Most of the successful foreign graphic designers in professional agencies that I have met in Tokyo gained their jobs through personal relationships rather than answering newspaper ads. This isn't to say that agencies don't advertise jobs, but you'll find that with the sheer flow of people out of the design schools being...

There are many types of creative agencies in Japan, ranging from 5-person job shops through to full-service outfits of 100 people or more. Most of these companies operate under the iron rule of the founder and come across as sweat-shops of the old world. As such, they are...

It follows that a country as different and interesting as Japan would attract a high proportion of people in creative careers. I frequently get mail from fashion people, artists, and graphic designers wondering how to find work here. While I believe there is work in...

Most of my mail is from people struggling to find a job, so I was happy to get one from a guy who has the opposite problem: that of too many job offers to choose from. If you use a recruiter, this problem shouldn't occur, since they are supposed to prep the employer beforehand that...

I would like to present some unnamed examples of people I've known who have started their careers as regular employees in companies here in Tokyo and have aspired for more and risen accordingly. Let's start close to home. As an entrepreneur...

Most foreign CEOs I know who were appointed here in Japan as outsiders to the company, started off their CEO roles in smaller businesses first. It is surprising that wannabe CEO candidates don't understand this. I meet many interesting people who turn their noses up at...

Not so long ago, a long-term friend with extensive Japan experience called me from Silicon Valley asking if there were any CEO jobs going here in Japan. I have personally worked with this guy and know him to be an outstanding leader, communicator (bilingual), and technologist. But while I would hire him in an instant, for...

You'll recall that I was interviewing the very well presented Mr. K., a CIR from Miyazaki. We'd already checked his language skills to our satisfaction. After 3 years in the sticks, we find that most CIRs acquire a high level of polite spoken Japanese. Mr. K. was no exception. He'd explained to us that...

This weekend I happened to be going to Kyushu and one of my managers asked me early Friday morning to interview a candidate living in Miyazaki. We were to meet in Hakata, and I wasn't too happy about interrupting my break until she told me that he was a CIR (Coordinator for International Relations). You see, in our company the letters...

I continue my article about the US graphic designer looking for a job in Japan before becoming fluent in Japanese...This week I suggest some ideas to improve his chances of being able to land a decent job that earns enough to support his wife and young child...