Dec 4

JetWit Success Story #2

Omedetou to freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) who just got an internship with a publishing company thanks to his work with JetWit as the JETAA Chapter Beat guy!

He found out about it through Julie Matysik (who herself got an internship at the same publishing company after a JET alum who works there saw her first two Editorial Pursuits posts on JetWit), who found out about the latest internship opportunity and passed it on to Jonathan because she knew through JetWit that he was looking for similar opportunities.

This is one of the strengths of the JET alumni network.  There are lots more connections and opportunities out there, even in this tough economy.  We just have to dig a little and sometimes be creative to find them.

Note:  The internships are unpaid, albeit good places to start, which means Julie and Jonathan are both still in the market for paying jobs if anyone wants to hire them.  (The JET alumni network is strong, but it’s not all-powerful.  Not yet anyway. :-)


Dec 3

Finding Jobs in Japan

In response to the previous post about “going back to Japan,” I received a nice email from a JET alum with a bunch of sites that are good for finding jobs in Japan.  I’ve also posted them on the Professional Profiles/Job Resources page.

FINDING JOBS IN JAPAN

Feel free to email any others to jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.


Dec 3

Job: HR/Operations Coordinator/Manager for tech company (DC area)

Saw this on the JETAA DC yahoogroup:

Jennie Gold, Kagawa ’01-’03 writes:

Hiring an HR/Operations Coordinator/Manager for our Chantilly office

My company (silasg.com) is seeking an energetic professional with 2-7 years of experience who is looking for a place where they can have a greater impact and be rewarded for top performance with accelerated career growth.  This is a great opportunity to get your feet wet in a lot of different areas.

Job Description
This is a unique opportunity to assume a full range of responsibilities across key functional areas including, but not limited to: human resources, resource management, recruiting, corporate communications, and business operations, while learning the technology business from the ground up.  As the business grows you will have the opportunity to assume a more specialized role and ownership over a key function within the business.  Read More


Dec 2

Job: Position Opening at the Japan-America Society (D.C.)

Position Opening at the Japan-America Society

Mon Dec 1, 2008 7:25 pm (PST)

Japan-America Society Seeks an Assistant for the 2009 Japan Bowl

The Japan-America Society is now taking applications for a temporary position opening from mid-January to mid-April 2009 to assist the Director of the National Japan Bowl to prepare and run the 2009 competition. Read More


Dec 2

Job: Part-time book buyer/seller for Kinokuniya (Seattle)

Just saw this on the JETAA Pacific Northwest email group:

PART-TIME BOOK BUYER/SELLER for KINOKUNIYA (Seattle)

Minimum Qualifications:
*Good communication skills; fluent English both in speaking
and writing.
*Japanese proficiency is not necessary, but must be
interested in Asian culture and languages.
*Must be able to work flexible hours; 3-4 times a week
including weekends; no more than 30 hours a week
*Must be able to make at lease 6 month commitment to
the position.
*Legal to work in the U.S. (no internship/practica l visa.)

Please submit your resume to:  seattle /atto/ kinokuniya /dotto/ com

Deadline: Dec 20, 2008
KINOKUNIYA BOOKSTORES, SEATTLE STORE, 525 S WELLER ST, SEATTLE, WA 98104
Monday-Saturday 10AM-9PM;  Sunday 10AM-8PM P.S.T.


Dec 1

INTERVIEWING IN N. AMERICA FOR ALT POSITIONS COMMENCING IN MARCH/APRIL 2009

Interac Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading private provider of Assistant Language Teachers to the Japanese public schooling system, is accepting applications from motivated and committed educators currently residing N. America to join our team of over 1,700 teaching professionals for positions commencing in March/April 2009.

If you love working with kids ranging in age from elementary to junior high school, have a passion for teaching, a willingness to adapt to a culture that is different from yours, and wish to expand your horizons and teaching skills by working in the public schooling system in Japan as an ALT, then you are the candidate we are looking for.

Based out of its head office in Tokyo and its eight branch offices located throughout Japan, Interac’s staff of approximately 1,700 ALTs are now working in locations throughout Japan. Read More


Dec 1

Job: Freelance writers needed (Tokyo)

Interesting job listing from Craigslist Tokyo.  Reminds me of the Tom Lehrer line about a certain doctor specializing in “diseases of the rich.”

Freelance writers needed (Tokyo)

Reply to: job-935865525@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-27, 4:27PM JT

New bi-monthly magazine looking for freelance writers. The magazine will target wealthy and successful foreigners in Japan and will include topics such as business, politics and culture or anything that might interest the readers. The language will be English.

Reply with a short description of your past experience and an sample of your previous work.

We will also consider Japanese writers even if the English ability is not entirely perfect. We will spell-check and rewrite together with you.


Nov 30

Job: Translation – Japanese to English – Alexandria, VA

Just saw this today on Craigslist (DC).  It’s a day old so apologies for the delay.

Japanese to English Book Translation Needed (Alexandria)

Reply to: gigs-937752679@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-29, 8:06AM EST

I have a Japanese craft book about lamp-making. It contains 115pgs with many how-to pictures and directions. I need this book translated within 2 months. I will consider offers and am willing to send a scan or two of the book when requested. Thank you.


Nov 26

Job: Entry level economic correspondent for major Japanese newspaper (DC)

This just in from JETAA DC:

Job at Major Japanese Newspaper Bureau

Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:06 pm

The JET Office in DC just got word of a job opening at a Japanese newspaper’s DC bureau. Not sure yet which newspaper it is for, but if you have questions, please contact Ms. Oya, whose contact info is at the bottom of this message.

Job Title: Entry-level Economic Correspondent
Job Category: Editing/Writing
# of Openings: 1

Job Description / Qualifications: DC office of Major Japanese newspaper company seeks an Entry-level reporter on economic/financial news.  Must have bachelor’s degree or higher in Economics or related field or equivalent job experience.  Advanced English and Japanese language skills in speaking, writing and reading absolutely necessary.

Location: Washington DO.CO. (Washington DO.CO.)
Salary: Up to 40K(DOE)
Job Type: Permanent Job Preference: Full-Time
Visa Sponsor: Yes
Languages: English: Business Level, Japanese: Native Level

Anyone who is interested in this position can send your resume to Ms.
Madoka Oya moya /atto/ actus-usa /dotto/ com .


Nov 26

Job Listing: JetWit

JetWit is looking for people to help with the following jobs (which are unpaid for now):

1.  Ad Sales – One or two people to pursue and follow up with leads for potential advertisers.

2.  Updater – One or two people to send out a daily or periodic email update to an email grouplist with links to the latest posts.  Room to be creative if you want.

3.  Job Listings – One or two people to help me gather and post relevant job listings.

4.  Other – If you have other ideas for ways to help, feel free to email with suggestions/proposals.

Among other things, JetWit is intended to be a way to help JET alums get some work experience, even if you don’t have a job, whether writing, translating, business or other experience.  A way around the catch-22 of needing experience to get a job but being unable to get a job without experience.

Feel free to get in touch to discuss more.  Contact: jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.


Nov 26

Job Market Update

I was in touch with a couple recruiters from Japanese staffing/recruiting firms this past week, and it sounds like there really are no job listings right now, at least from Japanese companies seeking Americans with some level of Japanese ability.  The one glimmer of light was a comment that, starting in 2009, Japanese HR managers may be more open to hiring given that down markets are always a good time to hire talented people.

So buckle your seatbelt and be creative and proactive if you’re in the market for a job.  And by all means make use of JetWit and the JET alumni network.  (And any other networks you have too, for that matter.)  Most of all, remember that every challenge offers new opportunities.  It’s just a matter of figuring out what they are.  Ganbarimashou!


Nov 25

Job Listing: Assistant Director for Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University (NY)

Position with the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University.   Seeking an organized, dynamic individual to fill the position of Assistant Director.

From Miho Walsh, Associate Director, Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture www.donaldkeenecenter.org

The Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University invites applications for the post of Assistant Director. This full-time non-instructional position offers a unique career opportunity. The Keene
Center, founded in 1986, supports the study of diverse aspects of Japanese culture at Columbia University by organizing lectures, workshops, conferences, film screenings, exhibitions, performances, and other events throughout the year. It also hosts visiting scholars, administers fellowship competitions and prize programs, and collaborates with other academic departments and organizations across campus. At the same time, the Keene Center maintains an active presence on New York’s broader cultural scene, coordinating its activities with academic and non-academic institutions throughout the city, as well as nationwide and abroad.

The Assistant Director is the senior administrator of the Keene Center. He/she is supervised by the Center’s faculty director, works closely with Columbia’s Japan studies faculty, and supervises a research associate and part-time staff.  As a full-time officer of the University, the Assistant Director is entitled to comprehensive employment benefits as well as tuition exemption. Among his/her responsibilities are fundraising and representing the Keene Center at national meetings, which require periodic travel to Japan and elsewhere.

Strong Japanese language ability is necessary for the job. Individuals who are fully bilingual in Japanese and English are especially encouraged to apply. Previous fundraising experience is also highly desirable. For further details about this position, including application procedures, please follow the link below.

http://jobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=113446


Nov 25

Translation Scam

The below posting was from Craigslist Cincinnati, yet it has no connection to Cincinnati.  Odds are it’s a variation of a common scam.  The London connection and the writing style are clues, plus I’ve seen scams with similar feels in other contexts.   Just something to be aware of since the same listing may likely pop up at some point in connection with a Japanese translation gig.

language translator needed

Reply to: goodlordaka@yahoo.com [?]
Date: 2008-11-25, 11:39AM EST

I am an amrican but I am presently in london and will be going to work soon in italy and i will need some one who can help me translate from italian to english and this is a work that can be done by emails with not much of stress or qualification.and i am willing to pay per word.


Nov 25

Interesting job listing from Craigslist Boston.  Something every JET has done at some point.

Wanted: copy editing translated material (Anywhere)

Reply to: review.translations@gmail.com [?]
Date: 2008-11-21, 7:45PM EST

I’m looking for copy editors who are interested in editing materials translated from a foreign language by non-native English speakers.

Qualification: – Native English speakers with college level writing; Telecommuting ok
Rate: – $10 / 1000 original words
Anyone interested please copy edit the following short paragraph and send it to: review.translations /atto/ gmail /dotto/ com

Your attention is appreciated!

Sample:

At the age of six, my son was full of “you must” all day long. Very often he goes like “You must do this or that” when speaking to us. After noticing this, I tried to correct him by telling him “you must” was not a good word. If someone uses “you must” frequently enough people will gradually depart him and he will no longer be able to receive help and strength from his surroundings. Not quite see the reasoning, my son asked “why is that a bad word? And why won’t I receive help if I say that?” I told him that is because behind this word “must” there is no spirit of negotiation. We have to have negation in mind when working together. Using words like “must” to demand other people will only provoke their hostility, rather than to accumulate their strength. Nothing can be achieved without negotiation in mind.


Nov 23

Job Listing: Japanese-English Quality Managers (Midtown, NYC)

Saw this on Craigslist NYC.  FYI, there are a couple JET alums who work or have worked for Transperfect.

Italian, French, and Japanese-English Quality Managers (Midtown East)

Reply to: job-928614895@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-21, 2:52PM EST

TransPerfect Family of Companies
www.transperfect.com www.translations.com

Quality Manager – Italian, French, and Japanese-English Read More


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