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What is Hello Work in Japan for foreigners? Learn more about job openings and employment.

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Hello Work in Japan

There are many ways to find a job in Japan, and one of the most recommended is to use Hello Work, which is operated by the government. Hello Work, officially called "Public Employment Security Office," provides job counseling, job placement, and employment insurance benefits to job seekers. Hello Work can be a particularly reassuring ally for foreign residents.

This article provides a detailed explanation of Hello Work in Japan for foreign residents, including its features and how to use it. In addition, we will also introduce in detail the "Employment and Retention Support Training for Foreigners" that can be applied for through Hello Work, so please take a look at it for more information.

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What is Hello Work in Japan?

Hello Work, officially called "Public Employment Security Offices," is a national organization under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. They are located throughout Japan and provide free job counseling and job placement services for job seekers, employment insurance benefits, and assistance to employers in securing labor force.

Hello Work offers a wide range of jobs in all occupational categories, including clerical, sales, technical, and professional positions. In addition to permanent positions, Hello Work also offers many part-time, part-time, and temporary jobs, so you can choose the type of work that best suits your needs.

Many foreign residents may have difficulty in finding a job because they are worried about their language skills or are not familiar with the employment situation in Japan. Hello Work provides generous support for such people. Specialized counselors provide detailed support tailored to each individual's situation.

What foreigners can do at Hello Work in Japan

Hello Work offers a variety of support services related to employment. There is also a full range of services for foreign residents, so we would like to make active use of these services. Here are some of the main services offered.

Counseling for employment

Hello Work has a vast collection of job information, and you can search for jobs that interest you. However, there may be people who do not know what kind of job is right for them or how to fill out an application. In such cases, our professional consultants will provide you with friendly advice.

Foreigners who are concerned about the language barrier need not worry. Hello Work in Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, and other areas where many foreigners live have interpreters on staff who can help you in English, Chinese, Portuguese, and many other languages. Since you can consult in your native language, even those who are not comfortable with their Japanese should be able to relax and use the service.

Career counseling is also available, and we recommend that you consider what kind of work you are suited for based on your past experience and with the advice of our experts.

Employment Insurance Procedures

Hello Work also offers procedures related to employment insurance. Unemployment insurance is a system that allows you to receive benefits to support your life for a certain period of time when you resign from a company and become unemployed.

While enrolled in the company, a certain amount of money is deducted from your monthly salary as unemployment insurance premiums. This is the financial resource that supports your life in times of emergency.

However, if the company fails to pay insurance premiums or fails to follow proper procedures for resignation, you may not be able to receive benefits. If such a problem arises, you can consult Hello Work to learn how to deal with it appropriately.

job (work) training (for the unskilled)

Hello Work offers job training to improve skills in order to provide more options for those seeking employment. A variety of programs are available, ranging from courses to learn basic computer operation to practical content such as nursing care, medical office work, and web production.

There are also Japanese language courses for foreigners, which are worth considering if you want to improve your communication skills in the workplace. In principle, there is no charge for the course.

*The details of the training program to support the employment and retention of foreign nationals will be explained later.

Interview guidance and support

Hello Work offers a variety of guidance and support, such as resume writing and interview practice, to help you interview successfully.

Many foreign residents may feel uneasy about Japanese-style job interviews. Therefore, Hello Work provides support for interview preparation.

First, you will receive guidance on correcting your application documents. You will be given tips on how to write the resume and CV that Japanese companies are looking for, so you should be able to create a highly appealing document.

You can also gain practical training through interview role-playing. You will be able to learn how to make a good impression on the interviewer in terms of language, mannerisms, etc. in a practical format, so you will be able to go into the interview with confidence.

As described above, Hello Work provides support for foreigners looking for work from various aspects, and we recommend that those who have "difficulty finding work in Japan" try using the service.

Characteristics of Hello Work in Japan

The most important feature of Hello Work is that it is a public institution operated by the government. Unlike private employment agencies, Hello Work is not operated for profit. Therefore, it can be a very reassuring ally for foreign residents. Let us look at some of the main features of Hello Work.

Free of charge for everyone

As a public service, Hello Work offers its services free of charge to all job seekers. While private recruitment agencies often require a registration or placement fee, Hello Work does not charge any fees.

Of course, it is necessary for individuals to go through the necessary procedures for employment, such as obtaining a visa, but everyone is equally eligible for free assistance in finding a job. For those who have just arrived in Japan and are in a financially unstable situation, this is a very welcome system.

However, in some cases, actual expenses such as textbooks may be required for vocational training to learn a language or skill. Be sure to check with the person in charge when receiving assistance.

Many jobs available

In principle, there is no charge when a company posts a job opening at Hello Work. Private recruitment agencies generally charge a fee for posting job ads, but Hello Work is operated on a government budget, so the burden on the company is kept to a minimum.

As a result, a wide range of companies, from large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises and venture businesses, post jobs at Hello Work. It is said that the number of such companies far exceeds that of private services. Hello Work jobs are especially useful in fields such as nursing care, construction, and manufacturing.

However, the basic purpose of Hello Work is to eliminate employment mismatches and provide assistance to those who have difficulty finding employment. For this reason, there are more job openings for jobs with relatively low barriers to entry than jobs requiring specialized knowledge and skills. It may be a bit difficult for highly skilled foreigners to find jobs where they can fully demonstrate their skills.

Nevertheless, Hello Work's extensive job information includes many jobs suitable for foreign residents. It is advisable to consult with a career counselor to find a job suitable for you.

There is a point of contact for your needs.

Hello Work has established specialized contact points to meet the needs of users. For foreign residents, there is a "Foreigner Employment Service Centerin Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka. In addition, for those with individual circumstances, such as new graduates and women raising children, we have established "New Graduate Support Hello Workand "Mothers' Hello WorkFacilities such as the following are also available

In many cases, foreign residents face unique challenges such as visa status issues and language barriers. In order to carefully address such needs, a specialized consultation service has been established.

The person in charge has a wealth of knowledge about hiring foreigners, so they can give you advice on the necessary documents for changing or renewing your status of residence, or work with you to find a solution to any problems that may arise.

How to use Hello Work in Japan

From here, we will explain the specifics of how to actually use Hello Work. The basic flow can be divided into five steps: "searching Hello Work," "making a Hello Work card," "searching for a job," "receiving a letter of introduction," and "applying for a job and interviewing.

Let's take a step-by-step approach.

Find a Hello Work in your area.

First, look for Hello Work in your area. There is always one Hello Work in each prefecture. In some large cities, there may be more than one Hello Work, so it is a good idea to choose a location that is easily accessible.

Hello Work locations can be found on the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's website, "National Hello Work LocationsYou can search for them in the "Hello Work" section of the website. Also, if you contact the municipal office, they should be able to tell you the nearest Hello Work.

Basically, the same services are available at all Hello Work offices, but there are some exceptions. For example, as a rule, employment insurance procedures can only be performed at the Hello Work in your area of residence.

First, check to see where Hello Work is located that is easily accessible from your home or workplace.

Create a Hello Work Card

In order to use Hello Work services, you will need to create a "Hello Work Card". This is a kind of identification document for using Hello Work.

The procedure for creating a card is done at the general reception of Hello Work. Fill in your name, contact information, and desired job conditions on a form called "Job Application Form," and submit it to the staff. Note that foreign residents will also be asked to present a residence card or other document that confirms their status of residence.

If there are no problems with the information filled out, a Hello Work card will be issued on the spot. There is no issuance fee and the required time is about 30 minutes.

You can use your Hello Work Card as many times as you like until you find a job and are hired. Keep the "Receipt of Acceptance" given to you at the reception desk in a safe place, as you will need it when you apply for reemployment benefits and other benefits.

Find a Job

Once you have been issued a Hello Work card, it is time to look for a job. Hello Work has a vast amount of job information received from companies, and you can search for the ones that match your requirements.

Job searches are conducted using search terminals located at Hello Work. You can search by specifying various criteria such as job type, work location, and employment status, enabling you to efficiently find a job that meets your needs.

You can also consult directly with Hello Work counselors. If you tell them about your background and hopes, they may be able to introduce you to recommended jobs.

Although communication with the consultant is generally conducted in Japanese, Hello Work in areas with a large number of foreign visitors may have staff who can provide assistance in foreign languages. If you are worried about the language barrier, it is a good idea to inquire first.

Have a referral letter issued.

When you find a company to which you wish to apply, inform Hello Work of this fact and submit a job offer. The person in charge will check the contents of the application and issue a letter of introduction if there are no problems. This letter of introduction is like a recommendation from Hello Work to the company and has a great influence on the application process.

The company will be reassured by the fact that Hello Work introduced you to the company. This is a good opportunity for companies to take advantage of the referrals from Hello Work.

As a rule, one letter of introduction is issued per company. Please note that if you wish to apply to more than one company, you will need a letter of introduction for each one.

Send a letter of introduction and application materials to the company

After receiving a letter of introduction from Hello Work, prepare your resume, work history, and other application documents. The specifications for application documents are unique to Japanese companies. If you have any questions, you should ask Hello Work consultants.

Once everything is in order, send a set of application documents to the company. If you pass the document screening, you can proceed to an interview. Hello Work also provides consultation on interview preparation, so feel free to take advantage of this service.

However, the final decision on hiring is solely up to the company. If the interview does not go well, or if there are other suitable candidates, unfortunately, the applicant may not be hired.

If this is the case, do not give up and try for the next job. Hello Work's services are free of charge as often as you want. If you need any advice, we recommend that you visit us anytime for consultation.

What is Training for Supporting Employment and Retention of Foreign Nationals?

So far, we have described the basic services offered by Hello Work. Finally, we would like to introduce a training program specially prepared for foreign residents. That is the "Employment and Retention Support Training for Foreigners.

The Employment and Settling-in Support Program for Foreigners is a program to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to work in Japan, and can be applied for through Hello Work. The program is characterized by the inclusion of practical content such as company tours and role-playing, in addition to classroom lectures.

Training Overview

The curriculum is a full 100 hours in total. In addition to focusing on the acquisition of business Japanese, students will also learn basic knowledge of Japanese labor-related laws and regulations, business customs and business manners of Japanese companies.

Classes are organized by Japanese language level

The training is divided into classes according to the level of Japanese. We have a system in place that allows everyone from complete beginners to those who have some understanding of Japanese to take the course without difficulty.

The introductory class begins with reading and writing hiragana, so even those with no previous Japanese language study experience will be fine. The class focuses on expressions that can be used immediately in daily life, such as basic greetings and self-introductions.

The beginner level class is designed for students who can understand simple Japanese sentences. The course covers many words used in actual work situations, so students will be able to improve their communication skills through role-playing.

The Intermediate Class is a program for those who have little difficulty in daily conversation. The goal is to acquire more practical Japanese language skills, such as the rules of keigo (honorific expressions) used in business and how to write emails.

Enrollment Methods and Fees

To take the Foreigner Employment and Retention Support Training, you need to go through the Hello Work procedures. As explained earlier, first create a Hello Work card. Then, inform the counselor at the Employment Service Center for Foreigners that you wish to take the training course.

After submitting the necessary documents and undergoing a simple check of their Japanese language level, participants may participate in the training program if they are approved. In principle, there is no charge for the course, but there may be a few thousand yen to cover actual costs such as materials fees.

In order to find a job and continue working in Japan for a long time, it is essential to learn Japanese. The Employment and Settling-in Support Program for Foreigners is the best program for taking the first step toward this goal. Why not consider this program in conjunction with Hello Work?

Serious employment support to help you realize your dream of working in Japan!

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【 Program Features 】
✅ JLPT N3 level Japanese language acquisition
✅ Thorough preparation for the specific skills test
✅ Full support for job hunting in Japan

Business-focused one-on-one lessons will help you find a job in Japan in the shortest possible time.

【 Program Menu 】

  • Individual Japanese language lessons
    • Intensive curriculum to obtain N3, especially specialized lessons for business Japanese that can be used at work.

  • Preparation for the Specific Skills Test
    • Customized materials for specific skill tests will be used to focus on frequently asked questions and learning to pass the test.

  • Resume and CV support
    • To create resumes and CVs tailored to Japanese corporate culture, and to brush up on self-promotion and motivation for application.

  • Interview Preparation
    • Guidance on areas for improvement through mock interviews and feedback based on corporate interview scenarios. Learn interview etiquette and behavior unique to Japan.

  • career consulting
    • Provide introductions to companies that match the participant's career goals, select companies to apply to, and provide advice on the level of knowledge required by the companies to which the participant is applying.

  • Chat Support
    • In addition to one-on-one individual lessons, we also accept casual questions via DM (visa application, living support, assistance in finding a room, etc.).

If you are serious about your career in Japan, join us now!

▶︎ for more informationclick here.

We will do our best to support your success in Japan!

summary

Hello Work is a reliable ally for foreigners looking for work in Japan. Not only can they search for job information, but they can also assist you in various situations, such as job counseling and support for various procedures.

The Employment and Settling-in Support Training for Foreigners is also a recommended program for those who are seeking employment in Japan. You will learn not only the Japanese language, but also the manners and rules of working at a Japanese company, so you should be able to start your working life in Japan with peace of mind.

Finding a job in Japan may not be easy due to language and cultural differences, but if you make good use of Hello Work and acquire the necessary skills, you will surely find a way. We hope you will find your ideal job through Hello Work.

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