gunmajet.net

I found this post recently and I thought those of you leaving JET might find it interesting.
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Content quoted below.
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"Don’t exaggerate :Unless you have 1-kyu at the very least, if not a JETRO qualification or translation experience too, there’s not a lot of chance of you actually using Japanese in work. Sorry, but that’s the reality. Don’t pretend you can speak Japanese (or any other language or skill in fact) if you can’t do it. Also, the vast majority of bilingual posts go to the Japanese expat community. There are lots and lots of Japanese people who are very good at English out there (just none in Fukui, it seemed at the time).

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Be realistic: And on top of that, many Japanese employers abroad seem to take a dim view of JET, not really counting it as work it all. It’s the fresh graduate jobs we need to compete for, not the ones that ask for 3 years experience. The top tip for returning JETs is that you simply aren’t going to walk into anything other than an entry-level job unless you had previous experience before JET. And yes, this may mean a significantly lower salary too. If you had no previous experience before JET, now would be the time to sort out that internship whilst you (hopefully) still have some money left from living tax- and rent- free in Japan.

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But all is not lost: Where JETs really score highly is knowing all about Japanese culture/work environment etc etc. Many Japanese employers abroad do value Japanese experience (not just JET but Nova/Geos or anything) as ex-JETs fit in well to the Japanese corporate workplace, whether it be as a graduate trainee or a sales assistant. So, yes, even Japanese fashion shops would rather take ex-JETs than any non-Japanese-experienced candidate with years of retail experience. I know that to some extent this contradicts previous points, but the key is the junior level of the jobs. It’s not going to apply for any skilled positions I’m afraid.
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Investigate Japanese employers: Although it may be something you are already aware of, you may still be surprised at the size of Japanese investment abroad. There are probably thousands of Japanese owned companies in big cities in the UK and US London alone, not including restaurants. If you’re an ex-JET living near a Japanese company in a rural area, you’ve got it sorted. Go and introduce yourself and talk to the HR people, see if you can do some work experience or just chat.
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Japanese companies are not nirvana: A shitty job is a shitty job, no matter what nationality of company you work for. Even though you may get to work for a Japanese company and get to use (some) Japanese at work and have lots of fun Japanese colleagues who say “Kawaiiii”・a lot and like enkais and karaoke at the end of the day if it’s not something you love, the novelty wears off.
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Think about what you want ・I know this gets drummed in at everyone leaving Japan but it’s really important. A little prior planning will help you to hit the ground running when you go back. Don’t fall in to the trap of lazing around for too long and getting so broke you have to take the first job offered. Looking back, I really wish I’d taken a temp job, in an office or bar or whatever, within the first couple of weeks of getting back. I could have made a couple of grand in the time I spent getting up late and filing my Japan photos. And really, there is nothing worse in an interview than the candidate who says 'i'd like to work at anything'. You NEED to have some idea of what you would and wouldn't like to do.
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For UK people ・Sign on the dole as soon as you get back. I don’t think there are any rules about time limits any more (don’t quote me) and the government gives you money for free. Result! Even if you’re only out of work for a few days you can get some benefit. Plus, importantly, it keeps your National Insurance payments up and that will be crucial as you won’t have paid any whilst in Japan. I’m dead serious. Do it the day after you get back! I don’t know the unemployment rules for other countries but I guess it might apply too.
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If this all seems really negative, my apologies. But every week candidates come in to see us who have lived in Japan and have big ideas about their future only to be horribly let down. You need to choose a career then AFTER that look at how you can apply your Japan-related skills. For me, I’m still interested in going into HR (although I’m going off the idea!!!) and so a recruitment position is a good start at the bottom of the ladder. If I keep up Japanese and get some more experience in personnel then, and only then, will I walk into an HR job with Sumitomo or Mitsui. Boring but true."