1. What the JET Career Fairs Are (and.. Why do they matter?)
The JET Career Fairs (Tokyo and Osaka) are in-person events organized by CLAIR (the government organization behind JET) and Pasona (the HR company managing the career fair and internship program).
Most importantly: the companies attending are choosing to be there because they want to meet (and hire) JET participants. That makes this one of the best job-hunting opportunities available to JETs who want to stay in Japan.
2. Your 3 Goals at a Career Fair
To approach the day strategically, keep these three goals in mind:
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Be remembered
Companies may speak with 10–50+ candidates in a single day—often for one open position.
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Get next steps
The “win” is usually not an on-the-spot offer, but a follow-up meeting/interview within the next couple of weeks.
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Collect signals
You are also assessing them. Look for clues about: team culture, communication style, role clarity, and whether it’s a workplace you’d actually enjoy.
3. What Companies Are Really Hiring For (the “Why” Behind the Booths)
Based on survey data from participating companies, common motivations include:
- Hiring strong talent (regardless of nationality)
- Strengthening overseas business (clients, partners, exports, inbound/outbound)
- Bringing new perspectives / diversity of thought to improve innovation and creativity
- Developing future leaders for overseas branches(more common in Tokyo)
- Building “bridge” talent who can connect Japan with other markets
- Overseas expansion through sales/marketing and global positioning
A key takeaway: many roles at these fairs ultimately connect to global business development in some form(international sales, marketing, client support, coordination, research, etc.).
4. The Strengths JETs Often Underestimate
We revisited the shared strengths that frequently stand out to Japanese employers:
- Native English + conversational Japanese (bridge talent)
- Proven commitment to Japan (lower “flight risk”)
- Adaptability and patience (you’ve already navigated Japanese systems)
- Unique global networks (connections Japanese hires may not have)
- Diversity of thought (fresh perspectives on products, processes, messaging)
- Tech familiarity / digital comfort (especially valuable for SMEs modernizing)
- Communication skills (sharing ideas clearly, listening well, presenting)
- Self-motivation / growth mindset
- Personal expertise (your degree, hobbies, side projects, lived experience)
5. Practical Preparation Checklist (Small Details That Make a Big Difference)
On the day:
- Dress formally (most attendees are in full suit/tie)
- Bring a folder to keep documents clean (presentation matters)
- Bring 20–30 business cards if possible
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- A small but powerful suggestion: consider a card with your photo (more memorable)
- Bring multiple copies of your resume (and keep them neat)
- Bring a notepad + pen
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- Taking notes looks professional and helps your follow-up email later
Most important:
Research the companies you’re most interested in before the fair.
6. How to Research Companies in Advance (and What to Look For)
For your top 3–5 target companies, research:
- Mission / Vision / Values (MVV)
- What they sell (products/services) and how they make money
- Why they are hiring now—and why they’re hiring JETs
- Culture clues: what kind of person succeeds there?
- How your network could help their overseas goals
- Recent news, initiatives, partnerships, new projects
The difference is dramatic: if you arrive informed, you can quickly move from “company explanation” to “how you can contribute.”
7. Resumes: Where to Focus and How to Stand Out
Two sections matter most for quick screening:
A) Licenses / Qualifications
If the qualification is not common in Japan, add a short explanation in brackets (e.g., what the certificate actually represents). This prevents valuable credentials from being “invisible.”
B) Motivation / Self-PR box
Aim to fill at least ~80% of the space.
A generic PR is okay, but when possible, reference the company or role—even briefly—to show sincerity and fit.
Best practice for your top companies:
Prepare a tailored resume (and ideally a short cover letter) for each.
8. The 2-Minute “Career Fair Pitch” Structure
A simple, repeatable structure that works well:
- Now – who you are today (your current role / background)
- Proof – 1–2 strengths + evidence (results, projects, outcomes, initiative)
- Direction – where you’re going next year + how it connects to their needs
You may not always get to speak first (many booths run one-sided presentations), but when the representative shows interest, having this structure ready helps you communicate clearly and confidently.
9. Follow-Up Emails: The Hidden Weapon
One of the strongest takeaways from the session: Send a follow-up email within 24–48 hours.
Why it matters:
- The day is chaotic for company reps (many conversations and resumes)
- A follow-up makes you stand out immediately
- Re-attaching your resume digitally reduces the chance it gets lost
A strong follow-up email includes:
- The role/area you’re aiming for (clear at the top)
- A quick thank-you + specific reference to something you discussed
- Bullet points of your relevant skills plus what they mean for the company
- A short summary of how you can contribute
- A clear call-to-action (request a short online meeting)
Keep it short. Busy HR teams respond best to clear, skimmable emails.
10. Common Q&A Highlights
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Should you handwrite your resume?
Generally no—typed is clearer, and you’ll also be emailing it digitally afterward.
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Do you need JLPT N1/N2?
Not always. Some companies explicitly accept English-only candidates, and many are internationally minded. Use the career fair listings to check language requirements by role.
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English resume / English cover letter?
It can help—especially because booth representatives are sometimes former JETs—but hiring decisions are usually made using the Japanese resume. If you bring English, treat it as a helpful supplement, not the main document.
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Should native English speakers take/list TOEIC?
Usually not necessary (it was included in the sample with non-native speakers in mind).
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What if your degree doesn’t match the job? / What if you have little work experience?
You can still succeed by translating your background into relevant strengths:
attention to detail, analytical thinking, initiative, projects, community involvement, measurable outcomes, and your “one episode” story that demonstrates value.
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If you speak an additional language besides English/Japanese:
Absolutely include it and mention it in conversation—this is often a major asset for overseas expansion roles.
11. Networking After-Parties (Optional but Valuable)
If you’re attending the fairs, there are networking gatherings after each event. These are great chances to:
- speak with company reps in a more relaxed setting
- meet other JETs/alumni
- gather job-hunting information and build community
Osaka’s event is at Darts Bar Diart from 18:15 on February 14th. – No RSVP necessary.
Tokyo’s event is at TenCups Café Bar & Lounge in Shibuya on February 22nd from 18:30 – 20:30 (RSVP link)
Nisshin Global’s Career Support
At Nisshin Global, our goal is to support your journey by helping you build the skills, confidence, and connections you need to succeed professionally in Japan. Through our Collaborative Leadership Workshops, we’re working directly with managers and teams who are learning how to leverage global talent more effectively—so when we introduce a candidate, the environment is already aligned for your success.
We offer:
- 🔍 Tailored job introductions to Japanese SMEs that welcome foreign talent
- 🧭 Post-hire counseling and support to ensure your smooth integration
- 🤝 Cultural onboarding and long-term career development guidance
Whether you're just starting your job hunt or looking to pivot your career path, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
👉 Interested in our career support?
Simply reach out us using the contact form below!