Supporting Job Hunting of Foreign Students - Josai International University Togane Campus - Center for Career Development and Placement Office (SHUSHOKU Center)

Oct 5, 2026

Guidance material describing difficulties faced by foreign students when job hunting in Japan and explaining how Japanese recruitment schedules work. It outlines key differences between students graduating in March and those graduating in September, including timing of tests, interviews, and preliminary offers, plus the role of government-influenced schedules and related internships. It also addresses information gaps, recommending job-matching and recruiting websites, advising careful selection of site versions, and warning that using the wrong platform or timing can waste opportunities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Difficulties foreign students face

Difference between mother countries and Japan

Finding job-hunting information

Recommended websites and cautions

SUPPORTING JOB HUNTING OF FOREIGN STUDENTS Josai International University Togane Campus Center for Career Development and Placement Office (SHUSHOKU Center) Bldg. F, 1st Floor Phone:0475-55-8888 Difficulties foreign students face when they do job hunting in Japan. 1. Difference of the situation of students’ job hunting between mother countries and Japan. 2. Don’t know how to get information about job hunting, and less information available for foreign students. 3. Not enough Japanese language skill for Japanese business scene. Don’t know Japanese business culture. 4. What companies require and what foreign students hope for do not match. 5. Students are unaware of visa requirements for job hunting after graduation. 1. Difference of the situation of students’ job hunting between mother countries and Japan. ①All Japanese students graduate in March, and all start working on April 1 . (Although recently year-round recruitment has increased, the nome is “April start”.) ②To get hired in April, students need to search for a job , have tests, job interviews, and get preliminary offer of hiring while at university. ③ Japanese job hunting activities startson 1st March, 13 months before graduation. Basically, Japanese companies and students follow this schedule created by the Japanese government. However, in actuality, internship programs closely related to job hunting start 18 months before graduation. 3 rd year or Master 1st year students who entered JIU in April might be surprised that they are scheduled to start job hunting soon. ④Major recruiting websites (MYNAVI, RIKUNAVI, CAREER+) control a big part of students’ job hunting activities. They offer information about “how to job hunt”, Internship, job offers, etc…and hold recruiting events, too. Many major to middle size companies use these websites for recruiting students. Students need to use these efficiently. ⑤Students of 4 year universities are expected to apply for “Flexible Position”(SOGOSHOKU) . It means “executive trainee”. Experiencing work in several sections of the company, branches, and learning all aspects of the company’s business to become managers in the future. In effect, new graduate workers are not offered specific positions such as “Sales Person”,“Market Planner” or “Personnel Assistant”. Technicians and Specialists are not included in SOGOSHOKU. Job Hunting schedule in Japan | Japanese / Foreign Students who graduate in March | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 3rd Year Undergraduate 1st Year Master’s Course | | | | | | | | 4th Year Undergraduate 2nd Year Master’s Course | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | | Prep
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Graduation | Start working | | Foreign students who graduate in September | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 4th Year Undergraduate
2nd Year Master’s Course | | | | | | | | | | | | | Visa Status : Designated Activity (“Job Hunting”, or “waiting” if you have hiring offer.) | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | | 9 | | | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | | 4 | |

FAQs

What is the main difference in job hunting timing between Japanese students and foreign students?

Japanese job hunting for April hiring follows a government-influenced schedule, with activities starting around 1st March and requiring interim steps by the time of graduation. In practice, internships connected to job hunting often begin about 18 months before graduation, which can surprise students.

Why can foreign students struggle to find job-hunting information in Japan?

Information about how to job hunt may be limited for foreign students, while major recruiting sites can be designed primarily for Japanese students. The material recommends using job-matching websites and other resources that provide guidance on resumes, interviews, and job fairs.

How should students be careful when using recruiting websites like Mynavi 2022?

The guidance stresses that each site version targets specific graduation and work-start months. Using an incorrect version wastes time—for example, joining an internship program when the site does not match the student’s graduation/work timeline may prevent receiving job offers.

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Anna Hans