Aug 10

JETwit Job Hunter Profile: Julie Yang

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JETwit Job Hunter is a feature started by Autumn Widdoes (Okinawa-ken 2010-14) where we share the profile of a JET or JET alum currently seeking work and invite JETwit readers to share any advice, suggestions, or perspectives.  Autumn is a writer with a focus on performance and film who will soon return to the job market herself.  She’d like to put her four years of experience in Japan to good use in future employment.

Job Hunter:  Julie Yang (Nagasaki-ken, 2009-14) is a JET based in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture.  She will return to the USA and is looking for a job in Hawaii.

Objective:  To gain employment in Hawaii in an administrative or program assistant job within the non-profit sector or other Japan-related industries.  She is also interested in editorial and translation work.

Areas of Interest: 

  • Japan-related
  • Non-profit
  • Translation
  • Editorial

Job Hunting Strategies:

  • Direct contact with various non-profits based in Hawaii
  • Skype interviews

Challenges:  Because Julie has been living in Japan, she’s faced the challenge of not being based in the local area where she is seeking employment. Without a local address, she is having a difficult time getting companies or organizations to interview her. She is originally from Washington, DC, so she does not have extensive networks in Hawaii to help her and she finds that this makes the job search more competitive. She also feels that interviewing via Skype does not allow you to have the same in-person presence that allows you to present your qualifications, personality, and enthusiasm for the job. Despite all of these challenges, she says, “I’ve been able to get interviews and positive responses…this speaks to the reputation of the JET program.”

She is seeking networking opportunities with JET alumni in Hawaii. She would like to make contact with those working in Japan-related or non-profits there. Any references or advice from any fellow Hawaii-based JETs is appreciated.

Web Presence:

To help this JETwit Job Hunter, post your comments below, or contact Julie Yang directly. 

If you’d like to be profiled, click here to submit your information through the JETwit Job Hunter Google Form.  

Reminder that there are a number of JET Alum professionally oriented LinkedIn groups set up to help you.  By joining groups in fields that interest you, you can find and connect with other alums in that field.


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