Starting job hunting early with clear targets
Working at ID Holdings Corporation (ID Group)
From Lithuania
Completed the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies
Joana VAITKUTE
Researching Japanese women’s balance between work and family
Originally from Lithuania, I spent a year at Waseda University in 2013 as an exchange student. After going back home, I had a strong desire to return to Japan, so I entered Waseda’s Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies in the fall of 2016 after graduating from my university in Lithuania. I was interested in the work-life balance of Japanese women, so I chose to conduct qualitative research. I interviewed about 20 women on the subject of Japanese women’s subjective happiness in balancing childcare and work. I was passionate about research, including analyzing results.
When I was a student, I was busy with my research and didn’t join a circle, but I worked part-time at a Japanese cuisine restaurant in Ginza. The level of service demanded by the customers was high and it was hard work, but I really liked Japanese traditional culture and I was able to wear Japanese clothes to work, so it was fun.
Concentrating on research and job hunting
I got used to Japan during my two years at graduate school and started to think that it would be a waste to go back to my home country, so I decided to work in Japan. This is how I started job hunting. However, since I was focusing on my master’s thesis with research in mind first, I was late, and by the time I started looking for a job, recruitment at major companies was almost over. So, when I researched companies that hire year-round, an acquaintance told me about ID Holdings, where I currently work. What appealed to me was that the company actively recruits globally, and it is an environment in which foreign employees can work at the same speed as Japanese employees if they have the motivation, ability, and assertiveness. For global recruitment, it is possible for foreign nationals to join the company throughout the year instead of joining in April, so it was a blessing for someone like me who graduated in September.
Instead of applying to many companies, I decided to go for the one I wanted to work for the most first, attended their information session, submitted an entry sheet, did my first interview, did SPI, and after a second interview, I received a job offer. The most difficult aspect of the selection process was of course the Japanese language. There were times when I couldn’t convey what I wanted to say because of my lack of vocabulary, and after interviews, I thought, “I should have said this instead.”
Joana at the graduate school completion ceremony
Management work that considers the other person’s perspective
ID Holdings is a company that provides one-stop IT services for companies. I didn’t have any particular IT skills, but they were looking for staff who could speak English, so I was able to use my strengths. I joined the company in October 2018, and am now in my fifth year. I was hoping for a management position during my job hunting, and I have been in charge of recruitment since joining the company. Just a few years ago, I was on the side of the ones being selected, so I think I’m able to make the right decisions in my own way, including giving advice and setting the mood, based on my understanding of the concerns of candidates. It’s very rewarding to hear that the person I was in charge of hiring is active in the company.
The difference between my image of a working adult that I envisioned when I was a student and the reality is that I have less free time. Maybe it’s because Japanese people like to work (laughs). However, since I have more time to devote myself to work, I think it is good that I can concentrate on my career and improve my skills.
Now a working adult, her hobby is motorcycle touring on her days off
Think hard and schedule early
I was in a rush to get a job because of the timing of the recruitment and the expiration date of my visa, so I would advise other international students to start their job hunting as soon as possible. On the other hand, it is important to calm down and think about your future. By thoroughly considering everything, you should be able to determine the next necessary action. I think it is important to think carefully about your career path. If you decide to work in Japan, you should immediately start collecting information and look at various companies before deciding on your career path.
Many international students graduate in the fall, but companies that are actively hiring globally are not only hiring in April, but often also year-round to accommodate overseas universities. Please keep looking, including collecting information on the recruitment period. If you don’t know what to do, I recommend that you first consult with the university’s career center. It is important to take a multifaceted approach without giving up, such as by applying to various company information sessions, and if you are often rejected during the selection process, look into consulting with a job-hunting agent.
I believe that time management is important in balancing your master’s thesis and job hunting. It’s important to schedule how much time you can devote to each during the week. I think that if you want to get serious about job hunting, start preparing your thesis as early as possible so that you can devote yourself to job hunting with plenty of time to spare. If you do both at the last minute, neither will go well.
In addition, many companies have started conducting online selections in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially when hiring foreign employees, interviews are often conducted online, but if possible, visiting the company at least once is effective in checking out the actual work atmosphere.
※Read the original report in Japanese from HERE!
