If you are staying on a student visa, you must first receive “permission to engage in activities other than that permitted by the status of residence previously granted” if you wish to work part-time!!

WORK IN JAPAN! (MyNavi Baito)

TOWN WORK Hiroshima

Workin.jp Hiroshima

Gaijin Pot Jobs

The minimum wage in Hiroshima Prefecture is 970 yen per hour.

(2023 Hiroshima Labor Bureau)

minimum wages system (Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare)

How did you find your job?

I got referrals from friends at university for some and I found some in a job advertisement magazine and contacted the stores directly myself.

What were you asked at your job interviews?

I think they already recognized the level of my Japanese proficiency when I called them.
They asked me how many days a week I could work and whether I was aware of the details of the job.
I don't think there is anything to worry about as long as you can speak Japanese well enough to have no trouble in your daily life.

Did you have any problems while you were on the job?

I think it goes for any job, but I found it a little hard until I got used to my job.
The apparel company where I work now has proper administrative regulations for non-Japanese part-timers so I didn't have any other problems.

Did you acquire anything through your part-time job?

First of all, I became socially very well connected and that was the biggest advantage for me.
I was able to meet so many like-minded friends.
Earning money is obviously an important part of doing part-time jobs, but you can also experience what it is like to work, so for those who are considering finding employment in Japan in the future, part-time jobs should certainly be helpful.

How did you manage to balance your job with your school work?

It may be nothing special, but in my case I prioritize school work.
During examinations, I try to avoid putting work into my schedule as much as possible and try to study as much as I can.
Since working hours permitted by law increases during long holidays such as summer and spring holidays, I try working as much as possible during those times.

Do you have any advice for those who wish to come and study in Hiroshima and find a part-time job?

There are more places to work that expected.
Continuing your first job has its advantages, but it should be useful trying different kinds of jobs.
And if you're here on a study visa, you must apply for a permit before you start a part-time job.
What's more, because you are only allowed to work up to 28 hours a week during the school term, you should be careful.
And if you know some Hiroshima accent, you may find it easier to get along with the other people at your job.

How did you find your job?

To begin with, I analyzed my lifestyle and suitable job, like whether I wanted to work more in the daytime or in the evening.
And of course the amount of pay was important, too.
Jobs with higher hourly wages usually require more heavy physical work whereas jobs with lower wages are easier to do.
I looked for jobs in job advertisement magazines.
When I found a job that interested me, I made a call right away and went for interviews.

What were you asked at your job interview?

I was asked where I had found the job information, why I wanted to do the job, and what means of transportation I would use to get there.

Did you have any problems while you were on the job? And how did you solve those problems?

Of course I had problems, like communication.
Japanese people generally tend to speak very fast and if there is some dialect mixed, it gets even harder to understand.
When you don't understand something, you should consider the situation first and guess what instructions were given to you.
And then you must make sure that you've understood properly.
That way, you'll be able to avoid making mistakes at work.
And you should always look up words that you don't understand and remember them.
You should never neglect making efforts.

Did you acquire anything through your job?

I've experienced many different jobs and was able to acquire something from all of them.
For instance, I acquired cooking skills working at a Japanese-style pub.
And I acquired conventional wisdom, such as the Japanese way of serving customers, working at a hotel.
If you make serious efforts, you'll be able to acquire all kinds of skills and knowledge.

How did you manage to balance your job with your school work?

First of all, mental control of yourself is a key factor. It's important to be able to put things behind you whatever happens and to move on.
You may get very annoyed or maybe become cheerful while you are on your job.
But you won't be able to concentrate on your school work if you allow that feeling to keep lingering.
And another thing is time management.
You should balance the importance of school work and your job in your mind and manage your time in a rational way.
Don’t forget your main purpose!