Going out and getting a job is a forgotten art. While the Japanese economy wasn't so great during the nineties, most of us somehow managed to hold down a long-term job. But the last 12 months have changed everything, and lots of mid-career people are finding themselves out pounding the streets again. Part of what we all learn when going to our very first job interview is...

With all the information out on the Internet, it's surprising how often I still get people asking me about the logistics of getting a visa and accommodation here in Tokyo. The answer to both issues depends on what kind of work you have lined up and how cashed up you are. My advice is mainly for...

In Japan's stagnant economy, very few sectors are doing well. These rare healthy sectors are characterized by some unique market factor that has created an unbalance and thus a business opportunity. One such sector is healthcare, where technological breakthroughs are occurring in pharmaceuticals, genomics, and medical technology. Healthcare needs increase as one ages, and Japan is...

Most foreign companies in Japan are "implementers" of company strategy rather than "developers" of it. This means that most global initiatives come from the head office, and local offices are expected to implement that initiative as best as they can. This, of course, can lead to all kinds of...

After being in a comfortable, well-paid job for a while, a lot of people lose their ability to survive on the streets. But in today's economy, more and more people in high-level positions are being summoned to their boss's office and being told the words, "You're fired." This is particularly true in the foreign banking sector here in Tokyo, where perhaps as many as 35,000 have already or will soon lose their jobs. With so many highly skilled...

Although this is supposed to be a column about jobs, sometimes it's helpful to think about where the economy and macro-market trends are going. This can help you plan ahead for major job moves, education decisions, risk-taking, etc. To consider the Japanese economy and the prospects here, one needs to remember that while...

The days of dot.com companies using charisma and stock options alone to attract talented people have long since passed. Nowadays, dot.coms are judged by the same criteria as other companies: working conditions, growth, commissions, profit sharing, and a friendly, professional atmosphere. Usually, I write about other people and other companies, but this time I thought I'd focus on DaiJob itself. We're in the recruiting business. Against the wishes of...

As an unspoken rule, most multinationals hiring foreign staff try to hire unmarried job applicants. The general thinking is that singles cost less, are easier to keep focused on the job (especially if long hours are involved), and are easier to reassign as the business requires. Having an unhappy wife, husband or kids that canﾕt adapt to Japanese culture can certainly be a huge challenge and distraction for a new employee. In my opinion, the biggest challenge for a foreign family with children is finding an...

Every now and again I join a gathering of other venture company CEOs in a group called the YEO (Young Entrepreneurs Organization). It's always interesting hearing what my innovative and "hip" Japanese colleagues are dreaming up for their latest service or product attack on the leaders in their respective markets. The YEO is a mixed bag of technologists, service industry types, and...

If you're a non-Japanese job seeker that has just arrived in Japan, you're no doubt looking for a job. The fact is, though, that most foreign companies have virtually no decision makers in town from the second week of December. Decision-making in most multinational companies usually involves at least 3 or 4 people. Involved in the decision will be the business manager making the hire, several other people on the same team, an HR person, and the overall Division manager. At least one of these people is likely to be a senior foreign person, and by the second week of December...