This article provides guidance for international students who have just arrived in Japan on how to find a job that suits you. The insights are based on ten years of experience offering jobs to foreigners through Peregre Works.
Find a Job Near You
Consider the following points:
- How far is it from your starting point (school, apartment etc) to the closest train station or bus station?
- How far is destination bus or train station from the job?
- Is it possible to commute by bicycle? Is there a place to park a bicycle?
We have seen many cases where students choose jobs too far away due to necessity, only to find the commute unbearable and decide to resign from the job soon after. So we recommend that you think deeply about the points above, calculate the total travel time, and imagine your daily commute to the job so that you know it will be comfortable and manageable for you on a regular basis.
Peregre Works offers a service that helps you find jobs near your current location.
Find a Job that Matches Your Japanese Language Level
When searching for your first part-time job in Japan, you might think that most jobs will require you to speak Japanese. There are jobs that require little to no Japanese, as well as jobs that require conversation with Japanese people or reading and writing in Japanese.
You can find an explanation of what each JLPT level means here:
JLPT-N5 (Some basic Japanese)
- Hotel bed-making
- Dishwashing
- Supermarket backroom
- Cleaning jobs
JLPT-N4 (Basic Japanese)
- Kitchen staff in food and beverage establishments
- Hotel bed-making
- Factory work (e.g., bento box assembly, food production)For JLPT-N5 to N4 levels, jobs typically do not require direct interaction with Japanese customers. A basic greeting in Japanese to your boss and colleagues can be welcoming, and having compatriots at work can help with language support.
- Warehouse picking
JLPT-N3 (Everyday Japanese)
- Food service (hall staff)
- Convenience store staff
- Supermarket cashier
For JLPT-N5 to N4 levels, jobs typically do not require direct interaction with Japanese customers. A basic greeting in Japanese to your boss and colleagues can be welcoming, and having compatriots at work can help with language support.
For the JLPT-N3 level, the expectation is to be able to interact with Japanese customers in service roles. We have also prepared a video summarizing the essential service terms used in restaurants, specifically what is expected in restaurant service.
Spring is a busy season for job hunting as many international students look for their first job in Japan. At Peregre Works, we are fully committed to helping you find the right job, offering various employment opportunities.