So if yall have known me for a while you all know my original goal was to work in the international department of Boeing.

Well I kinda gave up on that, because I instead chose to find work in Japan, for the sake of staying in the YouTube community I belong to.


And this is absolutely going awful.

I am not a teacher, i have zero patience with kids and even some teaching jobs have turned me down because I failed the personality test for teachers in Japan --- basically Im not gonna teach here. But what's left for me?

My Japanese level is conversational. Depending on the topic at hand, I am either fully fluent, or completely illiterate. I'm quick to learn, and being in an environment where Japanese is used frequently makes me learn quicker.

I have extensive knowledge of regional variations in Japan, the transportation system, the bureaucracy here, the differences in people's personalities, and I also had a paper published on the differences between JL and NH.

I've been rejected by 16 companies for one of three reasons- lack of Japanese ability (or lack of JLPT N1 score), lack of experience (being a fresh grad), or too much experience (mostly from Japanese companies, the "too much" being the fact I've studied at two universities and have 2 internships and lots of volunteer hours).

I haven't had an interview for the last two weeks. I'm sending out as many applications as I can every day but I've pretty much exhausted all my resources.

I really wanna stay here because I can't learn Japanese back in the USA, but there's no way I can become a teacher. Teaching here is an awful gig. Literally everyone I know has had financial trouble being a teacher (making less than the US minimum wage in the most expensive city in the world) and it's really not beneficial at all for a resume when looking for a business related job.

My interests are aviation (obviously), music, Japan-related stuff, photography and filmmaking, youtube, social media, and traveling. Any help you guys can give would be awesome.

Note- I don't check this website as much anymore (frankly i'm bored of a-net because of the excessive politicizing of it) and it would be a lot easier if you guys emailed me. My email is in my profile.


Thanks a lot,

-PHX787/Zach

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): I am not a teacher, i have zero patience with kids and even some teaching jobs have turned me down because I failed the personality test for teachers in Japan --- basically Im not gonna teach here. But what's left for me?

When i moved to Madrid i taught English for 6 months while taking Spanish classes. Probably the best paid option i had.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): My Japanese level is conversational. Depending on the topic at hand, I am either fully fluent, or completely illiterate.

I understand. As a Engineer i realised that what i needed was enough Spanish to do interviews and i knew what they would ask during interviews. Types of flowers or my favourite film would not be questions so i developed a routine so whey they asked about a previous job i'd blast them with a memorized speech about what i did, how i did it etc etc covering everything i could think of so the questions would be few.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): I have extensive knowledge of regional variations in Japan, the transportation system,

So if you like trains, planes, buses etc sounds like you might be a big help to tourists coming from English speaking countries, help planning how to get to places etc.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): Teaching here is an awful gig. Literally everyone I know has had financial trouble being a teacher

Here in MAD its not a bad option for native speakers, even loads of Americans teach here illegally. The worst part is the timetable.

Quoting mad99 (Reply 1): When i moved to Madrid i taught English for 6 months while taking Spanish classes. Probably the best paid option i had.

It's an option i'll keep open....if they don't use that stupid personality test.

Quoting mad99 (Reply 1): Types of flowers or my favourite film would not be questions so i developed a routine so whey they asked about a previous job i'd blast them with a memorized speech about what i did, how i did it etc etc covering everything i could think of so the questions would be few.

Exactly. knowledge of literature and various basic conversation pieces wont help me, and thats what they taught me even in classes I took at Sophia.

Quoting mad99 (Reply 1): So if you like trains, planes, buses etc sounds like you might be a big help to tourists coming from English speaking countries, help planning how to get to places etc.

It's what I would love to do (I even have a startup idea in mind) but simply putting both the startup in motion and finding a travel company in Japan that hires foreigners is a pain.

Quoting mad99 (Reply 1): Here in MAD its not a bad option for native speakers, even loads of Americans teach here illegally. The worst part is the timetable.

It's a bad gig here. I've heard too many horror stories about people not getting paid.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 2): It's a bad gig here. I've heard too many horror stories about people not getting paid.

It often is, but it doesn't have to be. The more reputable companies do a pretty good job, and I know people who are reliably and in some cases quite well paid. I know a guy at a particular large company who is a manager at their Tokyo HQ and makes around 7.5 million.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 2): It's what I would love to do (I even have a startup idea in mind) but simply putting both the startup in motion and finding a travel company in Japan that hires foreigners is a pain.

If memory serves, there are a couple of companies doing that kind of thing already. Might want to poke around Google and see about getting on with one of those.

It might also be worth looking into university employment - plenty of second-tier universities are pretty committed to seeking foreign students to boost their enrollment and revenues, and having someone who is relatable to foreign students and speaks Japanese is very attractive to their recruiters.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): I've been rejected by 16 companies for one of three reasons- lack of Japanese ability (or lack of JLPT N1 score)

I have been rejected by Boeing in the past, only due to JLPT1 requirements. It will be very advantageous to have mastered keigo and Japanese business writing to be able to handle duties liasing with either their airline companies or supply chain over here. Talk to anyone in their supply chain, and they are pretty annoyed at how pushy Boeing people get despite how much they depend on Japanese products.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 2): if they don't use that stupid personality test.

Or maybe you need to answer the test like they want you to  

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 2): Exactly. knowledge of literature and various basic conversation pieces wont help me, and thats what they taught me even in classes I took at Sophia.

So practice what the'll ask you. They offered me my first job and I didn't know it until the Monday i was to start and i didn't show up!
Also, my contact details were my girlfriend's folks and they knew if someone phoned they would say i was away and they would get the important details like names, directions etc, things i would have trouble doing over the phone. That way i would arrive at the interview on time with a contact name and at the right address!

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 2): It's what I would love to do (I even have a startup idea in mind) but simply putting both the startup in motion and finding a travel company in Japan that hires foreigners is a pain.

Foreigners are suspect. I get loads of cv's from all over and delete them all.

Looking for Engineers i interviewed a man whom i liked but he did not have the experience i was looking for. He said he could do the job and proposed to prove it by working for free as i continued my search. After a month or two he was doing ok so i hired him. No real risk for me and i liked the attitude

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 2): It's a bad gig here. I've heard too many horror stories about people not getting paid.

I would talk to someone who's been teaching for years. I know people who live off it here and do fine. Native speakers are a must, even if you don't know what you're doing.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): (or lack of JLPT N1 score)

Sounds like that's the key. You've got to learn Japanese.

I noticed you've conveniently left out a big detail which could aid other members in suggesting what your next move should be: what is your degree in and how does it tie with where you wanna go in life? I know what it is, but I'll let you post it.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): Well I kinda gave up on that, because I instead chose to find work in Japan, for the sake of staying in the YouTube community I belong to.

Then it sounds you value YouTube more than your career. You can't complain about not finding a job in Japan but not wanting to move elsewhere for it. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): My interests are aviation (obviously), music, Japan-related stuff, photography and filmmaking, youtube, social media, and traveling. Any help you guys can give would be awesome.

Great, there are 2 things with actual job prospects there: aviation and social media (perhaps including Youtube).

So, become a social media or marketing worker for JL, NH, or come to the US and work for one of ours. And please note, I am being extremely generous. You need to focus on what jobs are listed and what they pay, not what you'd ideally like to do as hobbies. Unless you are independently wealthy and plan to open your own business. More fundamentally, working OR starting a business has nothing to do with what you want, it has to do with what customers will pay for.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 3): It often is, but it doesn't have to be. The more reputable companies do a pretty good job, and I know people who are reliably and in some cases quite well paid. I know a guy at a particular large company who is a manager at their Tokyo HQ and makes around 7.5 million.

That guy must have been lucky. Literally everyone I know who is a teacher quits it soon and regrets it.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 3): If memory serves, there are a couple of companies doing that kind of thing already. Might want to poke around Google and see about getting on with one of those.

I didn't mention my start up yet (still working on it) and I've looked around google quite a bit about that with nothing as a result.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 3): It might also be worth looking into university employment - plenty of second-tier universities are pretty committed to seeking foreign students to boost their enrollment and revenues, and having someone who is relatable to foreign students and speaks Japanese is very attractive to their recruiters.

I'll see what my uni's career office says about that.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 3): I have been rejected by Boeing in the past, only due to JLPT1 requirements

I was rejected from their internship because of 2 reasons- 1) not being able to sponsor my visa 2) not having enough experience. Not because of language.

Quoting mad99 (Reply 4): Or maybe you need to answer the test like they want you to

They'll find out in the interviews then.

Quoting Rara (Reply 5): Sounds like that's the key. You've got to learn Japanese.

Need money (a job) and time (not a crazy non-flexible job like teaching) and an environment not in my native language (like, not being an english teacher) to learn Japanese quicker.

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 6): I noticed you've conveniently left out a big detail which could aid other members in suggesting what your next move should be: what is your degree in and how does it tie with where you wanna go in life? I know what it is, but I'll let you post it.

Not conveniently because in Japan very few jobs care about your degree. It's all about your uni here, not about the major.

Sociology major, Economics and political science minor.

Eventually I wanna go to grad school so i can be posted in the Embassy.

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 6): Then it sounds you value YouTube more than your career. You can't complain about not finding a job in Japan but not wanting to move elsewhere for it. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

That i guess is partially true, but I need a worthwhile career dealing with some sort of international thing in order for me to even have something to talk about on youtube.

Quoting Flighty (Reply 7): Unless you are independently wealthy and plan to open your own business. More fundamentally, working OR starting a business has nothing to do with what you want, it has to do with what customers will pay for.

Luckily I've already thought that through for my startup idea and I already know where to find investors.

Quoting Flighty (Reply 7): So, become a social media or marketing worker for JL, NH, or come to the US and work for one of ours. And please note, I am being extremely generous. You need to focus on what jobs are listed and what they pay, not what you'd ideally like to do as hobbies.

There's not much "listed" because job search sites typically only show teaching jobs. For companies I have to do the whole traditional shushoku katsudo recruitment process which I'm already out of because the 3 companies I applied for rejected me and I'm slated to have my graduation ceremony in September. Plus the shukatsu process is not for foreigners anyway.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): For companies I have to do the whole traditional shushoku katsudo recruitment process which I'm already out of because the 3 companies I applied for rejected me and I'm slated to have my graduation ceremony in September. Plus the shukatsu process is not for foreigners anyway.

Cool I have no idea what you are talking about, but many international companies operate in Japan too. My thoughts mainly refer to the US or global job market. Good luck! And I don't mean to rain on your parade, there absolutely are opportunities in global social media and airlines, and the nexus between.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): I instead chose to find work in Japan, for the sake of staying in the YouTube community I belong to.

Seriously? Come on man. I'm not saying move out of Japan but unless your channel is raking in money, I'd focus on getting a good job first and do YouTube on the side (if you have time... jobs take up a lot more time than college and I can't spend nearly as much time as I'd like doing my hobbies)

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Not conveniently because in Japan very few jobs care about your degree. It's all about your uni here, not about the major.

The major has little bearing? I guess I cannot refute that but I find it hard to believe. I think you'd have a shot at Boeing if you had a business degree or something

I wish you the best, I really do, you know I do. But your current situation and lack of options isn't working out for you. I think you're going to have to make a sacrifice somewhere. Might need to move out of Japan, might need to take a much worse job than you'd want and move up in the ranks, you might have to give up a lot of your hobbies for a while, you might need a different degree (which would add more debt unfortunately.)

Your political views center around personal responsibility and getting what you want out of life. Do it. Set a goal and do what it takes to get there instead of trying to squeeze out some medicare job out of what you have. If you want Boeing, for example, find out where you lack and knock out those wickets. Like I said, it may be a great deal of sacrifice for many years, but that's how you get success in life. No ease in it at all

Good luck

Edit, missed this:

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): Note- I don't check this website as much anymore (frankly i'm bored of a-net because of the excessive politicizing of it) and it would be a lot easier if you guys emailed me. My email is in my profile.

You're asking us for advice but say that this site annoys you and you probably won't check for replies so we should email you? Bro...

[Edited 2015-08-18 14:07:48]

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Eventually I wanna go to grad school so i can be posted in the Embassy.

Newbies in the state department for overseas assignments get the really lousy assignments, welcome to the African continent or some other dump. Before you even get an assignment, you must pass the security clearance, which isn't the easiest thing to do. Depending on the mood of Congress it can take a couple of years to get hired.

Article in Forbes couple of weeks ago entitled: That 'Useless' Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech's Hottest Ticket; essentially you have a useless degree for the business world; perhaps coming back to the states using your creative skills could get you a jump start on a successful career in a startup in the IT field. Government really doesn't appreciate creative people, so I would rule that out.

You got your work cut out for you. Sociology, Economics and political science are all dime a dozen degrees. Hence the need to develop your language and creative skills, and Japanese isn't the language that is in demand any more. For example I have two nephews, no schooling beyond high school, went on LDS missions to Korea and Russia. Upon their return the NSA was waiting with job offers, that is one thing the Mormons do well, teach a language is a short period of time.

I graduated 40 years ago with a degree in teaching, a field that wasn't hiring much at the time, but I had a number of different opportunities, among them: OCS in the Air Force, hotel management with a big worldwide chain, and one from left field the California Highway Patrol, which I took, if you're have to work might as well have fun. They later paid for my Masters, taught at the Academy, retired became a Magistrate, then took an management opportunity in the Probation Department; supervising various special departments. The tale here you make your own opportunities, and having sat on more interview panels than I came to remember if you have a poor attitude that will show up very quickly.

On the flip side, you can be looking at a life of selling insurance..

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): Well I kinda gave up on that, because I instead chose to find work in Japan, for the sake of staying in the YouTube community I belong to. And this is absolutely going awful.

I am not sure why being in Japan matters for the YouTube community. Friends and community are important, but you need to learn to adapt to your situation. You need to stop giving up so easily. Apply yourself and look towards your definitive goals. Does it matter to you to stay in Japan? If so work on what it takes to stay there.

You have a strong knack for Project and Product management that I have seen in some of your posts on the Civil Aviation thread. With some training, you could be really good in that area. Why not come back to the states for a while, where your English is good enough to gain traction in the business area? You can hone your skills in Japanese and wait for a better opportunity overseas when it presents itself.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Literally everyone I know who is a teacher quits it soon and regrets it.

If you are careful with your choice of employer, this isn't always the case. A lot of people get on with fly-by-night tiny schools that screw everyone over, and that's why they hate what they do. A few of the larger companies are bogus too, but others are not - ECC has set hours, decent pay, and mostly group classes as an example. You just have to give up one of your weekend days to work.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): I didn't mention my start up yet (still working on it) and I've looked around google quite a bit about that with nothing as a result.

Have you heard of H&R Group? They have all kinds of services and are focused mainly on the Kanto area.

http://www.relojapan.com/about.asp

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): I'll see what my uni's career office says about that.

Why bother talking to them? They won't help you get a job at other universities. I'd start peppering the departments handling foreign student recruitment everywhere - and see if you get any hits.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): I was rejected from their internship

OK, I thought we were talking about a position applied for.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Need money (a job) and time (not a crazy non-flexible job like teaching) and an environment not in my native language (like, not being an english teacher) to learn Japanese quicker.

You're not going to have all three of these going for you simultaneously at your age. As others have said, you're going to need to be more flexible.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Eventually I wanna go to grad school so i can be posted in the Embassy.

Unless your family has political connections, this is going to be a long process. I'd search USAjobs for any open positions in Japan and websites of the embassy/consulates, and apply for whatever's there. Doesn't matter how boring it looks - apply for it. This will be an early way to find out if you pass the background and security checks. I know a couple of people who started in desk jobs at consulates here, and eventually got into superiors' good graces and were put up for FSO positions within a few years.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): For companies I have to do the whole traditional shushoku katsudo recruitment process which I'm already out of because the 3 companies I applied for rejected me and I'm slated to have my graduation ceremony in September. Plus the shukatsu process is not for foreigners anyway.

Who told you that? Foreigners do shukatsu all the time. There are many for-pay services that help Chinese, Korean, Thai, Indian, etc. students with the process here.

Seriously dude, just a quick word - if you want Japan and all these other goals to work out, be a little more willing to listen to others. I know digital is not the best medium, but the tone of some of your responses is pretty negative and dismissive. Not going to get very far with these things you want to do if you can't turn that frown upside down. Nearly every person I have not hired in the last couple years has come down to attitude, not anything on their resume.


[Edited 2015-08-18 17:09:37]

[Edited 2015-08-18 17:09:58]

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Need money (a job) and time (not a crazy non-flexible job like teaching) and an environment not in my native language (like, not being an english teacher) to learn Japanese quicker.

You can't lay out a bunch of unrealistic demands like this and expect to get it as your entry level job. This is a fine end goal but I doubt you will get something as good as you want right off the bat. That's exactly the entitlement we criticize our generation for.

I want to be an airline pilot... great pay, great schedule, great perks, fun, get to live where I want (if I get the right airline,) etc. Unfortunately, I have to put in more than a decade of hard work (in addition to college) doing something I don't particularly want to do to get there including living away from my wife for over 4 years

Need money? Probably not gonna get it any time soon. Your degree isn't one where you can likely jump into a high paying position any time soon.

Time? Forget it. Bust your ass to get where you want, it's gonna take a lot of time to get free time. The other option is to work part time... lots of time but you obviously won't get anywhere and you'll be dirt poor.

Learn Japanese quicker from a job where you mostly speak Japanese? I can see that as a good goal, depending on your end goal. But will it match up nicely with your time and money demands? Highly doubt it

Zach, no one enters the work force wanting to make a poor salary and be swamped in work. 99.9% of everyone wants what you want. Unfortunately, these jobs just aren't there for young noobs like us, they are very rare, and they usually require some specialized degrees. Gonna have to pay your dues like the rest of us

You really need to look at your life and prioritize. College is over, I hope you enjoyed it more than I did. The real world is tough but it's yours for the taking if you apply yourself. You were born in a good position relative to most of the world, don't blow your chance. Get prepared for crap pay and being busy... put in your time and succeed in life and get a great job with great pay

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Quoting Rara (Reply 5): Sounds like that's the key. You've got to learn Japanese. Need money (a job) and time (not a crazy non-flexible job like teaching) and an environment not in my native language (like, not being an english teacher) to learn Japanese quicker.

A friend of mine became fluent in Turkish (and married her Turkish husband) all while teaching English to kids in Turkey. That is perhaps one of the best ways to engage: you teach them a language, they can help you with theirs.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 6): Then it sounds you value YouTube more than your career. You can't complain about not finding a job in Japan but not wanting to move elsewhere for it. You can't have your cake and eat it too. That i guess is partially true, but I need a worthwhile career dealing with some sort of international thing in order for me to even have something to talk about on youtube.

   You're just asking to be fired before you're even hired. You do NOT talk about what you do in your career in a public light. And I can tell you, with regards to Boeing or any other company, it's like Vegas: what happens within the company stays within the company. Only authorized officials are allowed to comment on the company (and being employees, it's always in a positive light). You do NOT want to say what the company does or doesn't do well/wrong.

Your YouTube channel should be completely free of anything that might shed negative light on your employer (and I would suggest that if you have any videos that do so, whether an employer or a person, you take them down or put them private). It's your right to say what you want; it's the company's right to decide if they want a liability like that. So unless your YouTube creations are a portfolio (trailers, comics made by you, etc.), I would suggest you don't promote YouTube as a skill and keep it low key.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Luckily I've already thought that through for my startup idea and I already know where to find investors.

Don't be surprised if your idea is shot down even before it takes off. When I did my capstone project, they brought in a real-time investor and we had to sell our idea to him where he would decide whether to invest or not. He shot down essentially every project (maybe one or two withstood muster by his standards...mine included), but he found flaws that we never thought about and as such he would not invest in them. It doesn't mean to be discouraged, but don't think that you have the greatest idea ever. The flaws and risks WILL be pointed out.

And speaking about startups, why don't you go for a business administration degree? You would have a much more credible background to a startup. It's like me saying "I have a great idea for a car" without knowing squat about what it takes to build and design one.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 14): Unfortunately, these jobs just aren't there for young noobs like us, they are very rare, and they usually require some specialized degrees.

   You either need to have a very specialized degree (so specialized that you're essentially the only subject matter expert hired for it) or have connections. About 99.999% of us don't have either one, meaning that you have to compete with others for a decent job. You compete by having a degree that's in demand, by getting experience, and by having a good GPA (and even then, as long as you have experience, the GPA is meaningless if it's within an acceptable range).

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 14): The real world is tough but it's yours for the taking if you apply yourself.

To quote a Tears for Fears song: Welcome to the real world.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 14): Get prepared for crap pay and being busy... put in your time and succeed in life and get a great job with great pay

THIS! Nothing ever comes easy at first. The effort you placed during your time in college is what you'll get back when you graduate. You reap what you sow.

Try teaching in Thailand. I did that for two years. You don't need to speak any Thai and in most cases it's better if you don't and most places only want to foreign teachers speaking in their foreign language only - the Thai teachers / assistants do any translations if needed.

Teaching in Thailand was one of the best job's I've had - I only returned to Australia because I was young and couldn't see myself living there forever. I plan to return there in 10 years or so when I can afford not to work there so any work I do will be because I want to, not because I have to.

The atmosphere is very laid back and there is very little stress. The pay ranges are massive, but even at the lower end (40,000THB per month), you can earn many times more THB than you need to survive. A good friend of mine works in an International school and earns about 200,000THB per month which is more than many teachers make here in Australia and many times some locals annual salary.

I lived in Bangkok and flights were so cheap there I'd be doing logbook runs every month or so to try new airlines and log new types - that's where my savings went  

  

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): To quote a Tears for Fears song: Welcome to the real world.

I believe you mean: "Welcome to your life. There's no turning back...."

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 17): Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): To quote a Tears for Fears song: Welcome to the real world. I believe you mean: "Welcome to your life. There's no turning back...."

That's "Everybody wants to rule the world"...and yes it applies. I was going with "Elemental", released in 1993.

Take this for all it's worth from a sixty-something person who has spent the last seven years serving on interview panels, interviewing about 100 individuals a month - and has a son 25, who has been a big success and a daughter in college.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 10): but unless your channel is raking in money

I sat down and watch two of your youtube video's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WNSqH82TPM. Tell me why would anyone pay to watch this? A no-body banging on the drums. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QXSdYp-Sqc. This one looks like it was filmed in a psychiatric institution, white walls, on a bed, in dim lighting and your incoherent rambling didn't sway this watcher that you weren't in a institution.

I can tell you without question coming into an interview a top notch corporation with the personality, speech pattern, failure to maintain eye contact etc that you displayed in the second video I watched, you won't get a call back. Unless you gain employment at a liberal high tech style start up lose the ponytail.

In review, by your own words, you can't speak Japanese, you can't read or write Japanese, another thread you stated you didn't have any close friends in Japan, along with the fact the new capital of Asia is moving across the Sea of Japan, what's the purpose of staying in Japan? Another thought there is a couple of video's (okay most of them) you might want to un-post. Certain businesses routinely check applicant's name and such on various social media sites. Anything negative will prevent you from getting hired or obtaining a security clearance; something that is necessary to work for the US Government overseas.

Have you talked to your dad regarding careers, since I'm guessing that he is paying the bills for your education. Isn't he in the banking world, he might have some contacts and solid career advice.

Some additional advice: If you want a corporate career, cut the terrible looking ponytail off, get a nice suit (didn't say expensive) and meticulously prepare for an interview so that you are well spoken when you go in.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 8): Quoting Rara (Reply 5): Sounds like that's the key. You've got to learn Japanese. Need money (a job) and time (not a crazy non-flexible job like teaching) and an environment not in my native language (like, not being an english teacher) to learn Japanese quicker.

Well, you've got to hustle. I may be the only one on here supporting your unwillingness to teach. I agree, teaching is the lazy expat's silver bullet. The no-effort solution to an acceptable income. Most have zero talent and even less passion for the job, and their only qualification is their skin colour (well, as long as it's white - black Americans can't land ESL jobs in China even though English is their mother tongue - go figure). I feel sorry for the kids that have to go to these classes (and their parents paying through the nose for a white teacher).

Get any other job that lets you survive. Go work in a bar or whatever. But use the time to learn Japanese. Properly. Including the formal qualifications. You spend an extraordinary amount of time here on a.net telling us all about the inner workings of Japan, how aviation works in Japan, offering to translate Japanese extracts and so on. It sounds like all of that time would have been better invested in actually learning the language. Now make up for it. Learn to read. Learn to write. Get a language tandem partner. Use online resources. Put some effort in.

Once you speak Japanese and can prove it on paper, you will have a much better access to highly paid and interesting jobs in Japan and even in the US.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): Japan-related stuff, photography and filmmaking, youtube, social media, and traveling

Sounds like you could be a good tourist guide for English-speaking people visiting Japan.

You won't have to teach kids, instead you will talk about things you love with people who share a lot of your interests, and lead them through the sights and places you were longing to see before going to Japan. It's an exhilarating personal experience, and will make you recall the first time you saw those places.

Most foreigners are hopelessly lost when trying to navigate Japan, so there is a chance you can make a living out of it.

Work on a travel blog, one of those many "Foreigner in XXXX" acting as a local insider to those visiting, work out a few 1, 2 and 3-days routes and since you're into social media promoting it should not be a problem.

Oh, and think twice about teaching. It might not be fun for you but eventually you will need something to sustain you while you're building up this, and you may run into some useful business contacts who may have a job hint for you.

Quoting Flighty (Reply 9): Cool I have no idea what you are talking about, but many international companies operate in Japan too

The process of being recruited in a Japanese company is really broken, plain and simple.

Quoting Flighty (Reply 9): And I don't mean to rain on your parade, there absolutely are opportunities in global social media and airlines, and the nexus between.

I know, just trying to figure out where to search for those opportunities gets me lost.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 10): Seriously? Come on man. I'm not saying move out of Japan but unless your channel is raking in money,

Quoting casinterest (Reply 12): I am not sure why being in Japan matters for the YouTube community

Quoting 910A (Reply 11): That 'Useless' Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech's Hottest Ticket; essentially you have a useless degree for the business world; perhaps coming back to the states using your creative skills could get you a jump start on a successful career in a startup in the IT field. Government really doesn't appreciate creative people, so I would rule that out.

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): You're just asking to be fired before you're even hired. You do NOT talk about what you do in your career in a public light.

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): Your YouTube channel should be completely free of anything that might shed negative light on your employer (and I would suggest that if you have any videos that do so

Quoting JJJ (Reply 22): Work on a travel blog, one of those many "Foreigner in XXXX" acting as a local insider to those visiting, work out a few 1, 2 and 3-days routes and since you're into social media promoting it should not be a problem.

You guys clearly have not seen my YouTube channel. I keep my private life seriously under wraps. I was reluctant to even say what college I went to. I keep my last name hidden and my FB profile and everything has a pseudonym. I don't want anything dealing with my private life being told on my channel, and that will include my place of work. Most of the discussion I would do would be regarding my experience at an internship back in the states versus work life in Japan. I would also compare it with my dad's work life. That's all i was going to discuss.

and JJJ- My channel somwhat falls into that "J-vlogger" category (although I include travel videos and gaming videos on my channel as well). I am friends with a good chunk of those "_____ in Japan" vloggers and collab with them a lot. So that's already part of my channel, and also some of what I was going to do would be included in that start up idea I mentioned.

Quoting casinterest (Reply 12): You have a strong knack for Project and Product management that I have seen in some of your posts on the Civil Aviation thread. With some training, you could be really good in that area. Why not come back to the states for a while, where your English is good enough to gain traction in the business area? You can hone your skills in Japanese and wait for a better opportunity overseas when it presents itself.

Well the only opportunities for me to find work in the US are in Arizona and Ohio. Not much in the way of Japanese going on in either area.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 13): If you are careful with your choice of employer, this isn't always the case.

Even with good employers, I still somehow failed the personality test for AEON, with them saying I'm bad with kids......how? I have no clue. Maybe a lack of patience with children.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 13): Have you heard of H&R Group? They have all kinds of services and are focused mainly on the Kanto area.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 13): You're not going to have all three of these going for you simultaneously at your age. As others have said, you're going to need to be more flexible.

Funny, I always thought my way of completing tasks was with flexibility. I personally put money as a last position because I know i am not going to be rich as a newb in the business world. Just need enough to pay my rent and pay for my food.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 13): Unless your family has political connections,

No problem there.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 13): Seriously dude, just a quick word - if you want Japan and all these other goals to work out, be a little more willing to listen to others. I know digital is not the best medium, but the tone of some of your responses is pretty negative and dismissive.

Because I've been at this for a while and have already tried a lot of this.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 14): Need money? Probably not gonna get it any time soon. Your degree isn't one where you can likely jump into a high paying position any time soon.

AGain, not a huge importance but just need enough to survive and to buy a new computer.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 14): Learn Japanese quicker from a job where you mostly speak Japanese? I can see that as a good goal, depending on your end goal. But will it match up nicely with your time and money demands? Highly doubt it

Time- not necessarily an issue. I'm already somewhat good at Japanese (i'm conversational in 2 dialects at best). All i really need for passing N2 is learning the vocabulary and the kanji. Not hard to do at all, just need to be able to have time to study outside work.

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): A friend of mine became fluent in Turkish (and married her Turkish husband) all while teaching English to kids in Turkey. That is perhaps one of the best ways to engage: you teach them a language, they can help you with theirs.

Japanese is a lot different, and at those eikaiwa schools, and as an ALT, you are not supposed to use Japanese, according to my friends who have worked at those schools.

Even doing part-time tutoring, I got yelled at for translating something into Japanese for a student.

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): Don't be surprised if your idea is shot down even before it takes off.

That's why I have MULTIPLE ideas.

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): THIS! Nothing ever comes easy at first. The effort you placed during your time in college is what you'll get back when you graduate. You reap what you sow.

Well that's why I transferred to Sophia University. I wanted to learn more about the society IN the society. That's why I came here.

Quoting Rara (Reply 21): Get any other job that lets you survive. Go work in a bar or whatever. But use the time to learn Japanese. Properly.

I've been applying to a buttload of headhunting companies. Some have replied saying I have too much experience, like I said.....somehow.....

Quoting JJJ (Reply 22): Sounds like you could be a good tourist guide for English-speaking people visiting Japan.

That is something I have been interested in doing, or maybe doing something along the lines of a tourism website. The Japanese tourism companies are out though. Very few foreigners get a job at JTB and HST Travel doesn't sponsor visas. I'm doing research right now trying to figure out a good American company that does tourism.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 23): Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): THIS! Nothing ever comes easy at first. The effort you placed during your time in college is what you'll get back when you graduate. You reap what you sow. Well that's why I transferred to Sophia University. I wanted to learn more about the society IN the society. That's why I came here.

You're still not addressing a fundamental issue: what did you expect to gain by learning about Japanese society? You say you want to work for Boeing. How or why would Boeing hire you? What would you provide Boeing that they don't already have or need? Why would any other company hire you for that matter? What makes you unique in that a company will say "Oh s#!t, this guy has talent. We could really use him."?

When you transferred, did you consider a plan B in case SU's prestige failed you?

I won't deny this: being able to study and graduate in a foreign university is prestigious (even if it's an American university in an international campus). It's an amazing experience I wish I could have taken advantage of (I didn't because of student loans).

But the prestige only goes so far. If you think that because you studied abroad you'll land a cushy, high 5 figure or low 6 figure salary, I hate to burst your bubble, but unless you studied something that's in demand and you're a star candidate, it's not gonna help you that much.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 23): Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): Don't be surprised if your idea is shot down even before it takes off. That's why I have MULTIPLE ideas.

Have you played Devil's Advocate with them? You really have to address ALL the flaws yourself before presenting them. Not trying to put you down, but I'm bringing you a dose of reality: many ideas falter because they're not unique or riddled with so many small flaws that no one will want to invest.

PHX787,

When are you going to shave that damn ponytail and work on your grammar/social skills for your interviews? If not, when do you plan on doing that?

Honestly, fixing those couple of things will lead you to have a lot more success in the interview arena. Dress sharp for your interviews. I have an interview myself coming up this Friday in Milwaukee and you better believe I'm already preparing for it -- Making sure suit has been laundered, copies printed of resume/cover letter/references, studying up on the company/department, etc.

I'm not trying to be mean, but realistic. I'm 29 and fortunate I have learned what it takes to be successful. No, I do not get every job I interview for, but I at least give myself a shot by preparing in the ways mentioned above.

Quoting FriscoHeavy (Reply 25): I have an interview myself coming up this Friday in Milwaukee and you better believe I'm already preparing for it -- Making sure suit has been laundered, copies printed of resume/cover letter/references, studying up on the company/department, etc.

  
As someone that has been on the other side of the table conducting the interviews, it's nice to hear someone taking time to actually prepare, that means you already have a leg up on some of the other applicants.

Quoting FriscoHeavy (Reply 25): When are you going to shave that damn ponytail and work on your grammar/social skills for your interviews?

  
Unless you're self employed or satisfied with manual labor the pony tail will continue to reflect badly on you. Lack of interpersonal skills can't be hidden in a face to face interview.
Again not being mean, just giving you a sense of reality, since you're what 24 y.o now. Have you thought about applying to the Air Force or Navy OCS programs? Not only will you develop strong leadership skills, depending on the field you can get hands on experience in management in skills that aviation companies are looking for. One other plus, especially the Air Force, you can work on your Master's while on active duty. Something to think about.

Quoting 910A (Reply 26): Have you thought about applying to the Air Force or Navy OCS programs? Not only will you develop strong leadership skills, depending on the field you can get hands on experience in management in skills that aviation companies are looking for. One other plus, especially the Air Force, you can work on your Master's while on active duty. Something to think about.

That is a great advice and not something I thought about. I'd highly recommend taking the military route for something like this.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): Well I kinda gave up on that, because I instead chose to find work in Japan, for the sake of staying in the YouTube community I belong to.

Am I just too old to get it (I don't feel that old...), or is this as ridiculous as it sounds?

I get wanting to live somewhere due to some hobby or other, but a job and life security trump that easily, any day of the week.

The job I started in December is about 50 miles from LAX, whereas the old one was about 15 miles away. This means I can hardly ever go take photos at LAX on a weekday anymore. And my weekends are pretty busy. Ergo, I don't get to go take photos nearly as much, which is my primary hobby. But the job opportunity was far more important.

Quoting FriscoHeavy (Reply 25): When are you going to shave that damn ponytail and work on your grammar/social skills for your interviews? If not, when do you plan on doing that?

Grammar/interview skills, yes of course they are important.

Long hair? I've gotten two jobs now with long hair. Of course, I'm an engineer, not a "corporate"-type guy. So it's very dependent on what's acceptable at the company or in the line of work.

Quoting FriscoHeavy (Reply 25): I'm not trying to be mean, but realistic. I'm 29 and fortunate I have learned what it takes to be successful. No, I do not get every job I interview for, but I at least give myself a shot by preparing in the ways mentioned above.

I'm 33, and the single biggest thing I learned about interviewing is to just be myself. I'm not good at being anybody else. I don't try to oversell myself or undersell myself. In fact, I don't try and sell myself at all.

It's worked wonders; primarily, I'm much more relaxed in interviews. I used to be nervous as hell.

Quoting 910A (Reply 26): Unless you're self employed or satisfied with manual labor the pony tail will continue to reflect badly on you. Lack of interpersonal skills can't be hidden in a face to face interview.

OK, let's not all judge his interviewing skills based on Youtube videos.....

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 23): The process of being recruited in a Japanese company is really broken, plain and simple.

I see a lot of "blaming everyone but yourself" on both here and your FB profile. I know the system can be broken at times, but I do not see very much owning up to your own failures. Many of us have had the same challenges but have made it through them. I don't think life is throwing anything at you that you can't handle, you just need to redirect your efforts. The first step is to stop blaming everything else... even if it is messed up. We all have to go through it, you're not getting hit with anything unique at all

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 23): I keep my private life seriously under wraps.

I'll admit that I probably go further than I need to to keep my personal life private, but I still think you reveal too much. I would not want my bosses to see profanity laced rants of me playing, IDK, GTA5. And you'd be surprised at how much you can find out about someone with very little information.

Just typing your full name in google (I obviously won't list it here) I found out a ton of information on you. Not in one place but doing a bit of digging was not hard. Also, it did not take long at all to find your full name using just the information I found on this forum. I can basically start in any location you're at online and find most of everything you have put online, and I barely even looked.

Don't think that just because you leave out a bit of information in one location it can't be found in another. I'd do some scrubbing if I were you. A tip is to never use the same screen name twice... you'd be surprised at how easy you can find people with tiny pieces of information if it's repeated over various websites

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 23): All i really need for passing N2 is learning the vocabulary and the kanji. Not hard to do at all, just need to be able to have time to study outside work.

Do you have a structured plan on doing better, or are you "self studying?" If you are serious about learning it professionally, you need to do so professionally. Talking to friends in Japanese and studying some Kanji at night is good and all, but it is definitely supplemental to a regimented system

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 24): Quoting PHX787 (Reply 23): Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 15): THIS! Nothing ever comes easy at first. The effort you placed during your time in college is what you'll get back when you graduate. You reap what you sow. Well that's why I transferred to Sophia University. I wanted to learn more about the society IN the society. That's why I came here. You're still not addressing a fundamental issue: what did you expect to gain by learning about Japanese society? You say you want to work for Boeing. How or why would Boeing hire you? What would you provide Boeing that they don't already have or need? Why would any other company hire you for that matter? What makes you unique in that a company will say "Oh s#!t, this guy has talent. We could really use him."?

That is what I'm wondering. You have some perspective on living in the US and in Japan. So? That knowledge is not very hard to get and not extremely valuable alone.

You gave up way too easily on your Boeing dream (IDK, maybe it really wasn't a dream for you, but it sounded like it's something you really wanted to do and you quit already.) What does it take to work there or any job you want? You're going about it backwards, you need to find what wickets you need to hit, hit them, then get the job. You don't decide on what you and your inexperience (not an insult, we just all are inexperienced at that stage in life) thinks is cool and then go from there.

As you see, it's not really working out. You have a degree that isn't in demand or very specialized and the things you say are your strong points are just amateur level at best. Companies want some level of skill and professionalism in these fields

Quoting 910A (Reply 26): Have you thought about applying to the Air Force or Navy OCS programs?

IDK how you feel about the military, or if you're disqualified somehow, but I think this is a great idea. It takes a lot of sacrifice and hard work, but it's a great option for people that have hit a dead end but want another shot (good pay, good experience, great opportunities afterwards.)

Really consider that and let me know if you're interested.

Don't take anything any of us are saying and get mad or discouraged. Hopefully you're able to take criticism even if it hurts. That's part of life. I think you really need to hear a lot of this. Get a goal, a realistic but ambitious one, and GET IT. Quit giving up, you haven't even started yet. You've been graduated what, a few months? You're already waving the white flag and have easily given up on jobs like Boeing. You haven't set yourself up that well for jobs like that, but it's certainly still attainable if you want to put in the hard work to get there.

You espouse a lot of libertarian views... people get what they work for. Well, I somewhat disagree, but that's for a different thread. But for you, yes, you definitely can do a lot better and you have more than enough to be successful. Live up to that. No offense, but the things I hear you say about liberals and a lot of the stereotypes you seem to believe about them...... you fit the stereotypes. Ironically, a lot of your liberal friends, the ones that are supposed to be the lazy ones that don't understand x or y, are doing quite well in life, and are lecturing you about personal responsibility. I'd really reflect on that. Entitlement is a big problem in our generation and here's the thing--people don't really know when they're acting entitled.

Coasting through college, not putting in serious hard work, and expecting a good job? That's entitlement. Life and success is only for you to lose

Just an FYI, HA is looking for bilingual FA's, applications open tomorrow at noon PST.

Quoting 910A (Reply 11): Japanese isn't the language that is in demand any more

Japanese is so 1980s

Pretty easy. In reading your posts here about the air service in the U.S. you come across as seeing yourself as very entitled. You're a college grad. They don't need you. You need them.
Tone down the language in cover letters. Someone young who is a new grad coming at them with a degree of 3-majors, all this "experience" doing this, that, knowledge of this/that, etc - will scream "own agenda" and the resume will go right into the trash bin.
As I tell everyone in the resume process - "cut it back and tone it down, unless your mother is hiring you, you're not special."

Quoting stlgph (Reply 32): As I tell everyone in the resume process - "cut it back and tone it down, unless your mother is hiring you, you're not special."

Agreed. Sell yourself as "totally replaceable, utterly run of the mill paper pusher" or similar.   But to be real, that's what 99% of jobs actually want. They want someone who fits expectations and definitely no weirdos like many of us. Alternatively, what they want is somebody who fills expectations or follows orders faster than normal, or with greater anticipation/less instruction than normal.

Of course, those who don't want to be an employee in a large organization can pursue lead roles in tiny, unstable organizations, or hash out their brilliant idea in a garage somewhere, alone. A life of crime is also an option. Don't say there are no options!  

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 24): But the prestige only goes so far. If you think that because you studied abroad you'll land a cushy, high 5 figure or low 6 figure salary, I hate to burst your bubble, but unless you studied something that's in demand and you're a star candidate, it's not gonna help you that much.

Im not trying to land a 6-figure starter job. I'm trying to land something that's going to drive me into a good career 5 years down the line.

Quoting FriscoHeavy (Reply 25): When are you going to shave that damn ponytail and work on your grammar/social skills for your interviews? If not, when do you plan on doing that?

Seriously? that's quite rude. You don't know how I talk in person so reserve your judgement for later. I never failed an interview because of hair or grammar. It's because I'm not qualified for that job.

Quoting 910A (Reply 26): Unless you're self employed or satisfied with manual labor the pony tail will continue to reflect badly on you. Lack of interpersonal skills can't be hidden in a face to face interview.

See above.

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 28): Am I just too old to get it (I don't feel that old...), or is this as ridiculous as it sounds?

Yeah it's crazy but it's reason enough for me.

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 28): Long hair? I've gotten two jobs now with long hair. Of course, I'm an engineer, not a "corporate"-type guy. So it's very dependent on what's acceptable at the company or in the line of work.

I've landed two internships with long hair. No problems. I've seen plenty of corporate types in Japan with long hair too.

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 28): Grammar/interview skills, yes of course they are important.

See above to my reply to him.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34):

Well what is the problem then? You seem to be shutting down all the criticism you're getting yet you absolutely can't find a job and most (all?) of the people responding to you have successful careers. If you're right and they're all wrong, why are you (fresh out of college with no job experience I should add) the one without a job?

Obviously you know you better than any of us, but the dismissal of all other criticism is pretty immature. I'd do some soul searching because you're obviously doing something(s) very, very wrong. I think it's time to be an adult, take the criticisms like an adult, and make whatever necessary changes you need to make

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 28): Am I just too old to get it (I don't feel that old...), or is this as ridiculous as it sounds? Yeah it's crazy but it's reason enough for me.

Zach, screw your YouTube channel. It is doing NOTHING for you. Keep it as a side hobby (if you have time for it) but base none of your important decisions off of it. I'd mention that most successful YouTubers are no where near these YouTube buildings or whatever but that's completely irrelevant--organize your priorities in life, then stick YouTube at the bottom. It shouldn't even be a distant blip on the radar at this point in your life

If YouTube is an important hobby for you, strive for a job that gives you enough time off to pursue hobbies like that, but don't expect that job right away... it may take a decade for all you know. This is real life, now you only get fun if you put in the work

Hopefully you can take what I'm saying to heart and not get all mad and shut down or anything. I'm hardly the expert in life and I don't have much more experience than you, but I do know how to seek out criticism (even though I hate being critiqued probably more than anything in life.) I'm only being more blunt because it appears (in your FB posts) that you're getting more and more desperate.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): I never failed an interview because of hair or grammar. It's because I'm not qualified for that job.

Not being qualified for the job, is the number one standard rejection. Your appearance and speaking ability waking in the room for the interview can sink you before the first question is asked. If you don't want to accept criticism from individuals that have worked in the real world, conducted interviews, hired prospects that's your right. You really seem to need some tough love at this point.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 35): You seem to be shutting down all the criticism you're getting yet you absolutely can't find a job and most (all?) of the people responding to you have successful careers. If you're right and they're all wrong, why are you (fresh out of college with no job experience I should add) the one without a job?

  

Guess the next question is how are you supporting yourself, or are your parents being enablers by sending you money and paying your tuition?

Quoting 910A (Reply 36): Your appearance and speaking ability waking in the room for the interview can sink you before the first question is asked.

Agreed. Like it or not, fair or unfair, your pony tail gets mentioned quite a bit. I think it's fair to say it isn't helping you, it can only hurt you. Consider this: if it is a turn off, do you think many interviewers will tell you it is? It is not their job to coach you, it's their job to accept or reject you. They are going to probably offer some diplomatic response like "you're not qualified enough" or "you're too qualified" (funny how it's never in between) and then invite you to politely leave.

Like I said, it's being mentioned by a lot of people. It is probably a liability... best case it's irrelevant, worst case it's ruining your interviews. I (and others here) recommend you cut it, having short hair will not negatively impact you in 99.99% of jobs

I'm tired of sugarcoating and it seems you wants us to sympathize with you instead of taking charge of what you need to do:

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): I'm trying to land something that's going to drive me into a good career 5 years down the line.

And how do you expect to do that with your degree? Zach, face the facts: your degree, while no doubt enlightening, is not something that any Japanese or American company wants. You've asked for my help to land you a job at Boeing. The truth is, there are no job postings anywhere that call for someone with your background. There are manufacturing positions for which you'll have to relocate on your own and you shot that down too. I'm afraid I can't be of much help to you.

You should have thought about your career prospects when you ticked the box that said where you'd go to school and what you'd study. A company is not going to hire you because you have any degree. I wouldn't be a software engineer with a degree in 16th century Spanish. This is what you need to get through your head.

I already suggested you do a masters or do a second degree. You studied social sciences. Good for you. Now get a degree in something that is useful.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): You don't know how I talk in person so reserve your judgement for later.

There's no need to meet you in person: your YouTube videos speak for themselves. And those of us that have you on Facebook, the status posts are often indicators of how you'd phrase stuff.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): I never failed an interview because of hair or grammar. It's because I'm not qualified for that job.

It never hurts to brush up good skills and look presentable. If I were a recruiter, your resume would probably go into the discard pile if you showed up with a ponytail. It shows you're not taking the opportunity seriously enough.

I have ear piercings. I wear them to work on a daily basis. They're conservative enough that they blend in with the working atmosphere of my office, but when I did my interview, those piercings came off. I shaved. I got a neat haircut. It showed that I was interested in being interviewed. Even with my credentials, I didn't feel entitled to be interviewed and given a job offer; this was something I had to earn. I did that by impressing the interviewers. They say "Don't judge a book by its cover"...unfortunately, if a book is tattered and worn out, I wouldn't even pick it up.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): Yeah it's crazy but it's reason enough for me.

Then why are you complaining about not landing a job? Your priorities aren't straight, man. You don't like the environment in Japan but you wanna live there because of YouTube? Since when is living anywhere else a barrier for YouTube? What will you do if you go into a demanding work environment? "Sorry I'm not at my peak, but I gotta please my YouTube fans"?

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): I've landed two internships with long hair. No problems. I've seen plenty of corporate types in Japan with long hair too.

An internship and a work opportunity are two different monsters. An internship is for a student to get first-hand experience (though I question what kind of work would a sociology major have in terms of an internship); a full-time offer is different.

And regarding the long hair:
1. You're not Japanese. You're not one of them. It may be acceptable and a pass for them. You're a foreigner.
2. I would bet anything that when they were interviewed they had shorter hair.
3. Once someone is in, they're in. If you're trying to get in, you have to impress.
4. The fact that they don't mention it doesn't mean that it doesn't influence their decision. Why aren't you qualified?

It's just hair: it grows back. College is over. This is adulthood. You can survive with short hair for a few months.

You just wanna land a job where you're the one calling the shots (long hair, Japan, enough time for YouTube)...newsflash: you either get rich in an instant or you conform to how a work environment is, which means look presentable and prioritize what you want in life.

Reflect on the past years and really ask yourself: does anyone really need a sociology major? Maybe a college, but you'd need a masters in that and to teach, maybe even a PhD. And you don't want to teach. What do you plan to do with your sociology major? I asked you: why would Boeing or any other company think you're qualified to work with them? Why would they place you in Japan right off the bat?

Not everyone was born with a silver spoon like you. My parents couldn't afford to send me abroad (heck, not even within the states). I studied at the public university because I got free tuition through my mom who works there. I still had to pay housing, fuel, groceries, and everything by myself. I took out loans to cover those costs. But you know what? I faced the challenges. And I got a degree that I was certain would land me a job. It was a rough time for me, but I had my goal in sight. I studied something that was in demand. And it's paid off: I have a job (offered even before I graduated), almost done paying my loans, and enjoying what I do every day. Would I have loved to have taken it easy during college? Yeah. So many nights of fun missed while hitting the books. But the end result is two degrees and a nice job.

What is your goal? You were fed with a silver spoon (don't deny it...how many people can study abroad without having to work for it?) and all it seems is that it's wasted. So close to the finish line (far closer than many of us) and yet the system is at fault because the finish line is not closer to you. And not only that, you also don't want to work to get to the finish line. You prioritize YouTube over your career prospects which means ruling out many other job offers that, while small, are all you need to get started.

And the irony of it all (and I'll finish with this) is seeing how you criticize a presidential candidate who wants to give others the same opportunity that you had and who will probably make better use of it.

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 28): Am I just too old to get it (I don't feel that old...), or is this as ridiculous as it sounds? Yeah it's crazy but it's reason enough for me.

Well, I hope it's reason enough for you to not have a job, too. That is literally the craziest reason I've ever heard for staying somewhere, to the very obvious detriment of getting a job.

I mean, think about what it's saying. "I value Youtube over food, and shelter, and a career!"

Who would hire someone who said that?

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 28): Long hair? I've gotten two jobs now with long hair. Of course, I'm an engineer, not a "corporate"-type guy. So it's very dependent on what's acceptable at the company or in the line of work. I've landed two internships with long hair. No problems. I've seen plenty of corporate types in Japan with long hair too.

To be fair, and I should have stated this earlier, the two jobs I've gotten with long hair were NOT first jobs out of school. Once you've worked for awhile, your experience is far more important than anything else. But for a first job, you have no experience, and all they can judge you on is your appearance, your manner, and your schooling.

Or, to put it succinctly:

Quoting einsteinboricua (Reply 38): 3. Once someone is in, they're in. If you're trying to get in, you have to impress.

Also, it may be illegal for them to say "I didn't hire you because you had long hair". So they may have to say "you're not qualified".

Quoting PHX787 (Reply 34): Im not trying to land a 6-figure starter job. I'm trying to land something that's going to drive me into a good career 5 years down the line.

Sure that is what every person wants, but it's not a layup for most people.

Communication Specialist Level 2 has several jobs open at Boeing. I searched for the keyword "social media." Wasn't that hard. Job asks several years' work experience in the field. You'll have to cobble together the experience. Or else hope that a Level 1 position opens up.

Quoting 910A (Reply 36): Not being qualified for the job, is the number one standard rejection. Your appearance and speaking ability waking in the room for the interview can sink you before the first question is asked. If you don't want to accept criticism from individuals that have worked in the real world, conducted interviews, hired prospects that's your right. You really seem to need some tough love at this point.

Normally the CV gets you the interview - so they deemed you qualified. It's the interview process that is letting you down. I was always told - dress two levels up for an interview.

The right job will come - it just takes time and patience.

Quoting Flighty (Reply 40): Job asks several years' work experience in the field.

And in the field means actual work. Unless you're making videos on YouTube for some company, that's not experience, especially if the end product isn't impressive. Anyone can turn on a camera and ramble on and on.

Quoting BestWestern (Reply 41): Normally the CV gets you the interview - so they deemed you qualified. It's the interview process that is letting you down. I was always told - dress two levels up for an interview.

Wear a suit for an interview. Full stop.

For everything else, Einsteinboricua's post #38 says everything I could possibly want to say right now.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 13): Seriously dude, just a quick word - if you want Japan and all these other goals to work out, be a little more willing to listen to others. I know digital is not the best medium, but the tone of some of your responses is pretty negative and dismissive. Not going to get very far with these things you want to do if you can't turn that frown upside down. Nearly every person I have not hired in the last couple years has come down to attitude, not anything on their resume.

  

Smart interviewers will look at your attitude and potential coachability to be successful in the role. Saying that there are bad interviewers whom have no idea about anything and an interview is your opportunity to suss out the company also because no company is going to advertise that their culture is crap.

I got a promotion in June because I had a better attitude than other people in the branch I was applying for even though my numbers were likely far lower. I think a lot of that was my attitude and work ethic.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 14): You can't lay out a bunch of unrealistic demands like this and expect to get it as your entry level job. This is a fine end goal but I doubt you will get something as good as you want right off the bat. That's exactly the entitlement we criticize our generation for.

I think the entitlement is overblown to millennials as a whole but there is merit to a lot of that. I do very heavily criticize the idea of paying dues for the sake of paying dues, if a new hire learns quickly, is coachable, and leapfrogs senior peers then that is life and life isn't always fair.

A sense of entitlement creates arrogance and a bad environment and I see it very easily now.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): I haven't had an interview for the last two weeks.

I was on a job hunt from August 2014 to June 2015 roughly a 10 month period and got about one a month while currently working. You are doing fine.

Quoting FriscoHeavy (Reply 25): When are you going to shave that damn ponytail and work on your grammar/social skills for your interviews? If not, when do you plan on doing that? Honestly, fixing those couple of things will lead you to have a lot more success in the interview arena. Dress sharp for your interviews. I have an interview myself coming up this Friday in Milwaukee and you better believe I'm already preparing for it -- Making sure suit has been laundered, copies printed of resume/cover letter/references, studying up on the company/department, etc. I'm not trying to be mean, but realistic. I'm 29 and fortunate I have learned what it takes to be successful. No, I do not get every job I interview for, but I at least give myself a shot by preparing in the ways mentioned above.

  

I don't know how this is lost on people.

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 28): I'm 33, and the single biggest thing I learned about interviewing is to just be myself. I'm not good at being anybody else. I don't try to oversell myself or undersell myself. In fact, I don't try and sell myself at all. It's worked wonders; primarily, I'm much more relaxed in interviews. I used to be nervous as hell.

Also being relaxed means that you can actually interview the company to see if they are worthy of you.

Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 37): Agreed. Like it or not, fair or unfair, your pony tail gets mentioned quite a bit. I think it's fair to say it isn't helping you, it can only hurt you. Consider this: if it is a turn off, do you think many interviewers will tell you it is?

They would get sued.

It depends on the role, if you aren't going to interact with clients then who give a crap but if you are then how you look matters. As life is unfair this is why attractive people do much better in a lot of roles because optics matter especially in a corporate environment and someone who is cleaned up is seen as more serious and trustworthy.

Quoting BestWestern (Reply 41): Normally the CV gets you the interview - so they deemed you qualified. It's the interview process that is letting you down. I was always told - dress two levels up for an interview.

They don't deem you qualified they want to know more about you.

In today's world a good one can help but it is all about who you know or your brand. If your Linkedin page is out of date and connections are lacking that can hurt you as well an any questionable social media posts and pictures.

There are some jobs where a suit is useless. I teach yoga on the side and really going to a gym and a yoga studio for an interview in a suit doesn't make a lot of sense but sensible attire matters there too.

I had to tell a girl whom has an really nice body that it is not acceptable to teach yoga in a sports bra. You can wear athletic gear but it has to be conservative to your body type.

Another thing to consider is get a job, any job, be it just a minimum wage part time job because in the US at least its sometimes easier to find better jobs when you have one even if its crappy. Personally I'm in my mid 20s just started a job that has a great career track and a lot of it was just working hard at part time retail job. You never know when a not great part time job turns into a foot in the door for a fun full time job.

I got my AS but then got really burnt out and dropped out. When and did some other educational endeavors (not related in the field I'm in now but at least useful in life) but maintain that job as low hours part time. Then over the year or so I worked as much as I could and got trained to do a lot of jobs in the store and then when I started applying for the new job someone who saw me work and knew my work at the store sent my resume to the hiring person. I then interviewed and got hired to do this job without any field experience based mainly on the recommendation and showing to be very adaptable.

As far as YouTube goes. If you want to do it as a career then go get a hourly job to pay the bills and then work to butt off to deliver a novel concept to YouTubers that they want to see and very few are doing. I'm only subscribed to a few people on YouTube but that is because they do that unique thing that not a lot are doing and they for the most part are bi-vocational. YouTube is probably a lot like music where very few make it big and the majority either do it on the side as a hobby or live on rice and beans working their butts off to make it big.

If you don't however then do not make any decisions based on it. It is a hobby that you do because its fun and needs to treated as such.

[Edited 2015-09-04 07:12:20]

Mike Rowe has some great advice
http://www.lifebuzz.com/mike-rowe/

Maybe speak to Ryan Boundless. That guy just loves Japan and is always full of great ideas and has strong opinions about living/working in Japan.

Quoting StarAC17 (Reply 44): Also being relaxed means that you can actually interview the company to see if they are worthy of you.

Absolutely. Once you learn to relax and stop trying to sell yourself for the whole interview, you're able to get a much better feel for the people with whom you are interviewing, and the general atmosphere at the company. And you're able to ask questions and judge the answers.

My general attitude is that if they are interviewing me, they're already interested (as am I). At this point, it doesn't necessarily matter if I know everything I'll need to know for the job, as long as I'm willing and able to work with people and learn what's necessary.

But that whole attitude may not work for everyone. I just happen to know that it works best for me.

Quoting PHX787 (Thread starter): but there's no way I can become a teacher.

There are always private lessons, I taught in a language school for a while and frankly you can make much more money teaching your own students.

It takes a while to build up a base of students, but if it's similar to Poland, you can easily make double what the language school will pay.