So you want to work in Japan? You have collected all the documents you think you need, you have made a resume, you have even applied to "gaijinpot" and subscribed to the job feed! But you are not getting any Jobs! what is wrong? you think "Why is my resume not pulling the crowds of scouting employers?". As an employer in Japan here I list Ten of my top pet Peeves that drive me away from applicants. |
10 Pet hates of employers
1. Not putting effort into your online profile
This is my number one Pet Peeve that almost instantly discredits your application in my eyes. It seems obvious that in many cases your online profile is the only part of you that I can see and therefore it should warrant the most care. However, an overwhelming amount of applicants reek of lack of care for how they appear and therefore cut themselves short from the start. These are the main offenders, especially when it comes to Gaijinpot profiles.
2. No capitals when spelling your name
Although this is something that the majority of us learn in Kindergarten, even 50+ year olds on Gaijinpot seem to mess this one up. As you are more than likely applying for an English teaching job, it is important to use correct punctuation when applying to jobs.
3. Unprofessional profile pictures/ no picture
As I can not see you in person, your profile picture is all I have to go on. It is not usual in a western resume to supply a photograph, however in Japan it is REQUIRED and will be judged with the utmost scrutiny. An employment websites profile picture should be more like a passport photo and not a Facebook photo. Therefore
A) Do not take pictures with a webcam and ensure photos are of high resolution.
C) Provide you are looking straight at the camera and include chest up.
D) At minimum Wear a collared shirt in the photograph.
B) Do not have non-plain backgrounds.
A) Do not take pictures with a webcam and ensure photos are of high resolution.
C) Provide you are looking straight at the camera and include chest up.
D) At minimum Wear a collared shirt in the photograph.
B) Do not have non-plain backgrounds.
4. Not writing your address in Japanese
Maybe when you came to Japan you did not learn how to write kanji nor what difficulties kanji face, however I will make it clear now. Kanji have different readings so if you write your address in Romaji I will not know what Kanji to use and therefore can not post you your payslips! Therefore I need to Google your address (sometimes impossible because of 4) which takes me time and try and work out what your actual address is. You as a person living in Japan MUST learn how to write your address in Japanese for registration at your local office so start practicing now!
5. Not using the Japanese address format
I'm sure you learned during primary school how to write your address and that there is a correct order for writing it so that post will get through. This is the same in japan, however it seems to slip most peoples minds when they move to japan that they must learn the Japanese format. This is extremely frustrating to read especially when the address is not written in Japanese and makes searching for your address on Google impossible. Therefore that important mail that i need to send you (e.g. Your payslip, renewal form, visa) will never arrive!
The Japanese post format follows from the largest units to the smallest units therefore:
〒100-8994
東京都中央区八重洲一丁目5番3号
東京中央郵便局〒
100-8994
Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Yaesu 1-Chōme 5-ban 3-gō
Tōkyō Chūō Yūbin-kyoku
The Japanese post format follows from the largest units to the smallest units therefore:
〒100-8994
東京都中央区八重洲一丁目5番3号
東京中央郵便局〒
100-8994
Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Yaesu 1-Chōme 5-ban 3-gō
Tōkyō Chūō Yūbin-kyoku
6. Not writing the date in Japanese format
This is a simple thing that is confusing for the interviewer when they come back to your application. First of all lets see where this miss understanding stems from.
Japanese format: YYYY/ MM/ DD
British format: DD/ MM/ YYYY
American format: MM/ DD/ YYYY
As you can see above the
Japanese format: YYYY/ MM/ DD
British format: DD/ MM/ YYYY
American format: MM/ DD/ YYYY
As you can see above the
- Japanese format Goes from Largest to smallest units - Year - Month - Day
- British format goes from smallest units to the largest units - Day - Month - Year
- American format does what it likes and goes Medium - Small - Large
7. Not wearing proper clothing to an interview
When i first moved to japan i lived out of a suitcase for one year, however, there is no excuse to look shabby at an interview. The most appropriate clothes for an interview are a suit, if you do not have one buying one will seriously improve your employment chances. If you do not have the money or space to keep a suit at the bare minimum for both men and women please wear a collared shirt and if possible a tie. It is astounding the number of teachers who come in for an interview with an un-tucked casual shirt and Jeans. For your own sake please heed this warning.
8. Not arriving on time
Transport problems and not finding the building are excuses i hear from 70%+ of the people who come in for an interview. It is un-professional and it wastes my time as an interview so you are two points down from the moment you walk in the door. Before coming to an interview drop by the area and look for the building in advance. It may be far to travel, however it is also a lot of effort to search for a new job.
9. Not coming prepared to an interview
Asking questions in an interview is good sign that you have interest in the position. However asking information about things that are written in the Job advertisement and written online look like you did not seriously apply for the position. The interviewer will think if you do not know about our company why did you come here? and will make you look silly. If you are going to ask questions about what is written in the advertisement please state that you read it there e.g. In the advertisement it said X. Or if you are going to ask about the company e.g. I read on line X however could you please tell me more about Y.
10. trying to negotiate your salary in the interview
A Job interview is a part of the company's selection process and does not mean you have the position yet. Therefore as an employee you have no power or right to negotiate salaries. Once you have passed the interview process and you have been employed please negotiate these things then.