Is there any way of getting a job in Japan without having passed JLPT 1 or 2 級?
I'm 24, graduated last year in computer science and have 6 months of professional experience in the game industry (my contract didn't get renewed after that, so I've been unemployed for a month now).
While I already thought of teaching English (seems to be the easiest way in, then one can look around from within the country), I do not qualify for that (English is not my first language, don't think just having graduated from an UK university and worked there changes matters) or for a working holiday visa.
In terms of Japanese knowledge, I'd put myself at or barely above 3 級 (Finished RTK1, have gone through most of みんなの日本語　中級１本冊 but my vocab and reading skills suck).

try writing somebody working at smart.fm... i'm sure they are looking to hire people with experience with computers...

If your professional experience is good enough, then your lack of Japanese won't necessarily be a problem. Certainly, teaching English isn't a great way of improving your Japanese (because you'll be using English the whole time), and it's not always a very stable working environment (because a lot of the big eikaiwa companies seem to be a bit dodgy, and because there is a lot of competition for jobs).

If I were you, I'd talk to videogame recruitment companies (preferably ones with a global focus) and explain that you want to work in Japan, or contact videogame companies directly. You might also want to try to search out other people who have managed to do what you want to do - I know of a few websites but unfortunately can't remember them right now (if they come back to me I'll post them here).

You need a job fast. jalss is the name of the alt recruitment company. skeet as ***** but will hire you within a few days of applying and have you working the next day as an ALT. They sponsor visa and only pay 170k a month if not english first language.

just get that job while you are looking for another.

jacf29 Wrote:You need a job fast. jalss is the name of the alt recruitment company. skeet as ***** but will hire you within a few days of applying and have you working the next day as an ALT. They sponsor visa and only pay 170k a month if not english first language.

just get that job while you are looking for another.

I think this is a bad idea. If he is having trouble finding a job in computer science he should be gaining more exerience back home. Having "English teacher" on your CV won't really help you much later on.

jacf29 Wrote:You need a job fast. jalss is the name of the alt recruitment company. skeet as ***** but will hire you within a few days of applying and have you working the next day as an ALT. They sponsor visa and only pay 170k a month if not english first language.

just get that job while you are looking for another.

It takes a minimum of one month for the ministry of immigration to issue a visa. Are you saying jalss has their teachers work before they receive a work visa?

Jarvik7 Wrote:It takes a minimum of one month for the ministry of immigration to issue a visa. Are you saying jalss has their teachers work before they receive a work visa?

They wouldn't be the first company to do this and call it something like on-site training...

In situations like that, they just aren't paid until a proper visa clears.

If you are a REALLY good programmer, you can earn 10 times more than 170k a month in Tokyo. If you are an average, just out of school with 6 month experience, it's kind of hard. Generally, developer positions in English speaking companies require something like 5 years, at least 3 years of experience there. Developer positions in gaming industry kind of sucks, and as far as I know, they are strictly Japanese, language wise, so openings for English speakers are mostly business software related. There are a lot of openings though. Try googling "Developer Tokyo Job" and you'll find plenty.

My friend used to be a producer for Bandai, and they would always make fun of the Japanese programmers because they were all poor... so... yea

I am under the impression that he has a visa currently and might need some money while he is finding a new job. If it looks bad to have English teacher on your CV then just leave it out. Beats not working and getting no money while you are searching. And you don't really need that much time to be searching for one. Just do it every night when you return from work. Win win.

jacf29 Wrote:I am under the impression that he has a visa currently and might need some money while he is finding a new job. If it looks bad to have English teacher on your CV then just leave it out. Beats not working and getting no money while you are searching. And you don't really need that much time to be searching for one. Just do it every night when you return from work. Win win.

Nope, no visa here: I am writing this from England. I am just facing the chicken and egg issue of needing a job lined up before making the move (don't want to risk wasting a ton of money for nothing) and companies almost only considering people applying domestically (hell, from my experience checking out corporate websites, it seems almost everyone wants CVs snail mailed to them there).

As for jalss, they indeed seem skeet as ****: do they actually pay people? Looking around it seems a lot of ALTs with them are not getting their dues at all.

I knew game programmers salary in Japan were below the average elsewhere (though I'd be grateful if someone could enlighten me about just how bad they are), so I would have been looking for positions outside the game industry there.

kaworu1986 Wrote:While I already thought of teaching English (seems to be the easiest way in, then one can look around from within the country), I do not qualify for that (English is not my first language, don't think just having graduated from an UK university and worked there changes matters) or for a working holiday visa.

Many companies will hire non-native speakers to be English teachers. While it will, of course, limit your possibilities compared to a native speaker, it shouldn't be a huge problem.

There are two ways to approach your problem:

1. Go crazy, buy the cheapest ticket you can afford today and go there on the date it turns out without planning your job etc. and hope for the best.
2. Be reasonable, find a job in England and get some experience (preferably in business and not games since they pay next to nothing), meanwhile prepare for JLPT 2 and pass it next summer.

Option 1 will get you there quicker, is more risky and could have negative impact on your future career/life. Option 2 is much safer and you get some nice skills on the way but you also don't get to spend New Years in Tokyo this year.

I'm on the option number 2 now but if I fail JLPT 2 this December it will be number 1 for me next year

@Thurd: JLPT2 is worth nothing in today's JP economy. JLPT2 holders are a dime a dozen. 2-3 years ago it was enough but not now.

The best way to get into the JP job market is to get a position as alt and study hardcore during your ample free time instead of messing around. Get your JLPT1 and get out asap (hopefully you have some sort of other skills). The longer you teach the harder it is to climb out of that hole.

Teaching should only be thought of as a way to get your initial work visa and get paid to study for your JLPT1, or as a 1 year vacation before you go home and start a real job.

Jarvik7 Wrote:@Thurd: JLPT2 is worth nothing in today's JP economy. JLPT2 holders are a dime a dozen. 2-3 years ago it was enough but not now..

It can't be that bad. I see literally hundreds of positions in IT that I could apply to on sites like gaijinpot but they all have one common requirement: "business level" (JLPT2 according to them) Japanese. Another common one is a good score on TOEIC certificate but I've got that covered.

IT is kind of an exception. There are probably more job listings that require no Japanese than want jlpt1 (or 2).

Too many damn trilingual Koreans and Chinese.

Jarvik7 Wrote:IT is kind of an exception. There are probably more job listings that require no Japanese than want jlpt1 (or 2).

Huh? I can't seem to find any. If I filter job listings that require 0 or very basic Japanese I get like 5-6 offers, but when I add JLPT2 its like 100+.

Maybe its different for a really basic entry level job of a regular programmer, one that's already is in Japan and has more opportunities but thats not my case.

Either way its always better to have more certificates than not, especially in a society thats obsessed with examinations as Japan. English also seems to be a big deal, so there are a lot of ways to distinguish yourself from the rest.

I'd grind out Japanese to at least 2kyuu, and get a job in Japan as a copy checker or the like.

There's plenty of need for foreigners in this country, and the need is growing drastically.