While Japanese work culture was known for its lifetime employment system, recent studies show that more and more employees are opting to change jobs in Japan mid-career in a term known as tenshoku (転職). In fact, 79.5% of companies were hiring mid-career staff between October 2023 and March 2024, according to Recruit Works Institute.
How does tenshoku work for foreign employees? What processes are involved, and do foreigners need to inform immigration? What are some common pitfalls to avoid? Let’s break down everything you need to know.
What is 転職 (Tenshoku) and How is it Different from 就職 (Shuushoku)?
転職 (tenshoku) refers specifically to changing jobs in Japan rather than looking for your first one. This is what separates it from 就職 (shuushoku), the term for job hunting as a fresh graduate. Unlike tenshoku, shuushoku involves a system where companies hire a certain number of recent graduates and place them into different departments depending on the recent hire’s skills and preferences, as well as the company’s needs.
Tenshoku, on the other hand, is mostly done on an individual basis, where the applicant themselves just applies to companies directly. Just like in most other countries, you usually apply to specific jobs that align with the experience you have already gained.
You might be wondering if there are fewer opportunities for foreigners in Japan? To learn whether this is true, read our blog: Working In Japan: How to Find a Job in the Japanese Economy
How Long Does the Tenshoku (Job Changing) Process Take in Japan?
There is no set number, but it often takes 3 to 6 months to change jobs in Japan. Usually, companies have a 1-month notice period, meaning if you decide to leave, you would need to let the company know at least a month in advance. This figure could vary from company to company and is usually written in the employee contract.
However, what takes the most time is the application and hiring process itself. Companies have to screen multiple candidates before moving forward with each stage, plus all the back-and-forth communication that’s involved. You will likely need to apply to multiple companies where you pass and fail different interview stages until you finally get hired by the right company.
The amount of time could vary. You might get lucky and align really well with one of the first companies you apply to. Alternatively, you could be applying and interviewing with different companies for close to a year before finding the right fit. Just know that every candidate gets rejected. So, don’t be discouraged when it happens. It’s all part of the process of finding the right company for you!
How to Do Tenshoku: Applying and Changing Jobs in Japan?
So, how do you actually do 転職 (tenshoku) or change jobs in Japan? Just like anywhere else, it starts with applying to companies and, of course, having your resume ready.
1. Apply through Job-Hunting Websites/Platforms
Most companies in Japan post job openings on different job-hunting websites and platforms, including the biggest ones such as LinkedIn and Indeed. These platforms are widely used by Japanese companies and recruiters, so if you make an account detailing your work experience, you can be scouted by recruiters who may have roles that aren’t posted publicly.
However, many Japanese companies use platforms that focus on the Japanese market such as Daijob, Wantedly, MyNavi, and Gaijinpot, all of which cater to foreigners looking to work in Japan specifically. Unlike LinkedIn, these platforms have functions that are particularly useful for foreign workers in Japan, such as filters for Japanese level and specific companies/recruitment agencies that hire in Japan.
No matter which platform you use, you can search for the type of job you want and apply directly through a job posting. But this is not the only way to apply for jobs in Japan.
2. Contact Hiring Managers Directly
On job-hunting platforms such as LinkedIn, you can usually contact the hiring manager for certain jobs or companies directly. Even if you don’t see a specific job post, it really doesn’t hurt to send a direct message to the company’s hiring or talent acquisition manager to ask if there will be openings relevant to your experience.
You might be surprised to hear that people do get opportunities this way, speaking from personal experience as well as from others. Contacting the company directly shows a type of initiative and interest that companies like to see, which seems to go beyond simply applying for a job posting. Once you contact them, they’ll usually ask for your resume, then get in touch about openings that align with your experience.
Even if there is a specific post you applied for, you can still contact the hiring manager to ensure they received your documents and to proactively ask if there is anything else they need to make the process easier. This can actually help you stand out from other candidates.
3. Applying on Company Websites Directly
Sometimes applying through a company’s website is the most direct and effective option. If there’s a company you’re interested in, a quick Google search should take you to their website. For companies you really want to work in, it’s always good to scour their website(s) to gather information about what the company does and what opportunities are currently open.
Applying directly through the company website is usually more effective for finding a company’s original job postings. You may also be directed to application forms that integrate better with the company’s hiring system. So, this can be better than applying through job boards or platforms, which are 3rd-party systems.
On the website, you might be able to find the Hiring Manager’s email on the job post, so as mentioned before, reaching to them directly doesn’t hurt. If you applied through the job post, you don’t need to send your resume again; instead, your message subject could confirm your application went through and that you’ve attached everything they need.
Wondering how to write a formal email in Japanese? Read our guide to find out everything you need to know: How to Write Japanese Business Emails
4. Writing a Japanese Resume: 履歴書 (Rirekisho) and 業務履歴書 (Gyomu Rirekisho)
So, if you are applying to a Japanese company or at least a company that requires Japanese, you will most likely be expected to submit a Japanese resume, or 履歴書 (rirekisho), as part of the application process. Simply taking your English resume and throwing it into a translator will not be sufficient (even if it’s a really good translator).
This is because 履歴書 (rirekisho) follows a specific template, where you must fill in your academic and work experience and outline your skills and other certificates (such as a Programming certification or even a driver’s license). You have to write everything according to the standard rirekisho template, so we actually provide one here: How to Write a Japanese Resume (Rirekisho): Free PDF Template
While a rirekisho might suffice if you’re a fresh graduate, for tenshoku, since you are changing jobs, you might need to discuss more of your work experience. This is where the 業務履歴書 (Gyoumu Rirekisho), also known as 職務経歴書 (shokumu keirekisho), comes in. Unlike a rirekisho, the shokumu keirekisho focuses more on your work experience, where you highlight your achievements in your previous companies.
It more closely resembles a Western-style resume: a brief introduction at the top, followed by your work experience and achievements, and then your skills at the bottom. Additionally, you usually write a “self-promotion” or a 自己PR (jiko PR) which focuses on your personal traits, work ethic, and even a narrative that describes your professional growth. You don’t really need to include your academic experience since that is already included in your normal rirekisho.
5. Passing Job Interviews
So, if your rirekisho and shokumo keirekisho pass the initial screening, you will be invited for an interview. In Japan, job interviews generally focus on whether your personality is a good fit for the company. Most questions will involve who you are, your strengths & weaknesses, and how you dealt with challenges or mistakes you made.
Japanese job interviews are very formal, so to increase your chances of passing, use keigo, or formal Japanese. Also, make sure you understand standard Japanese interview etiquette and practice answering common interview questions beforehand. Most interviewers will ask similar questions, but most importantly, be confident and express who you are and your passions for what you like to do at work.
Doing a whole interview in Japanese may seem daunting, but as you keep doing it, you’ll get used to how it goes and navigate it with confidence. Most job interviews have at least 2-3 rounds; usually, the final round will have you visit the office to meet the team and managers in person.
If you don’t have any Japanese ability yet but still want to work in Japan, there are plenty of opportunities you can apply for that don’t require Japanese.
6. Contract Negotiation
If you passed all of the interview stages, congratulations! You will usually be invited to the office again to negotiate the contract. Most companies will let you know that you are accepted and will send a copy of the contract prior to the offer meeting. It’s essential to review the contract carefully; it may be worth having another friend, especially a native Japanese speaker, review the details. Some companies might also offer an English-translated version of the contract.
Be sure to review specific contract terms, including salary, bonuses, and clauses about resignation or certain work conditions. These can often be early red flags, since companies might try to trap you with dubious non-compete clauses or fail to specify protections if the company tries to fire you unfairly.
Hopefully, everything goes smoothly, and you don’t have to deal with any of these issues. Just remember you can always negotiate terms that don’t sit right with you.
7. Submitting a Resignation Letter to Your Current Company
Once you’ve signed your new contract, the next step is to tell your current company you’re leaving. Resigning in Japan is a bit more formal than in many other countries, so it helps to know how the process works. Just make sure your new contract is signed before you hand in your notice, so you’re not left without a job if something falls through!
First, always talk to your direct supervisor before handing in anything in writing. Hearing the news from someone else, or finding a letter on their desk, can come across as rude, so it’s best to ask for a quick private chat and tell them in person. After that, you will usually submit a resignation letter.
You may see two types of letters. 退職願 (taishokugan) is a “request to resign,” which you submit while it’s still being discussed, and you can withdraw it before the company accepts it. 退職届 (taishokutodoke) is a “notice of resignation,” which is final and is used once your boss has approved your departure. Many people submit a 退職届, but some companies have their own template or process, so ask your supervisor or HR which one to use.
Timing is another thing to check. Legally, you can resign from a permanent position with two weeks’ notice, but many companies ask for one to two months so there’s time to find a replacement. You can find the exact rules in your contract or the company’s employment rules, known as 就業規則 (shuugyou kisoku). Use that time to complete a 引き継ぎ (hikitsugi), or handover, where you pass your work and responsibilities on to your coworkers. Handling this well leaves a good impression and keeps your professional relationships intact.
Things to Be Careful When Changing Jobs in Japan
1. Don’t tell your employer before you sign your job offer formally
Despite the shift in work culture, changing jobs in Japan is still not as common as it is in the United States, for example. Do not tell your employer or boast to your coworkers that you are changing jobs, and only inform them when you have actually signed a formal job offer.
Typically, companies in Japan prefer that you give them a 1-month notice.
2. Don’t let yourself be pressured
This mostly happens at more traditional companies and, to some extent, at so-called “black companies” (burakku kigyo). Your employer may pressure you to stay or make your exit harder than it needs to be. That can range from prodding you about your new job to asking questions about your new employer when you’re not comfortable answering.
This has become such a prominent problem in recent years that there are no agencies in Japan you can hire specifically to handle your resignation process for you, called taishoku daikou.
Visa Procedures for Tenshoku (Changing Jobs) in Japan
The most important part of tenshoku is completing the necessary visa procedures for your situation. Generally, you can apply for and change jobs in Japan during your permitted stay, but the Japanese immigration bureau needs to know which company you’ll be working for. So, here are some things you need to keep in mind:
1. You must inform immigration whenever you change companies
No matter what, you must inform the Japanese immigration office of your new employer within 2 weeks of changing jobs. If there’s a large gap in your record showing you haven’t been working, it could cause issues when you renew your visa. Even if you were working but didn’t inform immigration, it could lead to avoidable visa issues.
Basically, the Japanese government just needs to know that you are in Japan engaging in activities permitted under your visa status.
2. You Must Change Visa Statuses if Your New Job Falls Outside Your Current Visa’s Permitted Activities
If you get a new job that still falls under the permitted activities of your current visa, then you do not need a new visa when you change jobs in Japan. For instance, if you are currently on the common Engineering, Specialist in Humanities, and International Services visa, also known as 技人国 (gijinkoku), and you were working as an English Teacher, then switch to a marketing role in another company, you don’t need to apply for a new visa.
This is because both jobs fall under the activities permitted under the gijinkoku visa. However, if you are working as a public school English teacher under the Instructor visa and then switch to a marketing role, you will need to change your visa status. The reason being that the Instructor visa strictly forbids engaging in monetary activities outside of teaching.
So, when applying for jobs, make sure they align with your current visa status; if they don’t, confirm the hiring company can sponsor your new visa.
3. Ask the Hiring Company to Sponsor Visa Renewal or Change if Necessary
If your visa is about to expire, make sure the company you are joining can sponsor your visa. Companies, especially smaller ones, may need to meet eligibility requirements to sponsor specific foreign work visas, especially the gijinkoku visa. This is part of the new gijinkoku visa regulations, which also require JLPT N2 or proof of language ability for jobs that require Japanese.
So, if you are hired for a job whose description explicitly requires Japanese around the JLPT N2 level, you will likely need to provide proof of your Japanese skills, whether it’s the N2, BJT, or Japanese university, in order to be eligible for the gijinkoku visa. But note that every visa has different requirements, which could change based on job requirements.
For the most part, if a company hires you, they already know what type of visa you will need. So, they will probably be able to sponsor your visa whether it’s a renewal or a full visa change. Just be sure to ask them to support your visa process before it expires.
For more information about the specific requirements of certain work visas, you can visit the official Ministry of Japan website.
Conclusion: Changing Jobs in Japan is Just Like Most Other Places
Changing jobs, or tenshoku, in Japan is really not much different than applying to companies in other countries. Just be sure to prepare for Japanese interviews beforehand and use the right format for Japanese resumes. Applying for jobs can take a lot of time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end when you find a company and role that truly aligns for both sides!
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FAQ:
How do I notify immigration about a change of job in Japan?
You need to report your new employer to the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of changing jobs. You can generally do this online, by mail, or in person at your regional immigration office. Check the Immigration Services Agency’s website for the current form and process.
Is it difficult to quit your job in Japan?
It’s not legally difficult, but it can feel awkward culturally. You typically submit a resignation letter (退職届, taishokutodoke) and give notice, often one to two months in advance depending on your company’s rules, so check your contract. Many people also spend that time handing over work to colleagues.
Can I get a job in Japan if I only speak English?
Yes, there are plenty of roles that don’t require Japanese, such as English teaching, IT, and some international companies. Platforms like Daijob and GaijinPot let you filter jobs by Japanese level. That said, knowing some Japanese opens up many more opportunities.
How long does it take to change jobs in Japan?
It often takes 3 to 6 months from your first application to starting a new role. Hiring involves multiple interview rounds, and you’ll likely apply to several companies, so it can take longer.
Do I need a new visa if I change jobs in Japan?
Not always. If your new job still falls under the activities permitted by your current visa, like moving between roles under the 技人国 (gijinkoku) visa, you don’t need to change it. If the new job falls outside those activities, you’ll need to change your visa status, and your new employer may need to sponsor it.
