Somewhat recently I posted something regarding job searching in a different thread, but I wanted to create a new place for me to have the consolidated info. At the end of March next year I'll finish my Undergraduate in Business Admin. I was sincerely hoping I could get more detailed steps to help me prepare for the job search, as well as to start looking. Currently I have passed the N2 and if it's worthwhile I can always attempt the N1 for next winter. If I'm not confident in my job search over the next several months I may have to resort to using the JET program to get my foot in the door. I have no real interest in the program but I don't want to settle down for a job here in America either. It may become difficult to leave.

I imagine my first step would be to perhaps work on a Japanese resume. Following that I'm thinking I'll most likely just have to dive into job searching sites (which I only know of Daijob... if that's the name). Or am I going in the completely wrong direction? Should I just be focusing on graduating, and then looking for a job?

I'd appreciate some insight you guys have on the process.

I'd try to get on JET as a way to get your foot in Japan. You pretty much already missed the boat for entry level hires for next April in Japan. But if you wanted to take a chance for it anyway, I'd look into attending the Boston Career Forum. Keep in mind though that the vast majority of companies there are only interested in Japanese people and will be looking for 2015 starts, but you might get lucky. There are also really good networking opportunities there.

Edit: Also don't forget how ridiculously competitive the JET program is. Less than 10% of applicants end up going to Japan. You might want to look into other teaching options as your plan C.

Also think about placements. I assume that you want to work in Tokyo area so you should know that there are no JETs in the capital and the JET program cannot guarantee any placement you request. You could end up in Okinawa or Hokkaido for all you know, so if your long term plan is to jump jobs it might be better to take a teaching position in Tokyo with a private company. That would be better than being a JET in Hokkaido and spending $800 every weekend you try to job-hunt in Tokyo.

I think it's very hard to find a job in Japan while still overseas. If you're not native level there's not going to be many opportunities at the BCF and even then, most natives end up leaving empty handed. I wouldn't wait around for it.

I can only echo the above and moving to somewhere near Osaka or Tokyo, by whatever method available (with the optimal choice being entering a graduate school in Japan).

I came into the country as an ALT and used my time here to form connections. It's through those connections that I landed a job in a field in which I'm interested. I'm not 100% sure how to suggest you go about doing this yourself but a lot of it is being in the right place at the right time...

Anyway without connections and without being in the country it's going to be a bit challenging (though not impossible) to jump into a field of interest right away. Unless that field of interest is teaching. The way Japanese job searching works right out of college makes it quite tough for a foreigner to jump in to any company not actively hunting for foreigners (unless you're going to university in Japan and plan to graduate and immediately job hunt here).

I also used the site リクナビNEXT (http://next.rikunabi.com/) which is for people changing jobs. Through that site I did get one interview for a position as an in-house translator/interpreter + sales representative in Kyoto but got turned down. (´・ω・｀)

It seems like the gist of it is that I just need to get into the country first. I predicted as much. I could perhaps try to get a teaching job, but do you also think just planning an extended stay would work? The latter obviously seems risky and possibly resulting in a huge money sink. When I visited Japan I made a few friends and could inquire about perhaps living with one of them as I job search. Even then I'd have 3 months to figure it all out; however, the more I think about it the more ridiculous it sounds.

I could also look into a Fulbright Scholarship and perhaps something may spring out of that.

I think this plan is too general. If you'd only be there for 3 months, you'd better research, decide what field to apply to and apply in advance before arriving. It's no good arriving and just looking for "a job" unless you're prepared to become an English teacher.

There's a "season" for applying to jobs in Japan as a college graduate with no job experience. Being a foreigner, you may be able to get away with applying "out of season" and perhaps as a change of jobs but many businesses don't work that way.

I hear there are companies actively recruiting foreigners and people who are anyway good at English but they aren't the majority. You say you currently have the N2, having N1 level ability (not necessarily test scores. Although Japan is crazy about qualifications..) may help. N2 may also be enough..? I have no idea what's on N2. ><; But anyway being able to do business in both languages should increase your chances of being hired in or out of the country.

Either way, 3 months searching in the current state of things (the country's not exactly overflowing with job offers at the moment) may leave you empty-handed and out of money...

If you're dead-set on coming to Japan and can't find a company outright stating "we want foreigners. apply any time." I'd highly suggest coming in as an English teacher- though it may be the last on your list of things you want to do. That will give you time to polish your Japanese and allow you to apply as a change of jobs- hopefully significantly opening up your options in Japan.

OR.. find a job before coming over- if possible.