This is so true! At every job listing it’s like you either have to already have Japanese skills or have the training for these computer skills, it’s hard to find one that requires neither. Right now I am trying to decide which is more valuable, putting more time in Japanese or putting more time into these IT skills?
I would definitely go to Hello Work. They can get you an English translator if needed especially Hello Work bureau aimed at foreigners. As Cocobeed mentioned in this thread: JICE for learning Japanese for free through Hello Work. Also HW has job training programs free or partly supported, some of them are IT related. Of course there are eligibility conditions (, better being seishain) but I think Hello Work is a good place to start from. As for which of Japanese or IT skills you should prioritize, it's a difficult question but I think that if your goal is to work with locals it makes sense to get some communication skills first.
J.I.C.E is a great governmental institution for learning Japanese free of cost and you can basically replicate studying for the JLPT‘s. You can enquirer at your local Hello Work as how to sign-up.
Obviously, JLPT is good to have, preferably N1. Even then your spoken Japanese will be tested during the interview (which isn't always easy because interviews can be nerve-wracking!).
I personally also took the TOEIC test because English is my second language. I got a 100% score and now nobody doubts my English skills anymore 😂
For non-language related certificates, I passed level 2 of the Bookkeeping test (日商簿記検定), which helped me land a job in financial administration.
Any tips on where to learn these things? I would like to get a job in IT, but I didn’t go to school for it.
J.I.C.E is a great governmental institution for learning Japanese free of cost and you can basically replicate studying for the JLPT‘s. You can enquirer at your local Hello Work as how to sign-up.
Obviously, JLPT is good to have, preferably N1. Even then your spoken Japanese will be tested during the interview (which isn't always easy because interviews can be nerve-wracking!).
I personally also took the TOEIC test because English is my second language. I got a 100% score and now nobody doubts my English skills anymore 😂
For non-language related certificates, I passed level 2 of the Bookkeeping test (日商簿記検定), which helped me land a job in financial administration.
if you are looking for IT position, recommend below certifications! These tests are authorized by goverment and could be recognized by most companies.
If you want to view detail, please feel free to visit https://www.jitec.ipa.go.jp/1_11seido/seido_gaiyo.html for more informations.
Hope you could pass the exams smoothly!!!!!