2 When you look for a job
When you look for a job in Japan, please contact the Public Employment Security Offices (PESO).
A Public Employment Security Office (hereinafter referred to as "PESO") provides foreign nationals with employment services such as vocational counseling, offering information about job, just same as Japanese nationals. There are 601 PESO offices located in major municipalities throughout Japan (including the area offices and branch offices). All offices are connected with an on-line system, enabling you to obtain job vacancy information from any PESO in Japan. Please contact a PESO nearby when you look for a job. Information on job openings can also be obtained from the Hello Work website, where users can carry out searches for the latest job openings. The listings include not only fundamental information such the type of job, income level, and conditions of employment, but also now includes (at the request of employers) the employer's name, location, and telephone number. The site can be viewed at the following URL http://www.hellowork.go.jp address (this service is available in Japanese only):
Those who don't feel at home in the Japanese language can visit "The Employment Service Corner for Foreign Workers" which some PESOs have, where interpreters are assigned. Also, there is "The Employment Service Center for Foreigners" in Tokyo and Osaka for foreign university graduates and foreigners with special knowledge and techniques. In addition, those of Japanese descent can visit "NIKKEIS" in Tochigi Labour Bureau PESO Utsunomiya, Gunma Labour Bureau PESO Oota, Chiba Labour Bureau PESO Chiba, Tokyo Labour Bureau Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners, Shizuoka Labour Bureau PESO Hamamatsu, Aichi Labour Bureau Nagoya Gaikokujin job Center, and Osaka Labour Bureau Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners , and the Center of Information and Support for Foreign Workers (CIATE) In Sao Paulo, Brazil which provide vocational counseling, etc.
How to find a job at PESO
PESO is open, in principle, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch between 0:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.). It closes on Saturdays, Sundays, National holidays and from December 29 to January 3. Some PESOs have "The Employment Service Corner for Foreign Workers" where interpreter could help you. However, these interpreters are not always in the office. They attend the corner on determined days and hours. These hours might be subject to change, so that it is advisable for you to ask PESO by phone in advance, or take your family member or a friend who is familiar with Japanese.
When you visit PESO to find a job at first, please register yourself at "reception". You fill out a predetermined "application form" to register. As this form will be used for PESO to provide work-related advice and introduce possible job opportunities to you, please ensure that the form is completed accurately. If there is question in writing this application, do not hesitate to ask the staff.
Based on the information you provide, the staff will discuss with you your future course of employment, taking into consideration factors such as your desired occupation, working conditions, etc. After registration, you will be issued a "PESO Card". By presenting this card on your subsequent visit, you can receive employment counseling services at any of the PESOs in Japan. Also taking into consideration your abilities (any qualifications or licenses you may have, your professional experience, etc.) and suitability for any given position, PESO staff will help you gain reemployment through the counseling services.
Upon finding a position that is suitable for you, the staff will make the arrangements for you to attend an interview and/or exam with the employer in question. However, the chance may not be given for certain reason, e.g., the enterprise has already employed someone else.
The staff will need to confirm that you are eligible to work in Japan, therefore you will need to bring both your Certificate of Alien Registration and your Passport when initially registering at PESO. Please do not forget to bring these two documents with you.
When the date of interview is fixed, PESO gives you a "letter of introduction". Check the date, hour and place of interview on the letter. Some employers may ask you to bring other materials to the interview (such as your resume). Please inquire to the staff and confirm what (if any) additional documents you will need to prepare before your interview.
How to Read the Job Postings
Interview and employment
Most enterprises ask you to prepare "resume" for the interview. The resume is the document that will be used by the prospective employer to gauge your suitability for any given position. As it is a very important document, care must be taken in ensuring that it is completed in a neat and easyto-read manner. Standardized "resume" form is available at stationers. You have to fill out the resume with black or blue pen or ballpoint pen.
Be careful not to be late for the interview. If an accident prevents you from arriving on time, you have to call the person in charge of interview whose name is indicated on the "letter of introduction". Also, if you want to cancel the interview, or change the date or hour, you have to call and consult with this person.
After the interview, you might be admitted, or not admitted. Even if you are admitted, you can decline the employment when you are not agreeable. In some case, the employer might suggest less favorable condition, according to your ability than that indicated in the job application card. If you are to agree to the employment, you should confirm the working condition again with the employer.
If you are declined by that employer, you can consult with PESO again. Please do not hesitate to visit us.
It is illegal to conduct business of dispatching workers to another enterprise or providing placement service without authorization. Please be careful not to fall prey to illegal brokers when looking for a job in Japan.
In Japan, there are following regulation on recruitment of workers, placement service, dispatch and so on.
(1)On recruiting workers
On recruiting workers, employers are allowed to recruit workers by putting ads in newspapers, etc. An employer who intends to entrust brokers, instead of his/her own employees, to recruit workers must obtain permission to do so from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
(2)On fee-charging employment placement
The Employment Security Law authorizes the operation of fee-charging employment services under the permission of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
But the operation of fee-charging employment services concerning the harbor express and construction is not permitted.
(3)Prohibition of labour supply service
The Employment Security Law in principle prohibits labour supply service which sends employees to work for other people, except for the following system of dispatching workers.
(4)On dispatching workers
The worker Dispatching Law prescribes that an employer has to obtain the license from, or report to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, when the employer dispatches a worker employed by the employer to be engaged in work for another person under the direction of that person. It is illegal to conduct worker dispatching business without license or report.
The worker Dispatching Law prohibits the dispatching of workers in the following industries: the port and harbor transport industry, construction, security, medically-related work (limited to work in hospitals, medical clinics, maternity (birth) centers, nursing and care facilities for the elderly, and home-based care that occurs in the home of the patient, excluding dispatch for prospective placement). Undertaking of dispatching workers can be carried out for works except these works after obtaining the license from or report to Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
The number of illegal brokers who violate the Employment Security Law and the Worker Dispatching Law has been brought damages such as intermediary exploitation or vile dismissal of foreign nationals who contracted the brokers in order to find jobs, as the number of foreign nationals working in Japan increases.
When you look for a job, you should be careful not to contact illegal brokers, but go through official channels, such as PESO, fee-charging employment service operators or worker dispatching service operators.
When you would like to know if the employer has authorization of fee-charging employment services or worker dispatching services, please ask the staff of Prefectural Labour Bureau.
How to Write a Resume
