February News /2月の ニュース

Hey everyone!

February is coming to an end but it looks like we'll have a few more days of brutal cold weather before spring.

Spring in Japan brings promises of warm, leisurely days along riversides under canopies of blossoming cherries, red-faced from sake and laughing with friends and co-workers. It also means graduation theses, job hunting, moving season, and a new fiscal year.

Although the pressure of trying to finish your graduation thesis while preparing for interviews and the SPI can feel like too much to bear, try to make time to enjoy the abundance of natural beauty around you during one of Japan's most magical seasonal transitions. Your physical and mental health will thank you later.

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Congratulations to those of you whom will graduate in 2012 and have already received "naite" notifications from companies. Only one more month before your new life and career in Japan begins. Remember that if your company isn't providing you with a dormitory-type option, that rooms can fill up quickly this time of year so start your apartment search early.

For those 2012 graduates who have yet to receive "naite" from a company, not all hope is lost: you can still extend your visa for 6-12 months in order to continue job hunting in Japan.(See: "Tokuteikatsudo") You'll need a letter of recommendation from your university, and you'll need to prove that you've been job hunting if you wish to re-extend your visa after the initial six months, but the chance is still there. Some small-medium sized companies continue hiring throughout the year or offer additional hiring opportunities in the fall.

On that note, I'd like to take this opportunity to mention a few things our project has been up to lately.

●Last week, Feb. 23 & 24, our project held back-to-back days of company seminars at L-Osaka near Temmabashi station. 8 companies over the two day period presented before groups of 40-60 international students in a small, intimate setting, giving students the opportunity to ask questions directly in order to gain a strong grasp of the company. Japan's top "revolving-sushi" share holder, Akindo Sushiro Co., made a strong appeal to international students as it plans to aggressively target the global sushi market, opening it's first store in Korea later this year.

I'd like to thank all of the students who participated in the seminars. I hope that it was a valuable experience.
For those of you whom were unable to attend, it appears that we unfortunately do not have any more company seminars planned for the immediate future.

● Career Counseling at Osaka University (Suita Campus)

Our project will offer free career counseling at Osaka University (Suita Campus) on Tuesday, March 6 from 12pm - 5pm. This is a great opportunity to get advice on job hunting. Even if you are almost finished with your search, you can still come in to practice your interview skills.

New Year News

皆さん、新年明けましておめでとうございます。
ご存知かと思いますが、今年は旧暦こよみによって龍の年です。天を目指す龍のように、皆さんも日本で就職する夢を叶えましょう！

さて、当プロジェクトの最近の活動について報告させていただきます。

・え？外国人雇用サービスセンターどっか行っちゃったの？
12月末に大阪外国人雇用サービスセンターが移転しました。現在、阪急グランドビル
の16階にありますので、間違えないように！下記のリンクで確認！
http://osaka-foreigner.jsite.mhlw.go.jp/e-toppage/guide_to_center.html

・1月14日（土）に我々が外国人留学生のための合同企業説明会を開催しました！
102社が出展していただき、当日来場者が約1,150人でした。また、企業と一緒に働くインターンシップ生100人も一日頑張っていただきました。
皆さんのお陰で日本最大級就職イベントになりました。お疲れ様でした。

・2月23日（木）に当プロジェクトがまた外国人留学生のための合同企業説明会を開催する予定です。今回は規模が少し小さいですが（5社出展予定）、その一方ゆっくりお話が聞けるではないかと思います。イベントは午前9時から開始する予定ですが、また出展企業や詳細などについてここにて報告します！たびたびチェックお願いします。

Happy New Year everyone!

As you probably know, it's the year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calender - a time for big dreams and success.
I hope this year is a fruitful one for everyone in their job hunting activities.

Anyway, here's a brief update on what's been going on so far this year:


-The Osaka Employment Center for Foreigners has changed locations. It is now located on the 16th floor of the Hankyu Grand Building. Check out the link for their English website: http://osaka-foreigner.jsite.mhlw.go.jp/e-toppage/guide_to_center.html


- On Saturday, January 14, we held our 4th and largest job fair at My Dome Osaka. 102 companies participated with an overall attendance of about 1,154 international students.


- On Thursday, February 23, our project will hold a more intimate job fair for international students featuring five companies. It is scheduled to start around 9am and last until 5pm. Once we have confirmed which companies will participate we'll post more detailed information here. Advance registration is necessary, so make sure to check back!

Registration for the "2012 Job Fair for International Students" NOW OPEN! 「2012年外国人留学生のための合同企業説明会」特設サイト開始！

留学生の皆さん、こんにちは。

最近関西地方がドンと寒くなってきて、そろそろ雪でも降りそうな感じだなと今朝ふと思いました。

さて、皆さんはご存知かと思いますが、3月の震災の影響により、
多くの企業の採用活動が遅れている。
そしてエントリーが例年より二ヶ月ほど遅れている現状。
外国人留学生と問わず、日本人にも大変「難職」
になっています。

外国人留学生を積極的に採用したい企業100社が終結！！

こんな厳しい状況の中、大阪府と株式会社パソナにより、
「外国人留学生のための合同企業説明会」のエントリーが開始されました。

場所：マイドームおおさか
日時：　1月14日　10:00～19:00
出展：100社（予定）

「事前申込みはこちら」　→→　http://www.grs-project.jp/jobfair/index.php　←←

参加することによって沢山の企業の人事と会えるし、今まで知らなかった会社と出会えるし、
とてもいい機会だと思いますので、皆さん是非参加してみてください。
それでは、お待ちしております！

Hello international students and fellow foreigners in Japan,
After a few days of nice weather last week the temperatures have dropped down below the seasonal average. This morning it felt like it might even snow although I know it's still well above freezing.
At any rate, as many of you know, as a result of the terrible tragedy that affected Northeastern Japan, many Japanese companies have delayed their hiring process by around 2 months. This places both international students and Japanese students alike in a difficult situation as the stagnant economy has also made job hunting increasingly more difficult.

Regardless, Osaka Prefecture and Pasona, Inc. will co-host a job fair for international students on January 14, 2012 featuring 100 companies actively pursuing international students.
You can sign-up for the job fair in advance by filling out the necessary information at the link below.

                               →→　http://www.grs-project.jp/jobfair/index.php　←←

This is a great opportunity to meet with company HR representatives, discover new companies, and put your business Japanese to the test.
We look forward to seeing you next year!

Reflections From a Previous Intern

Hey international students!
How's your job search coming? At this point, you're probably busy filling through hundreds of company profiles on rikunabi trying to find a company that suits your needs.
Finding the right company for you online can be a real challenge. Why not meet several companies at once and speak directly with their HR representatives?
Next January our project will hold a Job Fair for International Students featuring 100 companies that seek to hire international students. We will also offer a one-day internship opportunity to 100 students who wish to polish their business Japanese skills by working directly with HR representatives from one of the 100 companies participating in the Job Fair.
Below you'll find an informative and thoughtful reflection written by one of the interns from our last job fair in June. He is currently finishing up his last year in school and has already accepted a position with a Japanese company. Here's what he had to say:

 ●○Report of My Internship at Tiger Corporation at the Job Fair for International Students○●

For this event, I participated as an intern at “Tiger Corporation.” The company I would be interning at was announced on the day of the event and I was excited as I wondered which company I’d be assigned to.

However, the company I was appointed to was not one in which I had much interest.

It was then that I realized that the most important thing is not whether or not I’m interested in the company, but rather how I’d make the most of the opportunity. I thought, “Here’s a company that works hard to make a profit and secures employment for many people - does it really matter how we students evaluate the company based on its name or reputation? I thought it rude toward the company to think such a way when we students were the ones seeking employment.

Being assigned a company to which I didn’t want to be assigned I had a big realization.

It became a catalyst which changed the way I would approach job hunting.

During the internship, I did everything from help prepare the company booth to going out and inviting students to come visit Tiger Corporation’s booth. The most fun part for me was inviting students to our booth after receiving a lot of information about the company.

The students walking around the event hall, choosing which company booths to attend, looked exactly like me.

Because of this I thought about what kind of approach would be best for someone like me and invited students to visit the booth I was working at. As I expected I felt joy when students gathered.

In truth, for this internship I was looking for the opportunity to have a long conversation with the HR representative; however he was completely swamped with dealing with other students.

During this internship I was unable to talk to the HR representative about what kind of qualities companies are looking for or what kind of job hunting is the most effective.

However, I realized that the students walking around were just like me and I was able to think profoundly about the concept of a company.  

I was also able to see and hear the opinions of students who visited the booth from a different perspective.

To sum it up briefly：

1. For this internship I was appointed a company in which I had no interest.（This was my prejudice at the time.）

2. However, my thoughts about the company, its industry, and even myself changed.

3. I was able to hear the concerns of other students like myself. This was very beneficial for me.

4. Riding home on the train I felt an incredible excitement as a result of having experienced something that changed me.

 Many international students are worried as they struggled to put everything into order. I was the same. Like me, I think that this kind of internship will be a good catalyst for others as well. Everyone, please continue this kind of wonderful activity.

I’d like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart at the Global Recruiting Support Project.

Thanks for sharing. If anyone else would like to opportunity to be an intern at the upcoming Job Fair for International Students next January, please contact us at:  grs_rookies@spice.ocn.ne.jp

More Job Fairs on the Horizon: 100 Companies

Hot Enough?
Good afternoon international students and other foreigners in Japan!

With highs forecasted in the mid-30's for the rest of the week, it looks like the intense summer heat isn't going anywhere. And with nationwide efforts to save energy (節電), finding sanctuary amidst the "steam bunning" (yes, I just made that up) heat may not be as easy as walking into your nearest convenient store and collapsing on the magazine rack (OK, maybe it is...). Still, there are ways to enjoy the summer without agonizing over the unrelenting heat.

I recommend finding green space to relax in or taking the train out of the city to the beach on weekends. Instead of dreading the summer months, just sweat it out - enjoy and embrace the heat. Eat ice cream or a cold cucumber, wear a yukata, buy a kiddie pool and annoy your neighbors with a balcony pool party, hold an impromptu invasion of the kamogawa, or work on your "yanki" look and let yourself bake in the sun for the rest of summer. Ok, enough about the heat.

Job Support Osaka held its third job fair of the year yesterday. Although much smaller, with only 5 companies, it provided a great opportunity to get up close and personal with HR staff members. Tsurumi Pump was by far the star of the show, as only one of two companies hiring non-science related majors.
In all about 60 people came out. Less than what we expected, but hopefully someone from the group finds a home at one of the five companies that participated.
Massive Job Fair Next Year

It has been confirmed: In January of next year Job Support Osaka and The Global Recruiting Support Project (Osaka Prefecture/Pasona) will host a job fair featuring 100 companies. I have yet to thoroughly research this fact, but 100 companies may constitute the largest job fair for international students/foreigners in Japanese history! Expect a lot of the same companies as last time (Sharp, Panasonic, USJ, Best Life) as well as many new companies looking to beef up their global departments.

This job fair will be open to students graduating in 2012/2013 as well as recent graduates (*those whom have graduated within 3 or less years). Of course you could still come if you do not fall into one of those categories, however there may be only a few companies that are hiring outside of those guidelines.

Additionally, we will be offering half-day internships for roughly 110 students. Each company booth will have one student intern, with the remaining 10 students working as event staff. Unlike last time, students will be informed of their respective company before the day of the event and may even be required to visit the company beforehand. We hope that increased interaction with the company will provide a smoother, more rewarding experience, as well as increase the company's interest in the intern.

I'll keep you up informed and up-to-date on when the recruiting process for interns will begin. You can expect the first meetings to be held early next month.

Until then, good luck and good hunting.

Interview Tip: Entering and Exiting the Interview Room 【面接の入退室の流れについて】

On paper it looks easy; spoken it sounds simple: open the door, walk in, close the door.
Of course, as you should already be aware, nothing about the job hunting process in Japan is simple - and this is no exception.

Being confident is key in an interview, so the last thing you want is to be nervous about something as fundamental as entering and exiting a room. Below are a list of simple steps to help you navigate your way through this simple yet somewhat baffling process.

【Regarding entering and exiting the interview】
 
You’ve made it through the document screening process and at last you’re ready for the interview but once you get there you realize there are still some things you are unsure of…

"How should I enter the room?”

“Is it OK to be holding my coat and briefcase?”
"When should I say Shitsureishimasu?

If you simply remember this pattern, you’ll be able to speak more confidently once the actual interview begins.
（１）Knock “3” times with the back of your hand (lightly)
（２）Open the door and enter the room

・Upon hearing “Dozo” from inside, open the door slightly. 　　・With an energetic “Shitsureishimasu”, enter the room.　　・With your body turned sideways, politely close the door with both hands (if possible).
（３）First Greeting　　・Facing the interviewers, smile and greet them with “Shitsurei-itashimasu”.　　 ・After greeting the interviewers, stand up straight and bow at a 45 degree angle. (Make sure you completely finish saying Shitsurei-itashimasu before begining your bow.)

（４）Proceed to your seat.　　・Proceed to your seat and stand next to it.　　・Place your briefcase next to the chair and drape your coat over it, folding it slightly.
（５）State your name and your school’s name　　・While making eye contact with the interviewer, state your「school name・department・name（full name）」in a loud and clear voice. 　　・Lastly say,「Yoroshiku O-negai-itashimasu」and bow.
（６）Sit down　　・Once the interviewer makes the offer「Dozo O-kakekudasai」,　　　with a slight bow say “Shitsureishimasu” and take your seat. 　　・With good posture, sit on the front 2/3 of the chair（７）When the interview has finished　　・While still seated, say “Honjitsu arigatou gozaimasu”
（８）Stand and Greet　　・Stand in front of your chair and say “Shitsurei-itashimasu”, and bow at a 45 degree angle. 

（９）Final Greeting　　・Proceed to the door while holding your things and stop before the door. Turn around and face the interviewer, greeting him/her with “Shitsurei-itashimasu”　　・Open the door, exit the room and quietly close the door behind you

【面接の入退室の流れについて】

書類選考を通過し、ようやく面接にすすむことができた
ものの、実際にその場に立つと分からないことばかり・・・

「どうやって部屋に入ればいいの？」
「かばんやコートは持ったままでいいの？」

この流れをしっかり覚えておくだけで、面接そのもので
自信をもって話すことができますよ。


（１）手の裏で「3回」ドアをノックする

（２）ドアを開け、中に入る
　　・中から「どうぞ」という声が聞こえてからドアを少し開ける
　　・「失礼いたします」と元気よく言って入室する
　　・体を横に向けて、両手で静かにドアを閉める

（３）はじめの挨拶
　　・面接官の方に向き、「失礼いたします」と笑顔で挨拶
　　・挨拶した後、姿勢をまっすぐにして４５度のお辞儀をする

（４）椅子まで進む
　　・前に進み、椅子の横に立つ
　　・かばんは椅子の横、コートはかばんの上に丸めて置く

（５）学校名・氏名を名乗る
　　・面接官の目をしっかり見て、はっきりとした大きな声で
　　　「大学名・学部名・氏名（フルネーム）」を言う
　　・最後に「よろしくお願いいたします」と言ってお辞儀をする

（６）椅子に座る
　　・面接官に「どうぞおかけ下さい」とすすめられてから
　　　「失礼します」と軽く会釈して着席する
　　・姿勢よく、椅子の後ろを3分の1ほど空けて座る

（７）面接が終わったら
　　・座ったままで「本日はありがとうございました」とお礼を言う

（８）立ち上がって挨拶
　　・椅子の前に立ち、「失礼いたします」と言ってから
　　　４５度のお辞儀をする

（９）ドアの前で最後の挨拶
　　・荷物を持ってドアに進み、ドアの前で立ちどまり、面接官の
　　　ほうに振り返って「失礼いたします」と挨拶する
　　・ドアを開けて退室し、静かにドアを閉める

Only 4 Days Until The 2011 Job Fair for International Students

Hey international students and other stumblers.

Happy New Year!

I hope you enjoyed your winter vacation. I realize most of you were probably really busy with part time jobs and other job hunting activities, but I hope you were able to spend time with friends and family.

I was fortunate enough to do the former. I also had an opportunity to witness Osaka's transformation into a somnolent ghost town as many of its residents fled back to their inaka for some quiet family time.

Things have hence returned to normal and in the spirit of the entrepreneur Ebisu,  I wanted to post a reminder that the 2011 Job Fair for International Students is just around the corner, this Saturday, January 15.

Presently, 938 students have already signed-up for the job fair, putting us about 60 short of our 1000 goal.
Nevertheless, it's quite impressive and just goes to show many active and serious international students there are. We've received applications from all over Japan as well as from students from the US and Australia.

If you are a student in Kansai or have the means to travel to Osaka and have yet to sign-up, make sure to sign-up for free at our website: http://www.grs-project.jp/
You can still come without signing-up in advance, but signing-up in advance is highly recommended (failure to do so will require that you spend quite a significant portion of time on the day of the event filling out entry forms by hand...).

Of the 60 companies participating, some of them are only offering positions to international students they meet at our job fair.

This is a great opportunity to meet with several Japanese companies that are seriously invested in hiring international students. Don't let it pass you by.

See you Saturday!