What to do when you need a new job ?

[Grandpa Frank]

After about 14 years as a home care nurse, I've decided I need a different job. Last week I went to the Career Counciling center, which is a fancy name for the unemployment office. I was last there about 20 years ago. Boy have things changed. Basically I was handed a one page sheet of internet websites of jobs in my area and info on resumes and told to go home and search. It seems I don't have to go to the company nowdays to drop off my resume and fill out countless forms and possibly do an interview, you just E-Mail it all to the company.
When you are in Japan (and other countries) and you suddenly find yourself without a job , how is it handled there? Do you get a lot of help, or are you all alone in your search? What about a foreign worker who is suddenly out of work, do you get deported? Does the company that lays you off give you any help finding a new employer? How long is your work visa good for when you lose your job? I was thinking it must be tough for a foreigner who does not speak Japanese well to go to the unemployment office if there is such a thing in Japan. I feel a bit lost in my search for a new job, must be super hard for a person in a foreign country to suddenly loose their job.
I'm lucky, I have my wife's paycheck to fall back on while I search for a new job.So, any advice or stories about your adventures of being out of work?

Uncle Frank

:?

 

[Amigo]

I lost my job recently...

But I'm not in Japan, so, of course I don't have the same difficulties as our Uncle Frank.
What bothers me is that I worked in a Japanese Company.
I lost my chance to be in touch with Japan or to be shifted there one day.
This thread is quite interesting. I'd like to know what's the best method to recover your labour life in Japan after losing it.

 

[Akakubisan]

If you are looking online, I recommend www.careerbuilder.com . I have changed jobs a few times over the last 9 years and this is usually what I use for online searches in the US. I also go to recruiters, but that depends on what type of work you do.

I would need to know more about what you want to do and your experience in the field to give any more advice on the subject.

On the Japan side I do not know. Maybe I will find out some day.

 

[dreamer]

During my travels, I have seen that most of the time recruiting works based on recommendations, especially in the United States.
So far, I've seen US companies offering money tor their employees who recommend someone (provided this person is then recruited).

In France and in the UK, it works a little bit different as my friends all had to search online et on newspapers, apply and send their resumes before being contacted for an interview (which is the case in the Us too). Otherwise in France, we have a national agency for jobless people that is *supposed* to help them find a job.

In Japan, I am not too sure of how it works but some friend of mines also used her contacts to find her current job. Otherwise, there are these "headhunters" cabinets that browse through resumes on the Internet and contact people who have an interesting profile. The exchange of Meishi here is also something that is likely to promote job offers as a few of my former VINJ participants received offers through giving their meishis and letting people know that they were looking for an opportunity.

Still, one thing for sure is that you won't go far without understanding the local language.

Otherwise, the internet is indeed a good source of job offers but be careful of all the scam that are present on websites such as careerbuilder or monster.

 

[hideway]

I'm a programmer, so I mainly look on online job websites/forums, then submit my resumee to most of the opportunities (by e-mail). Eventually I'll get phone calls and set up as much interviews as humanly possible.

This is about the only way of getting a programming job in Portugal.

I don't have that many years of experience, but I've already set the rule to check for better opportunities every year or so.

Staying 14 years in one place is crazy though, I definitely couldn't stay in one place for all those years, one needs to change airs from time to time right?

 

[Tsuyoiko]

I've only had three 'proper' jobs. I got the first by standing in for my mum when she was on long term sick and impressing them so much that they offered me a job ;-)

The next two jobs I got by looking in the local paper, filling out an application form and then attending an interview. One thing I know from every job I've applied for is that if you fill out an application form, they always say don't send a CV (resume) as well.

 

[nice gaijin]

Frank, are you talking about looking for a new job in your current profession, or are you looking to shift gears and do something completely different? Either way I wish you the best of luck, do tell us how it turns out

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Just a slight step backward.

Before I became a home care nurse, I was a medical records clerk for the Medicare system for 4 years. I was tired of paperwork and the other people I worked with talked me into being a nurse. Now after 14 years of cleaning bottoms , I need a change. I hope to go back to medical records again. I'm looking for part time work and everyone seems to want full time. The local hospital just posted a part time job in records, so I'm checking that out next. Thanks for the good wishes.

Uncle Frank

 

[Pachipro]

When looking for a new you job, you find what you like to do and do it or you do something you are good at and know well. If it's medical records keeping and you arfe good at it and don't mind it, then go for it.

I know it's difficult for people our age these days to find decent employment with the cost of heathcare and all for the employer, but it's there if you look long enough for it. Also, it is not wise to change employment in these economic turbulent times, but the healthcare industry is one of those jobs that is in high demand and will be for some time, so you are lucky.

The point is, even if the pay is not what you were making before, but you enjoy it, then do it as there is nothing worse than being in a high payng job and hating every minute of it. Been there, done that and I am happier today than I was in my previous high paying job and it was well worth the change even though the pay is less. Besides, like your spouse, mine makes a decent wage.

I don'y know if this helps, but I though I'd add my 2 cents.

 

[Kinsao]

In the UK, I search both online and in the local newspaper(s) for jobs.

To apply, for me it's either been by sending a CV (resume) with a covering letter, or an application form usually also with a covering letter. I've occasionally submitted these online, but more usually sent them through the post. Sometimes you can browse jobsearch or company websites and see the jobs there, but still have to send that stuff through the post. Other times you can send the whole lot either via an online form or by email.

We have Jobcentres in the UK too, which are a bit like the place you went to, Frank... I haven't been there since 8 years ago when I was searching for a job after uni... I would go there if I was unemployed (and they help you with claiming benefits, but you have to search for a job as well), but since I already have a job, when looking to change I don't go to the Jobcentre, but just search in my own time.

The job market is going downhill quickly here... a couple of years ago my local paper each week nearly always had over 1000 jobs in it (it would be a slow week when it was less!). Now it is usually 400-600. It's really gone down!

I've always had to make loads of applications and attend lots of interviews before getting a job... I don't think it is because I am so bad, because I got lots of compliments on my interview technique, even when I didn't get hired! I think it's just the way things are here...

 

[Amigo]

You wouldn't have much problems if you could move wherever. But I'm afraid you do prefer not to move house, Unkle Frank, don't you? That's a handicap to look for a new job.
Finally I'll move to another city after 2 years working in the Capital.
But I can do it since I'm a kind of a nomad. I'm lucky in this aspect.
I've got a chance in a travel agency thanks to some friends.
I hope it goes well.
I have to say goodbye to some good friends here in this city
Here we are 46 millions and 2 of them are unemployees (except for students)

How about your countries? How are things going there?
Please, Uncle Frank, don't forget to tell us about the ending of that soup opera