Job-searching woes

[reppu]

So um, I'm having a hard time with this "finding a job" thing. At this point, I'm 55% sure I'll go back home to America, but that's mainly because I can't think of anything else to do. One of the interesting things about applying to JET right out of college is that I don't have much life experience. I know how to find a summer job, but a real

Comments

[nekonezumi]

For what it's worth, I got my first full-time receptionist job through a temp agency. :D You can just go into the temp agency and fill out paperwork and do a typing speed test and stuff, and request "temp-to-hire" status, and if the company you're placed with decides to hire you after the "temp" trial period, you're set, and you'll get the experience you need to apply for some higher-experience-level jobs. *nod* The temp agency does all the work for you in terms of hooking you up with a company that matches your skills and job preferences--they get a cut of your pay while you're temping, but after you're hired, of course, you're paid directly by the company that hires you, and not through your agency.

I know a bunch of people who had really good luck with this sort of thing, and it wasn't just for secretarial jobs, either. ^_~ Just something to consider, anyway.

[gaminette]

I found this book ("Do What You Are") to be super-helpful when I was clueless and not knowing what I wanted to do when I grew up.

Is Atlanta the only place you're considering going back to in the States right now? Cuz Dude, you speak Japanese. The economy may not be great all over the world, but bilingual people in the business world, believe me, are always in demand. If you want to give administrative assistant stuff a go, why not check out the Japanese offices of American-based companies? Or Japanese companies with American-based offices like Sumitomo?

And you can always adapt whatever experience you *do* have to what you want to do. Again with the admin (please don't use the "s" word... ^_~): lesson preparation, patience (because a lot of what I do is Executive Hand-holding), listening skills, all of those things count for a lot.

gambatte ne!!!

[februaryfour]

I used CareerCross.

[reppu]

Sadly, I'm not bilingual, and all the jobs in Aichi require fluency. ;__;

I will keep it bookmarked and keep checkin' though! The more places I know, the better. ^^

[roseofjuly]

You're not bilingual? What's your definition of bilingual? You speak Japanese pretty well.

[reppu]

My definition of bilingual is native-level fluent. Maybe I set my standards too high? I mean, with a bit of time and an understand person, I can do nearly anything in this country, from opening an bank account to renting an apartment, but I can't pick up a novel in a bookstore and just give it a read (not without a massive dictionary and TEN YEARS). I suppose I the word wouldn't be "bilingual" per se, but "functional." I do want to be able to read though, because I'm a bookworm at heart, no matter the country. ^^;;

And how's your French these days? :D

[justsonya]

If you want to hunt in the US, wait until you're back on ground here. People in this economy are less likely to interview remote applicants than they are in a good economy. However, if you are going to hunt while here, give me a call as soon as you're landed and settled, and I'll show you how to work the job sites to get hired in no time at all. I'm a whiz at it.

[reppu]

Thanks for the tip! I didn't even think about having to interview back home. Guess I should really hop on updating my CV and buying a new suit! And I most certainly appreciate your generous offer to help me out. Depending on what happens, I might have to take you up on it! :D

[yes_rhade]

Good luck! Ha ve you thought about going to Grad school again? Coming over to Duke?

[reppu]

Have definitely thought of grad school, and I'll be doing it as soon as I get my applications in and get accepted somewhere. Have also thought about Duke, though their East Asian programs aren't as strong as the schools in the Northeast. Still, I'm lookin' and grabbin' what I can!

[roseofjuly]

NO COLUMBIA

COME TO COLUMBIA, WE HAVE EALAC (and the biggest East Asian library in the country, I think)