.
Residence status
- Make sure the new work fits within your current residence status.
- When you leave a company, and again when you join a new one, notify the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days. You can do it online through the e-notification system, in person or by mail (Immigration Services Agency).
- If unsure, ask an Employment Service Center for Foreigners or an immigration lawyer (gyoseishoshi).
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