Professional Development From Chiba to Career

By Zachary Krause

TimelineJanuary－April

Update Resume, etc.

Research possible opportunities

Start application process, speaking with recruiters, applying to positions

April－July

Applications!

Interviews

Activity: What do you wanna be when you grow up?

Goal: What do you want to do after Chiba?

Activity:I. What are your skills and interests?

II. What aspects do you enjoy about your job now?

III. What skills do you want to build?

In small groups (3-4 people), discuss your list and what types of work might match your list.

At home, take some time to look into the responsibilities of different positions. Looking at a wide variety of positions and deciding what matches and what doesn’t may help you in determining what exactly you would like to do.

Helpful DO NOTS

Resume vs CV1. What is a Resume and What is it Used For?

A short document (1 -2 pages) that you use to give future employers a brief overview of your work history.

The term resume or “résumé” is a French word that means “to sum up.”And that’s what you use a resume for - to sum up your job-related accomplishments and experience.

2. What is a Curriculum Vitae or CV?

A Curriculum Vitae is a record of your academic and professional achievements. Latin for “course of life,” a CV is often a longer document that goes into more detail

Often used to apply for an academic job, research position, grant, or scholarship. The length of a CV is often subject to the applicant’s experience.

3. CV vs Resume - What is the Difference?

In the United States, the main difference between a CV and a resume is the purpose of the documents. Outside the U.S. a CV usually refers to a U.S. style resume.

You will use a resume when you apply for most jobs. You will likely use a CV if you want to apply for academic or research positions.

Other differences include length, layout, and the information included.

https://uptowork.com/blog/cv-vs-resume-difference

Resume & CV WritingResume/履歴書

Look at your resume through the eyes of your employer

In most cases, your potential employer knows nothing about you besides what you write on the resume. The goal is to illustrate your value and skills!

Your resume is the first “foot in the door” write it as such

The internet has allowed companies to view more applicants. Providing every possible applicant and interview isn’t possible. Often the number of possible employees is narrowed down based on the resume alone.

CV/職務経歴書:

Illustrate your path in life, what skills and knowledge have you accumulated?

Why this job? Why now?

Be concise!

Things to IncludeHere is an easy checklist of what to include on an American Resume:

Contact Information

Work History / Experience

Education

Skills

A Resume Summary or Objective (Optional)

Hobbies and Interests (Optional)

Your CV can include everything that you’ve doneto date. And that is a lot of material if you’vebeen in the game for a long time. CVs don’t havea length limit. You may also need to includespecific information.Here is a list of 20 potential things you can include on a CV:1. Contact Information + Brief Biography2. Areas of Academic Interest3. Education + Qualifications 4. Employment History + Achievements and Responsibilities5. Professional Development Courses + Training6. Teaching Experience7. Research Experience + Lab Experience8. Graduate Fieldwork9. A List of Skills + Technical, Computer, and Language Skills10. Professional Licenses and Certifications11. Scholarships, Grants, Fellowships, and Assistantships12. Study Abroad and International Experiences13. Descriptions of Theses and Dissertations 14. Bibliography + Publications 15. Presentations, Lectures, and Other Public Speaking Engagements16. Exhibitions17. Awards and Honors18. Memberships19. References20. Hobbies, Interests, and Related Extracurricular Activities

More examples and advice:https://www.financialsamurai.com/examples-of-good-resumes/

More Examples and how to: https://doda.jp/guide/rireki/

You Led a Project1. Chaired2. Controlled3. Coordinated4. Executed5. Headed6. Operated

You Envisioned and Brought to Life a Project13. Administered14. Built15. Charted16. Created17. Designed18. Developed19. Devised20. Founded21. Engineered22. Established

7. Orchestrated8. Organized9. Oversaw10. Planned11. Produced12. Programmed

23. Formalized24. Formed25. Formulated26. Implemented27. Incorporated28. Initiated29. Instituted30. Introduced31. Launched32. Pioneered33. Spearheaded

You Changed or Improved Something62. Centralized63. Clarified64. Converted65. Customized66. Influenced67. Integrated68. Merged69. Modified70. Overhauled71. Redesigned72. Refined73. Refocused74. Rehabilitated

You Managed a Team:88. Aligned89. Cultivated90. Directed91. Enabled92. Facilitated93. Fostered94. Guided

75. Remodeled76. Reorganized77. Replaced78. Restructured79. Revamped80. Revitalized81. Simplified82. Standardized83. Streamlined84. Strengthened85. Updated86. Upgraded87. Transformed

95. Hired96. Inspired97. Mentored98. Mobilized99. Motivated100. Recruited

Activity: Resume Writing

The InterviewStandard Interview Questions1. What can you tell me about yourself?2. Can you list your strengths?3. What weaknesses do you have?4. Why should I consider hiring you?5. Where do you see yourself five years from now?6. Why do you want to work here?7. What is your salary expectation?8. What motivates you?9. What makes a good team player?10. Is there anything that you would like to ask me?

How to succeedResearch the companyPractice!Know your CARs & STARs

Helpful DO NOTS

Other Interview Questions to Prepare for!

“What do you know about our company?”

“Regarding the position that you have applied for, what do you know about it?”

“If you were placed in this position, please tell us about what you would like to achieve.”

“What are your thoughts about your career? What kind of job do you want to have?”

Helpful DO NOTS

CARs & STARsGive examples, not just "I can do X", prove to you can do X.

C.A.R = Context Action Resulthttps://www.bluesteps.com/blog/car-interview-technique-key-to-landing-executive-job.aspx

CAR is brief and to the point – good for most situations.

S.T.A.R = Situation Task Action Resulthttps://www.futurelearn.com/courses/writing-applications/0/steps/5405

S.T.A.R is a very detailed answer – good for applying to more senior positions *You should always try to use STAR over CAR.

Article: WHY CAR/STAR is effectivehttp://blog.staffingadvisors.com/2016/07/07/car-star-interview-method-effective

Context: Working as a receptionist I signpost customers. One day a customer came into the reception very agressive and demanding for X to be sorted out.

Action: Using my customer service training, I managed to calm down the customer and look into his complaint.

Result: I managed to resolve the complaint, and the customer left happy.

CAR

Situation: Working as a receptionist I signpost customers and assist with their queries. One day a customer came into the reception very aggressive and

demanding for X to be sorted out.

Task: As the first point of contact, it is my responsibility to assist with enquiries as efficiently as possible, avoiding escalation where possible.

Action: Using my customer service training, I calmed down the customer and

listened to his complaint. After verifying his details, I looked up his details on the

system and noticed an anomaly which was affecting this customer. After liaising with another colleague, I managed to rectify this problem for the customer.

Result: The customer was very happy the problem was resolved, and left happy.

STAR

Activity: Let’s go for a drive

C.A.R = Context Action Result

S.T.A.R = Situation Task Action Result○○

Work at a fast pace with multiple deadlines

Make changes on the fly

Work well in a team to achieve a common goal

Work in a diverse environment

Make decisions quickly

Set goals and follow through

Handle multiple responsibilities

An interviewer asks you, “For this positions we need someone who can ○○, do you have any experience with that?”

Fill in the blank with one of the suggestions below, or pick a suitable ○○ for a position you would like to apply, then use CAR (or STAR) to prove you are a capable individual worthy of gainful employment.

Context: Working as a receptionist I signpost customers. One day a customer came into the reception very agressive and demanding for X to be sorted out.

Action: Using my customer service training, I managed to calm down the customer and look into his complaint.

Result: I managed to resolve the complaint, and the customer left happy.

Bonus Activity: Sell yourselfElevator Pitch: “Please introduce yourself.”

1. It should be 30 seconds or less.

2. What is your skill (or how you benefit a potential employer)

3. There should be a goal (or ask).

You’re at a workshop and you meet Martha, a senior in college. You ask her what she does and she says…

I’m currently studying education at [insert college]. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to make theconceptual practical and I’m interested in securing an entry-level role at a nonprofit that allows me to teach anddevelop curriculum. Because nonprofit programs and fellowships were a key part of my development, it’s important forme to pay it forward and help student develop to their highest potential.

You’re on the subway and you are sitting next to James. You ask him what he does and he says…

I’m currently working as Human Resources Manager at [insert company]. My supervisors frequently commend mefor being able to weigh and consider multiple perspectives and negotiate conflicting perspectives. I’m looking forsuggestions/advice on how I can further cultivate my expertise in this field because my ultimate aim is to helporganizations develop more ethical and inclusive workplace cultures.

You’re at a personal branding conference and you bump into Katie. You ask her what she does, and she says…

I’m a communications professional with a knack for persuasive storytelling. Considering my colleagues oftencomplemented me for my thoughtful and engaging presentations, I’m looking for insight as to how I can best positionmyself for a role in production or videography at social impact start-up. Because I’m inspired by documentaries, I wantto help companies express their missions in compelling and relatable ways in the age of social media.

“What kind of work is particularly motivating for you?”

“What are your thoughts about your career? What kind of job do you want to have?”

Resources

Michael Pagehttp://www.michaelpage.co.jp/en

LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com

Glass Doorhttps://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm

Gaijin Pot Jobshttps://jobs.gaijinpot.com/

Tokyo Summer Career Forumhttps://careerforum.net/en/event/tks/

Career Crosshttps://www.careercross.com/en

Helpful DO NOTS

More ResourcesJob Hunting Websites

● Daijob● Wantedly● Gaijinpot● Career Forum Network

○ Tokyo Summer Career Forum○ Tokyo Winter Career Forum○ Various other career forums

(Boston, LA, San Francisco, US, Sydney, London, Shanghai, Osaka)

● Indeed● AJET Job Listings (Facebook page)● CareerCross● MyNavi● Find Job● Does● Rikunabi Next● Bizreach● En Tenshoku● Nikkei Career Next● JETwit

● Career Trek● JapanEnglishTeacher● MyShigoto● Interplace● Jobs In Japan● Japan Times Jobs● Temp Staff

Phone Apps

● ジョブクル● キャリトレ

If searching in America

● Glassdoor (useful for finding reviews on companies)

● Local embassies/consulates● Universities (often posted on their

websites; you can apply directly)● JETwit● Interesse International, Inc.● Pasona● Interplace● Monster List by Benjamin Surbrook

*For a full detailed list, please see http://thousandleaveschiba.wordpress.com/

JET Resources

February: After JET Conference/JET Programme Career Fairhttp://jetprogramme.org/en/conferences/

Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Granthttp://jetprogramme.org/en/jlpt/

Japanese Language Courses (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced)

http://jetprogramme.org/en/languagecourses/

Grant for TEFL Certificationhttp://jetprogramme.org/en/tefl/

References:http://www.franchir-japan.co.jp/English_version/microsoft-cv-jis.pdf

http://www.franchir-japan.co.jp/English_version/eigo_JapaneseCV.html

http://www.fluentu.com/japanese/blog/japanese-job-interview-questions-phrases-tips-etiquette/

https://work.gaijinpot.com/interviewing-techniques/japanese-interview/

http://tokyofromtheinside.com/tips-job-interviews-japan-foreigner/

http://idealistcareers.org/a-quick-guide-to-writing-your-elevator-pitch-with-examples/

https://www.bluesteps.com/blog/car-interview-technique-key-to-landing-executive-job.aspx

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/writing-applications/0/steps/5405

http://blog.staffingadvisors.com/2016/07/07/car-star-interview-method-effective

https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/8gb18r/lpt_use_car_or_star_in_job_applications_interviews/

https://uptowork.com/blog/cv-vs-resume-difference