10) 1st day at working in a Japanese company

So you made it and now all you have to do is make sure you graduate and don’t screw up (like getting arrested).

Everything begins for most new recruits/employees April 1st, which will be your fast day on the job. Some companies are now starting to hire both in Fall (Oct.1st) and Spring )April).

So what happens on April 1st?
Most companies will have some sort of entrance ceremony for the new hire group. This is where you will throw away your backpack and flip-flops and exchange it for dress shoes and brief case.  You are now a offical member of the working society as people in Japan like to think.

This ceremony usually takes place in the morning where all the top officials from the company will come out to welcome you. You will hear some sort of speech possible about the company’s history, future, and some words of encouragement regarding your next adventure. Most companies this is a formal event so you should look nice unless the company says different. 

After the ceremony you move into your training group room. Some hold the training at the office, others might do it at a hotel or some other place. At my company we hold the ceremony at a nearby hotel, and then everyone comes to our office where they enter into the training room. This room is where they will call home for the next month or two depending on the companies training program.

Then you will be there until the end of the day and will possible attend a welcome party with the Executives and a few employees from the company. It is a time to relax and get to know each other so enjoy it and drink and eat to your hearts content.

Next up…Training

9) Job Offer 内定

Congratulations you got the job or should I say 内定(naitei) which means job offer. The ball is now in your court and it is up to you determine where you will go.

Many Japanese students will keep on searching for jobs even after getting a job offer unless it is from a company they really want to work for. This only works to your advantage if you got offer from small to medium size companies so you have a few back up plans while you still interview with other companies.

The process

After passing the final interview you should receive a phone call from someone in HR to say passed. They usually will ask you to come into the office they can discuss what to do next and make it official during a job offer meeting.

1) Job Offer meeting

This is a time when you will sit down with someone from HR and they will make it official. This is also when they will give you a letter of intent to sign. This letter is your commitment to the company saying that you will join that company and not interview with anyone else. Keep in mind this is NOT a contract so it can be broken.

2) Until when do I have to sign?

Most companies will give you time to sign where there may be a few that pressure you to do that day. Unless you absolutely sure, don’t sign it and make sure you are almost 100% sure you want to join that company. So you can hold out anywhere from 1 month to or more. Some companies will try to get you to sign within a month as they want to wrap things with recruitment ASAP, but if they really like you they will wait. However, don’t let it drag out too long unless you have a good reason. Most will be understanding if you have a good reason so don’t be  afraid to be honest with them.

3) Ceremony for incoming recruitment class (内定式）<—naiteishiki

This event is usually held on Oct.1st with all major companies in Japan. The reason for this is you can’t be a two different companies at the same time. Most people will have decided long before this date, however, there might be a few fence sitters who can’t make up their mind just yet.  This event will be a time for you to meet with the CEO and some of the Executive Board members. They will also give you orientation of sorts and outline what will happen between now and April 1st (start time for most companies). Some companies will assign homework and online courses to help you transitition from student life and get you ready to start work.