FINALLY REVEALING MY JOB ARE YOU HAPPY!!! ALSO! I realize now that I was not explicit about this in the video btw, but my side hustle doing TH-cam and Instagram is what led me to get most of my job interviews (and my current job!!)! I literally listed it on my resume lol 😎 But that's because I wanted to do this kind of job where my experience in social media is actually useful!!! (AND NO I DON'T HAVE TELEGRAM THAT IS A SPAM BOT PLEASE REPORT IT JFREIUGHJFR)
Yay Allison!! Awesome job update. So very excited for your career journey!! We love your enthusiasm and clear, concise information!! You should be an international news correspondent!! You present yourself very professionally!! Arigato gozaimasu for all your hard, hard work every day!!
Hey Allison! Congrats on the job 👏 my wife (also named Allison) and I recently moved to Japan to study at a language school for 2 years. The end goal being to get jobs after we pass N2. In your job hunting experience does work experience mean more to most japanese companies? My wife has a degree, but I don't, but I worked for a big Japanese company in the states for 10 years. Just curious about you or your friends experience job hunting 😃 thanks again!
I'm moving to Tokyo next week. My goal has been to find work in Games Development. I'm going to be studying the langauge first and then I will be looking for a games job. I have been working as a Software Engineer for the last 4 years and I have 2 Bachelors Degrees (1 in Games Development, 1 in Computer Science). Thanks for all of the great info in this video, I feel pretty confident in my plan (I'm also a Virgo) after watching this. It's looking very achievable.
@@bakerboyplayz5254 i’m 3 months in now, learning japanese has been sped up significantly which has been great because otherwise it would have taken me years to get anywhere. I’m still a pretty long way from the goal though. I took the N4 exam yesterday, not sure how I went. I have met foreigners working in games here, it’s definitely a long process to get there and your salary will definitely be very small (~¥5M/Yr). It’s not easy but i’m still optimistic that it is doable and that I will be able to achieve it.
But man there is no question that my American salary would go incredibly far in Japan. The apartment rent in my wife's hometown is very cheap. I would not need a car. Public transportation is cheap and reliable. Meals are tasty and inexpensive. Wow !!!!!!
Most countries an American salary would go far. But yeah its only really us has those as due to health care and other things you pay out of pocket for.
Hi Allison, it’s great to know that you’re working in a job sector that you’re enjoying and also still getting to use your hard earned language skills. I think the most important thing apart from the advice you gave was the fact you are happy and have a great quality of life. I really liked your honest advice and I hope others will find it interesting if they are starting out in their job career path. Thank you for sharing this and best wishes to you
Hey Allison! Fellow todai graduate school student here. I'm graduating next month and just signed a contract with a company in tokyo offering close to what I used to make back home, which is much higher than the average here. Its been an intense year of job-hunting and I only just arrived in Tokyo last June so I literally had a year to take japanese classes, do JLPT, work part time, finish my thesis and find a job. It's not been easy so I know what you went through! がんばってね！
call me crazy, but I think you can live a good life here in the US for $70,000 also. I live in a small apt in California and drive a modest car or catch public transportation/walk. I scrap by with two people living on $80,000/year and I save for retirement and have a nest egg. maybe I differ for society in the sense that I've accepted that it's expensive here and I refuse to fall into consumer traps. I cook basic meals and have a limited wardrobe. I'm content and know I can earn more if I wanted, but I value time so I live within my means. Thank you for sharing such intimate details. It gives great perspective into a foreigner's life in Japan.
All but one of my jobs involved some sort of networking among my friends or co-workers. Anything from informing me of an opportunity, to creating a position for me once my availability was discovered. As an old dude, my advice is to be kind and nice to people. It not only makes life better, it really helps with job hunting!
@@arisdelag.a2708 My whole point is that it's NOT some game to play. Simply be kind. Go out of your way to be nice. Just because it's a great way to live. But, it can also sometimes lead to people being nice in return. They tend to keep you in mind when opportunities pop up. But, that shouldn't be your goal. My advice is to make the decision to be a considerate human, and lots of good things happen - for you and others. I hope that makes sense.
I love to see your videos on sundays. It's funny and relaxing. I wish I was a half of smart that you are. I also think that you're right: networking is the key to apply for new jobs, new projects, etc. I wish you good luck in this new job.
I love your video!!! You give the best advice regarding living in Japan 🇯🇵, and finding a job. Some TH-camrs just blame the culture. 😒😒😒 Also, I agree NETWORKING is everything in Japan and having lots of Japanese friends in Japan makes your life easier living in Japan. Plus, they can give you great advice on culture and idioms to describe the situation. I just subscribed to the channel and keep it up. Also, the black suit is smart, Japanese people see it as a fact that you respect their culture. I noticed Japan 🇯🇵 loves subtleties (small details).
Nice video! My experience was very similar. I started off as an alr for 1 year then switched over to an animation company in tokyo. Knowing japanese definitively speeds up the process finding opportunities but once you do competition is not too bad
Thank you for the insightful tips and recommendations Allison. My thoughts on getting a job/experience is to register with an employment agency who has clients you aspire to work for. Most recruitment websites will list who their clients are and job vacancies which aren't advertised on job seeker websites. After sending in your CV and cover letter to a recruiter, a good recruiter will match you to opportunities their company receive from clients.
I knew I was forgetting something! Mentioned getting hired as a recruiter but not the other way around 😂 Yes, going through an agency can be really good for people depending on your goals!!! Especially for tech or management roles 🎉
Wow, what a reminder. I always avoid visa talk because I just get given the 5 year Entertainer visa every time and I know how hard people have to work for theirs. (Professional dancer incase people are wondering)
As someone with a coding background and work expierence, the only thing that is missing is to finish my bachelors degree 🤔(mental stuff & covid wasn't really helpful 😞) and maybe keep learning more japanese 😊. I just hope one day it all works out and I can work in japan 😁. Thank you so much for posting your advices and about the expierences you have.
When I was younger, I thought about working overseas, but the Japanese corporate culture scared me off. I would only do it now if I can come in as a chuuzai at my current employer. The cost savings are huge.
Thanks for all the advice! Networking is my nightmare but hopefully it'll get easier when i live somewhere with more mobility. Japanese trains and busses are soooo good! Gonna miss them when i go back to driving everywhere 😢
Another awesome video. The ideal, for me, seems to be an American salary (with remote work) and a Japanese apartment and lifestyle. But the problem for me would be the time difference. I think my employer might allow me to work remotely from Japan, but I am not sure they will allow me to work Japanese office hours. And if I try to work American office hours, I will be sleeping during the day and working at night, which probably isn't healthy. The only way it would work is if my firm allows me a very limited window of phone calling and Zoom meetings with the main office.
The visa is what gets in the way of this 😢 But really the expats who are moved to Japan by their company from the US or something and are still being paid their US rate are the ones definitely living it up here 🥹
@@AllisoninTokyoalso working in Japan even remotely for a U.S. company requires you to pay taxes here which some companies don’t want to deal with because you need someone to take care of that side of things here in Japan.
@@Briannal884 Shoot. Thanks for the info. At first I thought that with remote work in the U.S. I would get the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, plus NOT pay Japanese tax. But my google searches of Japanese accounting websites suggest you are right. Japan will tax my remote earnings even though it is paid by a US firm to my US bank account. That seems unfair because the general rule seems to be I only owe income tax (at least for the first five years) on foreign sourced income remitted to Japan. But since I do the work while physically in Japan, I guess that's NOT foreign sourced income. Oh well. But I guess I can claim the Foreign Tax Credit for any Japanese tax I pay, and reduce the tax I pay to the IRS.
Congratulations on your job, it sounds amazing!! Thank you so much for making this video!! I have just graduated high school and I am taking a gap year to attend language school in Tokyo as well as get some work experience in marketing (in Europe). This video has provided me a lot of clarity and motivation !! To be honest I was quite unsure on what to major in after my gap year and what programs I should be applying to. I am very nervous about entering the work field and have a lot of uncertainties. However watching this video cleared up so much for me 😭💕 especially in regards to finance, job hunting, and even hearing about your job sort of inspired me about my own career path. The job I currently have in Europe is very similar to what you’re doing and I enjoy my job a lot at the moment, but I wasn’t thinking of taking any kind of business or tech related stuff in university however I think I’m going to consider it now! I am a very creative person but was worried I wouldn’t be able to find any jobs like that, especially in Japan. I am also going to look more in the JET program, which I’d do consider briefly a while ago but I’m going to circle back to. There’s defiently a lot of planning to do and I’m not going to jump to any conclusions but really, thank you for posting this. I feel much more motivated now after watching this 💗🫶☺️
My son is American, and your same age 26. He just graduated with his masters degree there and is starting an IT job there in a few weeks. Company is sponsoring his visa. He was able to come back to the US for 10 days last month and the first thing I purchased with him was a black suit since he didn’t have one yet-when I visited for his graduation in March, I noticed that the entire student body and faculty were all wearing black suits with white shirts.
It's a dressed down version of formal clothing, particularly for official ceremonies. It's usually dark navy, blue, black, or charcoal grey, and always a white-shirt and conservative tie for official events. In IT industry, most people are business-casual at work, unless they are meeting clients. But certain industries are more elitist. I remember hearing British financial firms won't hire candidates wearing brown shoes and a dark suit. And a I remember an American Managing Director getting angry that a summer intern was not wearing a skirt. Apparently, she saw it as unprofessional in an intern, which was a selection process.
Thank you so much for the invaluable advice! Loving the positive yet not too overly optimistic outlook on the job hunting scene in Japan. As opposed to all the doomers out there gate-keeping/shaming Japan based on their limited negative experiences. Your tips were indeed practical and conscise! Saving it for future reference! 😄 On a side note, I would love to see you make a video fully in Japanese. Would love to see your Japanese level (non-judgementally ofcourse!). Especially as person who has gone through some amounts of formal education in Japan and has been working in there since.
Congrats on getting N1 thats insane, and your masters in japan! Jea with n1 you can work anywhere you want you basically in the same boat as the natives except maybe even more attractive coz you understand the global market at a whole different level even without studying global markets
I’m in Japan now on vacation. I have watched many of your videos in preparation. Thank you for your content. I’m also from Florida - I understand the shrug 😜 Congrats on the new job. The suit is super cute.
Whoa so interesting to hear about your transition from JET to the “real world” haha I’m coming to Tokyo next month on the JET program and am SUPER excited! Your videos have all been super helpful! Currently enjoying the adventure of apartment hunting from overseas haha! 🤭🙃Anyways totally random but would love to meet up someday in Tokyo for pretty food!
Definitely found this very helpful and insightful. - I kno you mentioned before 1 of the reasons you’ve decided to go to college in Tokyo was for more networking opportunities. I am def taking notes on this advice
I think it's badass that you are documenting a cool adventure most people would be scared of being in a foreign country you are doing the thing new sub here nice to meet you I'm Toni from nyc
Hey Allison! Great video as always. I currently work for an eikaiwa in Sapporo and i really like it, but i definitely don’t plan to stay in this job for a long time. Maybe 4-5 years tops. This video has got me thinking about how to plan for the future and what could be my next step. I’m working on my Japanese ability so if I can get N2 or N1 maybe I could find a good job! 🎉
In my role as a Pharma executive with a global focus, I've observed the allure of higher US salaries, tempered by the realities of living costs, taxes, and healthcare expenses. Japan's Pharma landscape offers stability, even with comparatively lower but still comfortable salaries. Notably, executives here tend to foster enduring relationships with a single company. While my work predominantly is in English leading both Japan and US, EU members, my casual proficiency in Japanese is helpful for operational tasks. Additionally, Japan's affordability and safety further contribute to its appeal. This comparison underscores the US's dynamism and Japan's stability, highlighting the choices professionals navigate. Ultimately, the decision depends on individual priorities, whether one seeks to work in Japan's stabilizing environment or the dynamic opportunities of the US.
You can start an llc in the US, then apply for a managers visa for japan. You'll need 50k usd ammount in a japanese bank account, you don't need a 4 year degree. This route is for those individuals with $ and willing to spend and pay that high tokyo tax for no voting rights. It's a self sponsorship, you will also need to rent ie buy a office space in japan, you'll essentially be starting a branch office of your american llc. This route, you'll essentially be buying your 1 year visa, then 3-5 year visa on the second application, and maybe, after a few years, maybe even permanent residency in japan.
I appreciated learning about the salaries in Japan. I recently visited Tokyo last month and enjoyed all the food! It was so inexpensive to eat out in Japan vs. what I'm used to where I live (Bay Area, California). Here, a bowl of ramen costs at least $17.00-$20.00! In the bay area, $60,000-$70,000 per year would not be considered upper middle class....not even middle class due to the high cost of living here.
When I vacationed in Japan I felt really dumb. Noticed so many foreign college students or workers who were at N1-N3 level w/ biz skill sets. Meanwhile just JLPT5 waddling around 😂 feeling proud I mastered Suica cards.
this might be random but would you consider making a full video in japanese? just a fun idea :D i'm an aspiring jet and your videos have made me excited/hopeful/informed about living there! thanks
Hi Allison, thanks for the video. Honestly, your job sounds similar to the one I just left to join JET lol. Really hoping I can land something in the same vein after a year or two...and if I snag an N2 😅
This was great! I'm a new viewer and haven't seen your content before but this video was so helpful I'll be sure to subscribe ❤ I'm actually one of those design ppl working in tech in the US 😂 so the salary difference is significant going to Japan. I was considering if it'd be worth it and how to go about that and try to keep my fame income and it's probably not possible 😅 I really appreciated your perspective on this and sharing your journey 🎉 I also went to college in Florida lol we prob went to the same school low-key 😂 I didn't start studying Japanese until after graduating though and heard of JET then too. Anyways, I hope to learn a lot from your videos and congrats on your new job!! 🎉
You educated yourself there, moved there, did part time did teaching there and learnt the language. If someone from Asia did the same in the U.K./US they would get a job here as well. It’s not luck, you met the requirements. As a non native you bring things other people can’t as well, diversity is good for most companies (not saying that’s why you got the job!)
You look pretty with the shuukatsu attire 🥰🥰🥰. Congratz from achieving N1 and for your new job. I'm a subscriber (but I usually just lurks and watch new videos and rarely comment).
Thank you for sharing. I was wondering if you can make a video for apartment rentals for foreigners in 2023 in Japan in City and/or rural? I always have a bucket list wish for living in Japan for at least a year to experience the country/culture and nature/season Japan have to offer.
Great video, Allison! I'm currently on the job hunt right now in Tokyo and I'm hoping my experience as a data analyst back in the states will help. So happy you landed a job you enjoy! 😊
You have a good mindset on weighing the benefits of being in Japan but making less than the US. I work for a nonprofit in Ohio so my salary is way less than if I were at a for-profit but the work I believe in and the PTO/benefits are great so it helps to outweigh the low pay.
Allison thank you for this video, I have been following your vlogs for a while and very happy to hear that you are employed! My son is about to finish his first semester at Kyoto U grad school in a couple of weeks. I have not heard you mentioned about internship. Is internship a common practice in Japan? Even though he has working experience before going to Japan, more is always a plus!
Hi Allison, I would rethink the black suit if you are changing jobs because usually it gives pretty strong new grad vibes. I think this is especially the case if you are applying to tech jobs. Been here for 14 years and have switched jobs multiple times in business casual
Very good point I forgot to mention!! Uniform is definitely more for entry level positions. I’m not familiar with the tech scene, but yeah it definitely depends on the position and vibe of the company
When the video first started, I thought to myself(Oh No! Salary Woman!........ LOL!). But upon watching the rest of it, I'm very happy for you & your new career(You Did It!). Sounds like a great job(for you). I hope you do decide to stay in Japan for a long time(maybe dual citizenship someday?), so you can keep making more great Japan videos! 😁😁😁
Thank you for sharing! Question about the pension thing: I heard that pension payments are required as you mentioned, but you can’t bring your contributions with you back to the US. Is that not right, am I mistaken?
It occurs to me that one of the draws of JET is that recent grads can pay off, or at least pay down, their student loans. JET is looking for recent college grads of high caliber, and the pay is an incentive--putting their futures on hold for a couple years, but getting international experience and being able to pay down those loans.
Thank you so much for this video! It’s really interesting to see what’s the work environment in other countries like. Do you know what’s the average working hours per week in Japan for a full time job? In Germany it varies between 35 and 41 hours per week.
Really depends but I believe companies that take in foreigners tend to have more sustainable work hours. Jobs in creative and publishing sectors are notorious for long hours, without overtime pay is the standard. I'm surprised by Germany's work hours, since Germany and Japan are often compared for similarities in their cultures.
Do the universities have co-op programs. At University of Calgary in Alberta Canada is where I went to. In Business school you could opt into the coop program where they link companies to students snd as part of the program you have social days where companies are invited to a meet and greet kind of evening. You can interact, ask questions, share your ideas and even inquire about projects you can get involved in as part of your course work. In Business school it is heavily project based so if you have a real problem to work on it helps get your name out there. It’s how I got my job. But all your ideas work too.
The current exchange rate is ridiculous. I have a good friend who’s paying US federal loans, and she’s really stressed out since she lives and works in Japan with her husband. I’ve almost considered doing currency exchange right now since my husband and I plan on visiting soon. The exchange rate is just really good on the USD side.
Not sure how helpful this is, but there's also a new job visa called "specified skilled worker", which doesn't require a bachelor's degree and lets you work in Japan for up to 5 years. It includes things like machinery, electronics, agriculture, tourism, nursing. I remember hearing you generally need N2, but I can't find confirmation online. It's supposed to address labor shortages, so dunno how high the chances of getting one are, but it could at the very least get you a foot in the door
I do know that in some cases if you have over 10 years of experience then you can bypass the bachelors degree requirement but obviously don’t think a large percentage of people moving here would have that!
you mentioned networking events and Facebook. I live in Tokyo and have searched for networking events through Facebook and never seem to find anything, do you have any recommendations? like a site or a group I can follow?
Honestly I have no idea how it is for foreigners… 😂 I think not too bad though as long as you can secure residency! I think it’s pretty good for Japanese people though! Pension, health insurance is very cheap for older people, etc!
Yeah I do data science, the best I saw was in Japan was like 70k usd. I make like 135k at each of my jobs (I work 2, overemployed, yay). So I’m very interested living in Japan but the sheer quality of life difference would be wild
Allison, great info. My daughter is starting college and wants to do Jet in the future. We both recently visited Japan and were enamored. Was applying to grad school there pretty straightforward? May I ask what field your masters is in? Thank you
Sounds like with the kind of job you got having a youtube channel already was definitely a plus. Did you mention your channel when you were being interviewed, or did they ask you about it?
I have 10 years exp as a software engineer / game programmer ( which I started in Japan) but after living in the UK and returning in the near future to Japan with my wife I really want a working class job like a bus driver or a vending machine attendant - just drive around Tokyo every day and fill vending machines, with set hours and none of the salary man / company worker bullshit
I'm studying english with your videos and I have one thing to talk to you. Thanks. I love Japan and I'm starting love you too. sorry for the weird comment.
Hi! Thank you for this video! Question though, how do you transition from JET to a different job/path visa-wise. Di d you have to change your visa to a work visa to a student visa (when you transitioned from JET to grad school?) and since JET is a government funded opportunity do they require you to go back to your home country first or something? Hoping you can shed some light. Thank you!
Mostly really good higher end schools like in bigger cities have student exchange programs I graduate high school in a poor small town and we didn’t have any exchange programs. Sometimes it comes down to luck. But once you’re grown you can work towards anything.
My school personally didn’t have any programs and I did the research and application myself after deciding I wanted to do it 😅 I went through the YFU program on a partial scholarship ❤
You look nice in a suit! Was wondering if you had taken the GRE exam for your Master’s Program and if you had any tips or recommended study material to pass. I’m trying to start a Masters program here in the states and have to do the GRE exam.
It's possible to get a job without a Bachelor's degree, right? There are language schools with 2-year programs that culminate in students being accepted to vocational schools, and I don't think that such schools award a Bachelor's degree.
Yes, as I mentioned school is one path! But ultimately if you try to get a job outside of that vocational path one day it may be very difficult 😣 But it’s definitely an option if you are passionate (and good at networking haha 😆) !
at 8:20 you say something like "mon a month "right after tax". Is that indeed what you are saying there? If not, what is the after tax take home pay? also at 13:20 you mention "LinkedIn died job"? I googled it as you requested, but no idea what you were saying there. Could you provide a link?
Hi! Thank you so much for your insight. You mentioned needing a 4 years bachelors - in the UK and many other European countries, our bachelors take 3 years to complete - I was wondering whether you specified “4 years” because that’s a normal American thing or if it must be a bachelors + a masters degree for those of us who did a 3 years bachelors degree?
It's just a bachelor's degree, not masters. You basically just need to be a graduate. It's not specifically 4 years. In Australia for example the bachelor's is also 3 years and that's fine to enter JET etc.
FINALLY REVEALING MY JOB ARE YOU HAPPY!!! ALSO! I realize now that I was not explicit about this in the video btw, but my side hustle doing TH-cam and Instagram is what led me to get most of my job interviews (and my current job!!)! I literally listed it on my resume lol 😎 But that's because I wanted to do this kind of job where my experience in social media is actually useful!!!
(AND NO I DON'T HAVE TELEGRAM THAT IS A SPAM BOT PLEASE REPORT IT JFREIUGHJFR)
Yay Allison!! Awesome job update. So very excited for your career journey!! We love your enthusiasm and clear, concise information!! You should be an international news correspondent!! You present yourself very professionally!! Arigato gozaimasu for all your hard, hard work every day!!
@AllisoninTokyo We need to talk
We are happy for your adventure it's fun to watch and observe
Hey Allison! Congrats on the job 👏 my wife (also named Allison) and I recently moved to Japan to study at a language school for 2 years. The end goal being to get jobs after we pass N2. In your job hunting experience does work experience mean more to most japanese companies? My wife has a degree, but I don't, but I worked for a big Japanese company in the states for 10 years. Just curious about you or your friends experience job hunting 😃 thanks again!
Allison, I would like to ask. Does the sallary posted in a jaoanese company website is a gross or nett sallary ? Thank you.
My son recently passed N4 and is working on N3 with his tutor. It's not an easy process by any means.
I'm moving to Tokyo next week. My goal has been to find work in Games Development. I'm going to be studying the langauge first and then I will be looking for a games job. I have been working as a Software Engineer for the last 4 years and I have 2 Bachelors Degrees (1 in Games Development, 1 in Computer Science). Thanks for all of the great info in this video, I feel pretty confident in my plan (I'm also a Virgo) after watching this. It's looking very achievable.
Where did you go to school for games development?
@@mariahgraham3634 SAE Creative Media Institute. It’s in Australia.
how are you getting on ? this sounds like me too so would love to hear any advice
@@bakerboyplayz5254 i’m 3 months in now, learning japanese has been sped up significantly which has been great because otherwise it would have taken me years to get anywhere. I’m still a pretty long way from the goal though. I took the N4 exam yesterday, not sure how I went. I have met foreigners working in games here, it’s definitely a long process to get there and your salary will definitely be very small (~¥5M/Yr). It’s not easy but i’m still optimistic that it is doable and that I will be able to achieve it.
But man there is no question that my American salary would go incredibly far in Japan. The apartment rent in my wife's hometown is very cheap. I would not need a car. Public transportation is cheap and reliable. Meals are tasty and inexpensive. Wow !!!!!!
Most countries an American salary would go far. But yeah its only really us has those as due to health care and other things you pay out of pocket for.
Hi Allison, it’s great to know that you’re working in a job sector that you’re enjoying and also still getting to use your hard earned language skills. I think the most important thing apart from the advice you gave was the fact you are happy and have a great quality of life. I really liked your honest advice and I hope others will find it interesting if they are starting out in their job career path. Thank you for sharing this and best wishes to you
thank you!! yes money is important for sure, but it’s not everything 🥰🥰
Hey Allison! Fellow todai graduate school student here. I'm graduating next month and just signed a contract with a company in tokyo offering close to what I used to make back home, which is much higher than the average here. Its been an intense year of job-hunting and I only just arrived in Tokyo last June so I literally had a year to take japanese classes, do JLPT, work part time, finish my thesis and find a job. It's not been easy so I know what you went through! がんばってね！
You are an incredible young woman with drive and intelligence and most of all inner strength. ❤
🥰🥰
call me crazy, but I think you can live a good life here in the US for $70,000 also. I live in a small apt in California and drive a modest car or catch public transportation/walk. I scrap by with two people living on $80,000/year and I save for retirement and have a nest egg. maybe I differ for society in the sense that I've accepted that it's expensive here and I refuse to fall into consumer traps. I cook basic meals and have a limited wardrobe. I'm content and know I can earn more if I wanted, but I value time so I live within my means. Thank you for sharing such intimate details. It gives great perspective into a foreigner's life in Japan.
All but one of my jobs involved some sort of networking among my friends or co-workers. Anything from informing me of an opportunity, to creating a position for me once my availability was discovered. As an old dude, my advice is to be kind and nice to people. It not only makes life better, it really helps with job hunting!
yes!! just being nice and not burning bridges can really go a long way
This has not been my experience 🙁 or maybe I don't know how to play the networking game
@@arisdelag.a2708 My whole point is that it's NOT some game to play. Simply be kind. Go out of your way to be nice. Just because it's a great way to live. But, it can also sometimes lead to people being nice in return. They tend to keep you in mind when opportunities pop up. But, that shouldn't be your goal. My advice is to make the decision to be a considerate human, and lots of good things happen - for you and others. I hope that makes sense.
I see, still hasn't been my experience but hopefully things will change soon for the better. Thank you for the clarification though 🥰.
I love to see your videos on sundays. It's funny and relaxing.
I wish I was a half of smart that you are. I also think that you're right: networking is the key to apply for new jobs, new projects, etc.
I wish you good luck in this new job.
🥰🥰🥰
I want to work in Japan, hopefully in graphic design or the design field gonna put myself out there and do my best!
This is definitely helpful to share if someone is looking to work in Japan from an other country. 👍🥰
I love your video!!! You give the best advice regarding living in Japan 🇯🇵, and finding a job. Some TH-camrs just blame the culture. 😒😒😒 Also, I agree NETWORKING is everything in Japan and having lots of Japanese friends in Japan makes your life easier living in Japan. Plus, they can give you great advice on culture and idioms to describe the situation. I just subscribed to the channel and keep it up. Also, the black suit is smart, Japanese people see it as a fact that you respect their culture. I noticed Japan 🇯🇵 loves subtleties (small details).
Nice video! My experience was very similar. I started off as an alr for 1 year then switched over to an animation company in tokyo. Knowing japanese definitively speeds up the process finding opportunities but once you do competition is not too bad
Thank you for the insightful tips and recommendations Allison. My thoughts on getting a job/experience is to register with an employment agency who has clients you aspire to work for. Most recruitment websites will list who their clients are and job vacancies which aren't advertised on job seeker websites. After sending in your CV and cover letter to a recruiter, a good recruiter will match you to opportunities their company receive from clients.
I knew I was forgetting something! Mentioned getting hired as a recruiter but not the other way around 😂 Yes, going through an agency can be really good for people depending on your goals!!! Especially for tech or management roles 🎉
Wow, what a reminder. I always avoid visa talk because I just get given the 5 year Entertainer visa every time and I know how hard people have to work for theirs.
(Professional dancer incase people are wondering)
As someone with a coding background and work expierence, the only thing that is missing is to finish my bachelors degree 🤔(mental stuff & covid wasn't really helpful 😞) and maybe keep learning more japanese 😊. I just hope one day it all works out and I can work in japan 😁.
Thank you so much for posting your advices and about the expierences you have.
Good luck!
good luck you can do it!!! 👏
If you have 10 years of experience working you don't need a bachelor's degree!
Good luck my daughter is 26 and only has one class for data science degree. Mental health first.
When I was younger, I thought about working overseas, but the Japanese corporate culture scared me off. I would only do it now if I can come in as a chuuzai at my current employer. The cost savings are huge.
Im almost 40 and don't have my shit together. Just now applying for JET. Amazing to see how you planned everything out so young
You look very serious and business like. Thank you for sharing your job and experience with us.😊
business 😎
oha! Just realized I was not subscribed. Changed that immediately :)
Thanks for all the advice! Networking is my nightmare but hopefully it'll get easier when i live somewhere with more mobility. Japanese trains and busses are soooo good! Gonna miss them when i go back to driving everywhere 😢
I'm so glad you got a more modern company to work at❤ Japanese office expectations can be pretty intense
Another awesome video. The ideal, for me, seems to be an American salary (with remote work) and a Japanese apartment and lifestyle. But the problem for me would be the time difference. I think my employer might allow me to work remotely from Japan, but I am not sure they will allow me to work Japanese office hours. And if I try to work American office hours, I will be sleeping during the day and working at night, which probably isn't healthy. The only way it would work is if my firm allows me a very limited window of phone calling and Zoom meetings with the main office.
The visa is what gets in the way of this 😢 But really the expats who are moved to Japan by their company from the US or something and are still being paid their US rate are the ones definitely living it up here 🥹
@@AllisoninTokyoalso working in Japan even remotely for a U.S. company requires you to pay taxes here which some companies don’t want to deal with because you need someone to take care of that side of things here in Japan.
@@Briannal884 Shoot. Thanks for the info. At first I thought that with remote work in the U.S. I would get the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, plus NOT pay Japanese tax. But my google searches of Japanese accounting websites suggest you are right. Japan will tax my remote earnings even though it is paid by a US firm to my US bank account. That seems unfair because the general rule seems to be I only owe income tax (at least for the first five years) on foreign sourced income remitted to Japan. But since I do the work while physically in Japan, I guess that's NOT foreign sourced income. Oh well. But I guess I can claim the Foreign Tax Credit for any Japanese tax I pay, and reduce the tax I pay to the IRS.
I'm so happy for you, that you landed in a job that sounds like such a good fit!
tysm for this video :) i'm also from fl going to japan with JET next month!!
Congratulations on your job, it sounds amazing!! Thank you so much for making this video!! I have just graduated high school and I am taking a gap year to attend language school in Tokyo as well as get some work experience in marketing (in Europe). This video has provided me a lot of clarity and motivation !! To be honest I was quite unsure on what to major in after my gap year and what programs I should be applying to. I am very nervous about entering the work field and have a lot of uncertainties. However watching this video cleared up so much for me 😭💕 especially in regards to finance, job hunting, and even hearing about your job sort of inspired me about my own career path. The job I currently have in Europe is very similar to what you’re doing and I enjoy my job a lot at the moment, but I wasn’t thinking of taking any kind of business or tech related stuff in university however I think I’m going to consider it now! I am a very creative person but was worried I wouldn’t be able to find any jobs like that, especially in Japan. I am also going to look more in the JET program, which I’d do consider briefly a while ago but I’m going to circle back to. There’s defiently a lot of planning to do and I’m not going to jump to any conclusions but really, thank you for posting this. I feel much more motivated now after watching this 💗🫶☺️
My son is American, and your same age 26. He just graduated with his masters degree there and is starting an IT job there in a few weeks. Company is sponsoring his visa. He was able to come back to the US for 10 days last month and the first thing I purchased with him was a black suit since he didn’t have one yet-when I visited for his graduation in March, I noticed that the entire student body and faculty were all wearing black suits with white shirts.
Yes the obsession with black suits in this country is a bit extreme 😂 Congrats to your son!
It's a dressed down version of formal clothing, particularly for official ceremonies. It's usually dark navy, blue, black, or charcoal grey, and always a white-shirt and conservative tie for official events. In IT industry, most people are business-casual at work, unless they are meeting clients.
But certain industries are more elitist. I remember hearing British financial firms won't hire candidates wearing brown shoes and a dark suit. And a I remember an American Managing Director getting angry that a summer intern was not wearing a skirt. Apparently, she saw it as unprofessional in an intern, which was a selection process.
Glad you got a job you like! Thanks for the useful insights!
Thank you so much for the invaluable advice! Loving the positive yet not too overly optimistic outlook on the job hunting scene in Japan. As opposed to all the doomers out there gate-keeping/shaming Japan based on their limited negative experiences. Your tips were indeed practical and conscise! Saving it for future reference! 😄
On a side note, I would love to see you make a video fully in Japanese.
Would love to see your Japanese level (non-judgementally ofcourse!). Especially as person who has gone through some amounts of formal education in Japan and has been working in there since.
Congrats on getting N1 thats insane, and your masters in japan! Jea with n1 you can work anywhere you want you basically in the same boat as the natives except maybe even more attractive coz you understand the global market at a whole different level even without studying global markets
Very informative video and so glad you are enjoying your job 🎉❤
I’m in Japan now on vacation. I have watched many of your videos in preparation. Thank you for your content. I’m also from Florida - I understand the shrug 😜 Congrats on the new job. The suit is super cute.
Congratulations!!! 🥳
I hope due to the specific of your job you won't experience the typical Japanese office politics 😊
Whoa so interesting to hear about your transition from JET to the “real world” haha I’m coming to Tokyo next month on the JET program and am SUPER excited! Your videos have all been super helpful! Currently enjoying the adventure of apartment hunting from overseas haha! 🤭🙃Anyways totally random but would love to meet up someday in Tokyo for pretty food!
Definitely found this very helpful and insightful.
-
I kno you mentioned before 1 of the reasons you’ve decided to go to college in Tokyo was for more networking opportunities.
I am def taking notes on this advice
Great tips! Making friends and networking seems to be the most difficult part about living here
I think it's badass that you are documenting a cool adventure most people would be scared of being in a foreign country you are doing the thing new sub here nice to meet you I'm Toni from nyc
We love you, Allison. ❤️
Hey Allison! Great video as always. I currently work for an eikaiwa in Sapporo and i really like it, but i definitely don’t plan to stay in this job for a long time. Maybe 4-5 years tops. This video has got me thinking about how to plan for the future and what could be my next step. I’m working on my Japanese ability so if I can get N2 or N1 maybe I could find a good job! 🎉
In my role as a Pharma executive with a global focus, I've observed the allure of higher US salaries, tempered by the realities of living costs, taxes, and healthcare expenses. Japan's Pharma landscape offers stability, even with comparatively lower but still comfortable salaries. Notably, executives here tend to foster enduring relationships with a single company. While my work predominantly is in English leading both Japan and US, EU members, my casual proficiency in Japanese is helpful for operational tasks. Additionally, Japan's affordability and safety further contribute to its appeal.
This comparison underscores the US's dynamism and Japan's stability, highlighting the choices professionals navigate. Ultimately, the decision depends on individual priorities, whether one seeks to work in Japan's stabilizing environment or the dynamic opportunities of the US.
You're a Virgo?! Fellow earth sign here! ♑ No wonder I like your videos 😂 Congrats again on the job!!! 🙌🏻
You can start an llc in the US, then apply for a managers visa for japan. You'll need 50k usd ammount in a japanese bank account, you don't need a 4 year degree. This route is for those individuals with $ and willing to spend and pay that high tokyo tax for no voting rights. It's a self sponsorship, you will also need to rent ie buy a office space in japan, you'll essentially be starting a branch office of your american llc. This route, you'll essentially be buying your 1 year visa, then 3-5 year visa on the second application, and maybe, after a few years, maybe even permanent residency in japan.
I appreciated learning about the salaries in Japan. I recently visited Tokyo last month and enjoyed all the food! It was so inexpensive to eat out in Japan vs. what I'm used to where I live (Bay Area, California). Here, a bowl of ramen costs at least $17.00-$20.00! In the bay area, $60,000-$70,000 per year would not be considered upper middle class....not even middle class due to the high cost of living here.
When I vacationed in Japan I felt really dumb. Noticed so many foreign college students or workers who were at N1-N3 level w/ biz skill sets. Meanwhile just JLPT5 waddling around 😂 feeling proud I mastered Suica cards.
this might be random but would you consider making a full video in japanese? just a fun idea :D i'm an aspiring jet and your videos have made me excited/hopeful/informed about living there! thanks
I haven't seen your videos in a long time, just saying hi from Colorado springs.
Thanks to this video I got the courage to reach out to a contact in Japan doing the kind of work I'd like to do. Networking!
👏👏👏
Hi Allison, thanks for the video. Honestly, your job sounds similar to the one I just left to join JET lol. Really hoping I can land something in the same vein after a year or two...and if I snag an N2 😅
I loved this video thank you for speaking with so much clarity about this topic and congrats on your job 😊❤
Super informative, allison! Thank you!!!
This was great! I'm a new viewer and haven't seen your content before but this video was so helpful I'll be sure to subscribe ❤
I'm actually one of those design ppl working in tech in the US 😂 so the salary difference is significant going to Japan. I was considering if it'd be worth it and how to go about that and try to keep my fame income and it's probably not possible 😅 I really appreciated your perspective on this and sharing your journey 🎉 I also went to college in Florida lol we prob went to the same school low-key 😂 I didn't start studying Japanese until after graduating though and heard of JET then too. Anyways, I hope to learn a lot from your videos and congrats on your new job!! 🎉
Hi dear how do I get a social worker Job in the USA
You educated yourself there, moved there, did part time did teaching there and learnt the language. If someone from Asia did the same in the U.K./US they would get a job here as well. It’s not luck, you met the requirements. As a non native you bring things other people can’t as well, diversity is good for most companies (not saying that’s why you got the job!)
You look pretty with the shuukatsu attire 🥰🥰🥰.
Congratz from achieving N1 and for your new job. I'm a subscriber (but I usually just lurks and watch new videos and rarely comment).
Thank you for sharing.
I was wondering if you can make a video for apartment rentals for foreigners in 2023 in Japan in City and/or rural? I always have a bucket list wish for living in Japan for at least a year to experience the country/culture and nature/season Japan have to offer.
It’s hell if doing English Eikawa teaching only. Great if you enjoy it and balanced it with more to widen horizons.
Great video, Allison! I'm currently on the job hunt right now in Tokyo and I'm hoping my experience as a data analyst back in the states will help. So happy you landed a job you enjoy! 😊
Nice good luck!!
You have a good mindset on weighing the benefits of being in Japan but making less than the US. I work for a nonprofit in Ohio so my salary is way less than if I were at a for-profit but the work I believe in and the PTO/benefits are great so it helps to outweigh the low pay.
Allison thank you for this video, I have been following your vlogs for a while and very happy to hear that you are employed! My son is about to finish his first semester at Kyoto U grad school in a couple of weeks. I have not heard you mentioned about internship. Is internship a common practice in Japan? Even though he has working experience before going to Japan, more is always a plus!
Hi Allison, I would rethink the black suit if you are changing jobs because usually it gives pretty strong new grad vibes. I think this is especially the case if you are applying to tech jobs. Been here for 14 years and have switched jobs multiple times in business casual
Very good point I forgot to mention!! Uniform is definitely more for entry level positions. I’m not familiar with the tech scene, but yeah it definitely depends on the position and vibe of the company
When the video first started, I thought to myself(Oh No! Salary Woman!........ LOL!). But upon watching the rest of it, I'm very happy for you & your new career(You Did It!). Sounds like a great job(for you). I hope you do decide to stay in Japan for a long time(maybe dual citizenship someday?), so you can keep making more great Japan videos! 😁😁😁
Thank you!! Only way I’m wearing a full suit to work everyday is if I’m making a looot of money 😂 Aiming for permanent residency!!!
Thank you for those tips Allison!
Thank you for sharing! Question about the pension thing: I heard that pension payments are required as you mentioned, but you can’t bring your contributions with you back to the US. Is that not right, am I mistaken?
It occurs to me that one of the draws of JET is that recent grads can pay off, or at least pay down, their student loans. JET is looking for recent college grads of high caliber, and the pay is an incentive--putting their futures on hold for a couple years, but getting international experience and being able to pay down those loans.
Honestly, you look amazing in a suit, with your hair tied back.
Thank you so much for this video! It’s really interesting to see what’s the work environment in other countries like. Do you know what’s the average working hours per week in Japan for a full time job? In Germany it varies between 35 and 41 hours per week.
Really depends but I believe companies that take in foreigners tend to have more sustainable work hours. Jobs in creative and publishing sectors are notorious for long hours, without overtime pay is the standard. I'm surprised by Germany's work hours, since Germany and Japan are often compared for similarities in their cultures.
Thanks Allyson ❤
Good job! 👏. Congratulations!
Congratulations Allison!
Do the universities have co-op programs. At University of Calgary in Alberta Canada is where I went to. In Business school you could opt into the coop program where they link companies to students snd as part of the program you have social days where companies are invited to a meet and greet kind of evening. You can interact, ask questions, share your ideas and even inquire about projects you can get involved in as part of your course work. In Business school it is heavily project based so if you have a real problem to work on it helps get your name out there. It’s how I got my job. But all your ideas work too.
So cool you’re doing what you love!
The current exchange rate is ridiculous. I have a good friend who’s paying US federal loans, and she’s really stressed out since she lives and works in Japan with her husband.
I’ve almost considered doing currency exchange right now since my husband and I plan on visiting soon. The exchange rate is just really good on the USD side.
Not sure how helpful this is, but there's also a new job visa called "specified skilled worker", which doesn't require a bachelor's degree and lets you work in Japan for up to 5 years. It includes things like machinery, electronics, agriculture, tourism, nursing. I remember hearing you generally need N2, but I can't find confirmation online. It's supposed to address labor shortages, so dunno how high the chances of getting one are, but it could at the very least get you a foot in the door
Congrats on the job!!! Networking in the US is also important. How do you learn business keigo?
“it’s not spontaneous i’m a virgo” 😭😭
I do know that in some cases if you have over 10 years of experience then you can bypass the bachelors degree requirement but obviously don’t think a large percentage of people moving here would have that!
you mentioned networking events and Facebook. I live in Tokyo and have searched for networking events through Facebook and never seem to find anything, do you have any recommendations? like a site or a group I can follow?
Hi Allison! I'm a new subscriber and fellow Floridian in Japan! I enjoyed this video a lot. Did you study in Orlando, too? Good luck in your new job!
Congrats on passing the N1!
Thank you! Is Japan a good place for older people to retire since the cost of living seems less?
Honestly I have no idea how it is for foreigners… 😂 I think not too bad though as long as you can secure residency! I think it’s pretty good for Japanese people though! Pension, health insurance is very cheap for older people, etc!
Yeah I do data science, the best I saw was in Japan was like 70k usd. I make like 135k at each of my jobs (I work 2, overemployed, yay). So I’m very interested living in Japan but the sheer quality of life difference would be wild
Thanks so much! The salary though huhu
Thank you so much for all this info!! T_T I really love your vibes. Sorry for the question, new follower, but...what did you study?
Allison, great info. My daughter is starting college and wants to do Jet in the future. We both recently visited Japan and were enamored. Was applying to grad school there pretty straightforward? May I ask what field your masters is in? Thank you
hoping to make my way out there sometime. would be a dream
Sounds like with the kind of job you got having a youtube channel already was definitely a plus. Did you mention your channel when you were being interviewed, or did they ask you about it?
Oops, you wrote that above. Duh.
I have 10 years exp as a software engineer / game programmer ( which I started in Japan) but after living in the UK and returning in the near future to Japan with my wife I really want a working class job like a bus driver or a vending machine attendant - just drive around Tokyo every day and fill vending machines, with set hours and none of the salary man / company worker bullshit
I'm studying english with your videos and I have one thing to talk to you.
Thanks.
I love Japan and I'm starting love you too.
sorry for the weird comment.
Hi! Thank you for this video! Question though, how do you transition from JET to a different job/path visa-wise. Di d you have to change your visa to a work visa to a student visa (when you transitioned from JET to grad school?) and since JET is a government funded opportunity do they require you to go back to your home country first or something? Hoping you can shed some light. Thank you!
I dont know if this counts for Japan too, but since our cultures share some things , it probably works at smaller companies. Personal introduction.
Thanks for this video!! A local Flordian🍊
Hi! Could you explain how did you get to study in Japan at 16? Is this a standard thing in American schools that you're able to study abroad?
Foreign exchange student programs are pretty standard in American high schools, yeah
Mostly really good higher end schools like in bigger cities have student exchange programs I graduate high school in a poor small town and we didn’t have any exchange programs. Sometimes it comes down to luck. But once you’re grown you can work towards anything.
My school personally didn’t have any programs and I did the research and application myself after deciding I wanted to do it 😅 I went through the YFU program on a partial scholarship ❤
You look nice in a suit! Was wondering if you had taken the GRE exam for your Master’s Program and if you had any tips or recommended study material to pass. I’m trying to start a Masters program here in the states and have to do the GRE exam.
I took it in the US before coming here but don’t really have any specific tips, just used a random study book and youtube 😎
It's possible to get a job without a Bachelor's degree, right? There are language schools with 2-year programs that culminate in students being accepted to vocational schools, and I don't think that such schools award a Bachelor's degree.
Yes, as I mentioned school is one path! But ultimately if you try to get a job outside of that vocational path one day it may be very difficult 😣 But it’s definitely an option if you are passionate (and good at networking haha 😆) !
It's possible, but your choices would also be limited to that particular vocation. Having a bachelor's opens more doors.
at 8:20 you say something like "mon a month "right after tax". Is that indeed what you are saying there? If not, what is the after tax take home pay?
also at 13:20 you mention "LinkedIn died job"? I googled it as you requested, but no idea what you were saying there. Could you provide a link?
@6:50 "Abroad". Is "abroad" the US or Japan? It sounds like you're referring to US. Next step is Japanese citizenship!
🤪🤪
Hi! Thank you so much for your insight. You mentioned needing a 4 years bachelors - in the UK and many other European countries, our bachelors take 3 years to complete - I was wondering whether you specified “4 years” because that’s a normal American thing or if it must be a bachelors + a masters degree for those of us who did a 3 years bachelors degree?
In the US 4 years is standard for a bachelors degree
It's just a bachelor's degree, not masters. You basically just need to be a graduate. It's not specifically 4 years. In Australia for example the bachelor's is also 3 years and that's fine to enter JET etc.
Congratulations 😊
Can and old person like me lol do Jet? I have a Communications BA
JET doesn't have any age restrictions for applicants. Whether or not there is a bias towards younger applicants is up for debate.
U think it’s possible to get a job after language school+vocational but without any 4y degree?
W video