{"id":45781,"date":"2020-04-29T14:49:56","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T18:49:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jetwit.com\/wordpress\/?p=45781"},"modified":"2020-04-29T14:49:56","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T18:49:56","slug":"post-jet-jobs-using-your-bilingual-bicultural-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jetwit.com\/wordpress\/2020\/04\/29\/post-jet-jobs-using-your-bilingual-bicultural-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-JET Jobs: Using Your Bilingual\/Bicultural Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Guest blog post by <\/em>Kasia Lynch<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, Founder of <\/em>Ikigai Connections<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, who supports job-seekers with her blog, job board and online training programs. Although not a former JET, she\u2019s a big supporter of the Great Lakes JETAA and previously lived in Shiga-ken, Kobe, Kyoto, Saitama-ken and Tokyo (total 8 years). She also studied on the same KCJS program in Kyoto with <\/em>WITLife’<\/em><\/strong><\/a>s Stacy Smith back in 1998-1999.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve often met JET alumni who have come back from the most incredible time of their life in Japan and struggle with their next career steps.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the top 4 things I hear about this struggle:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. What can I possibly do with the experience I gained while on the JET Program? <\/li>
  2. I\u2019ve had such a life-changing time in Japan, and I\u2019m super confused about what I want to do. <\/li>
  3. I\u2019ve been gone so long in Japan that I don\u2019t know how to find a job in <country>.<\/li>
  4. I\u2019m \u201cbehind\u201d in the job search and\/or no one is hiring.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I will answer each of these struggles and provide my top tips on job searching regardless of where you are at in your journey.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

    First, let me start off by saying CONGRATULATIONS<\/strong> on a) being accepted to the program and b) completing it. (If you happen to be a current or aspiring JET reading this blog, I\u2019m sure this article can be helpful to you, as well.) Not only is the JET Program very organized and going strong for decades (since 1987), but it is a fantastic way to introduce Japanese people to other countries, bring teachers and CIR to Japan, and help bridge cultural and linguistic barriers between Japan and the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Struggle #1: What can I do with my JET experience?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The JET Program allows you an opportunity to skyrocket your personal and professional development<\/strong>, if you let it. The fact that you completed a program in a foreign country and gained valuable intercultural skills is not something to brush over lightly. You were literally plopped in the middle of nowhere, far away from home, and had to trust people with everything from communication to living arrangements until you gained the confidence to do it yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you were a teacher<\/strong>, you learned about the Japanese education system, working with other teachers, and educating\/entertaining youth. You probably were involved in some after-school clubs or activities such as festivals, and you gained knowledge about how Japanese people work together towards a common goal and communicate to get tasks done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you were a CIR<\/strong>, then you also learned some pretty intense language lessons that probably made your head nearly explode. By being involved in a governmental office, you were exposed to keigo\/honorifics, translating\/interpreting opportunities, and the learning lessons of office environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    All of these are skills are VERY IMPORTANT and transferrable to a career<\/strong>. At a minimum, you got great exposure to the importance of having meishi (see my post about business cards<\/strong><\/a>) and experience in observing, and possibly participating in, Japanese communication styles (see my post about hourensou<\/strong><\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also, living in a foreign country<\/strong> in itself is an important factor that can help you get your next job since it shows you have the ability to thrive in the unknown. Here are some wise words from Steven Horowitz, JETwit publisher: \u201cI never understood the value of a JET experience earlier in my career. I knew there was something good about it but couldn’t put it into any concrete terms. Now that I work in international education, I definitely see it. I work at a law school with international students. <\/em>I see a clear distinction between the way people work and interact with international students if they have lived (not just traveled but lived) abroad versus those who haven’t. <\/em><\/strong>And I see it even more so with JET alumni. You just know they’re going to be aware of and sensitive to communications and interactions with people from other countries. You know they’re going to be able to grade their speech in an appropriate yet not condescending way to non-native English speakers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Struggle #2: I\u2019m confused about what I want to do.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A life-changing experience like living abroad and then going through reverse culture shock is definitely confusion-inducing. However, I think that having such a wonderful (and at times, terrible) experience is a fast-paced way to discovering your \u201cikigai<\/em>\u201d – or your reason for being. I love this concept so much, that I named my business after it. I have many blog posts on this topic (such as this one<\/strong><\/a> and this one<\/strong><\/a>), but overall, figuring out what you want to do is something that you do over time and refine as you get older and gain experiences<\/strong>. Of course, many people choose to not combine their ikigai<\/em> with their career, but if you choose to do so, then you absolutely should. And if your ikigai<\/em> just happens to be Japan-related, then I encourage you to visit my website, IkigaiConnections.com<\/strong><\/a>. My main message is that job-seekers with your Japanese language AND\/OR cultural skills are necessary for globally-minded companies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One final word about finding a job that\u2019s related to your ikigai<\/em>: it\u2019s not easy, but it\u2019s not impossible. I can help you with this, so please don\u2019t hesitate to read what I\u2019ve already written on this topic via my website. I mean it when I say to NEVER let anyone tell you that something is \u201cimpossible\u201d!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Struggle #3: I don\u2019t know how to find a job.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is a basic struggle that probably most people deal with – especially soon-to-graduate students and JET alumni. Fortunately, there is a plethora of resources available to you such as: your alumni networks like college or JET, social media like LinkedIn, online articles and books. Keep in mind that although it\u2019s not easy nor enjoyable, it\u2019s definitely not impossible. Don\u2019t think that you have to find the perfect job, either – something is better than nothing, so get going!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    If you\u2019re interested in getting tips related specifically to finding a job related to Japan, then I have a free gift for you: my FREE 5-Day Online Course<\/strong>, \u201cJapanese Job Search Prep Challenge\u201d which you can access here: https:\/\/japanesejobs.teachable.com\/p\/free-5-day\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Struggle #4: I\u2019m \u201cbehind\u201d and\/or no one is hiring.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Many JET alumni tell me that after being gone for a certain number of years, they feel out of sorts with regards to the job search timing, and that it feels like all the good jobs are gone. While I agree that many companies with a need for entry-level employees hire around the time most graduates finish school, there are always some kind of opportunities available if you look for them<\/strong>. Remember, try not to expect the perfect job to come knocking on your doorstep. You might need to work at a job that is nowhere near your ikigai<\/em> in order to make financial ends meet or to avoid having that void on your resume\u2019s career history. Further, don\u2019t forget that some job opportunities might be filled even before they\u2019re announced on the major job boards, so that\u2019s why networking and putting yourself out there<\/strong> is important. Finally, you might just be able to create your own opportunity, whether it\u2019s freelancing, starting your own business, or convincing a company to create a role for you. None of these are impossible, so think about what you want, and take that one baby step forward<\/strong>. Don\u2019t worry if that baby step is in the \u201cwrong direction\u201d because you won\u2019t know until you try. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    I\u2019d like to leave you with some tips based on where you currently may be in life and what you think you want to do next.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are still in Japan on the JET Program, and want to stay and work in Japan:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n