Part-Time Jobs Questions (WHV)

3 comments

1. >Regarding the application process: would I need a CV in Japanese, or would an English one be enough? Also, do I need to have a phone number and a bank account at the moment of applying or can I get that on the go?

   The people at jobs catering to foreigners are aware that foreign CVs look different. You do not need a Japanese one. As for your phone, you should have a way for them to reach you. Japanese bank account is not really required and employers have to pay you in cash if you request it.

   >Regarding the interview process: how does it go for these types of jobs that are catered to foreigners that don’t speak the language? Are they typically conducted in person, online, or over the phone? Do I need to wear a suit or formal clothing in general? Are there any basic Japanese phrases or etiquette I should learn to leave a good impression, even if my language skills are limited? What are the general expectations employers have for someone like me, a non-Japanese speaker on a WHV?

   That’s a big *depends*. There are as many answers to this as there are potential employers. For most jobs, it’s better to dress up (at least wear nice trousers and a shirt), you can easily adjust “downwards” once you’re on the job.

   >Regarding the commitment: since I will be moving around during my holiday, how would the employers handle someone leaving after working just a few weeks? Or just switching jobs after a couple of days? Are they already expecting this if they’re hiring someone on a WHV? Should I let potential employers know upfront if I only plan to stay for a short time, or would that hurt my chances of being hired? I just wanted to ensure I’m not causing much trouble by leaving too soon.

   Would you hire someone and teach them the ropes if you knew they would be gone after just a few weeks or even days? Probably not. Most employers don’t know that on WHV you’re supposed to move around, it’s not a visa they come into contact with regularly. Most people I know who did WHV in the past stayed in two cities tops, so they were able to stay in the same job for a bit.

   >Regarding japanese job sites: If I use Japanese job sites like Baitoru, look for jobs that accept foreigners, translate the listings, and apply using a translator, do I have a chance of getting hired? When these sites mention they accept foreigners, does it generally mean they’re open to non-Japanese speakers, or does it usually imply that they expect some level of Japanese proficiency?

   Just think about this same situation if it happened in your country. A company posts in your language on a local job board, saying that they’ll also accept foreigners/people on a visa. Tanaka Taro, who translated the page, applies using ChatGPT. He then shows up, only able to speak Japanese. What would happen?

2. >how would the employers handle someone leaving after working just a few weeks?

   They’re going to be ***pissed*** if you don’t communicate that *before* they hire you.

   >Or just switching jobs after a couple of days?

   Take “pissed” and multiply it by a couple orders of magnitude.

   No one, ***no one*** is going to hire someone who is only going to stick around for a few days, or even a few weeks.

   >Should I let potential employers know upfront if I only plan to stay for a short time, or would that hurt my chances of being hired?

   How is this even a question you feel you need to ask?

   *Of course* you should tell them, and *of course* it’s going to hurt your chances of being hired.

   Again: No employer is going to want to hire someone who is only going to be there a couple days/weeks. So your chances of being if you’re up-front are effectively zero.

   However your chances of being hired if you *don’t* tell them are also effectively zero, because any employer who you do that to is going to go scorched earth on you. They’re going to tell anyone who calls for a reference exactly what you did, and if they know anything about your future plans they’re going to call potential employers in that area and warn them. And they would be entirely justified in doing so.

   >When these sites mention they accept foreigners, does it generally mean they’re open to non-Japanese speakers, or does it usually imply that they expect some level of Japanese proficiency?

   You’re asking if a job posting on a Japanese website, posted in Japanese… Expects Japanese language ability?

   Of course the answer is yes. If they were advertising for people who don’t speak Japanese they would be advertising in English.

3. Look at workaway for seasonal (ski resort, hostels) or short stints (farms, building etc.)