外資系転職時期を見極める!月・キャリア・年代でベストを知ろうDetermining the Right Time to Change Jobs in the Foreign Service! Know the best by month, career, and age!

Is there a good time to change jobs?
If you are going to change jobs, you want to do it when there are many job openings, when your market value is high, etc. You want to choose a time when conditions are favorable. However, it is difficult to know when is the right time to change jobs.

In this article, we will explain the best time to change jobs at a foreign company. We hope you will find it useful.

It is said that the best time to change jobs for a foreign company is from October to December, but just because you miss this period does not mean that you will not be able to change jobs. However, missing this period does not mean you cannot change jobs. Jobs are available year-round, so it is best to change jobs when you want to move.

However, as shown in the table below, there are active and inactive periods in the job market. If you change jobs when there are more job openings, you are more likely to find a job that fits your needs.

Below are some of the characteristics of the activity periods for your reference.

Most foreign-affiliated jobs are from October to December.

It is said that the job market for foreign-capital companies becomes active from October to December. This is because many foreign-capital companies have their fiscal years from January to December, and are actively recruiting new employees to start the new fiscal year.

The number of job openings also tends to increase from January to March. This is because new employment plans are formulated and new projects are launched with the start of the new fiscal year, and new personnel are recruited.

If you are aiming to change jobs at a foreign company, it is a good idea to start taking stock of your career and analyzing the industry around September so that you will not be late to the game.

Job openings also increase in February-March and August-September.

Japanese-affiliated companies have the most job openings in February and March. This is because many Japanese companies begin their fiscal year in April, at which time they make organizational changes and need to hire new employees.
You may think, "If the new fiscal year starts in April, won't new hires make up for it? However, mid-career hires are expected to be ready to work immediately because of the shorter training time.

In addition, there is a tendency for hiring to increase from August to September in preparation for new hires in October, which is the beginning of the second half of the year. Since new graduates are not expected to be hired during this period, mid-career hires are used to supplement the workforce.

June-August is a slow pace for foreign jobs, but there is hiring.

The job market for foreign companies tends to slow down from June to August. This is because hiring managers and decision makers are away for long vacations. Even if the hiring process continues, it may take some time for the hiring manager to return to the office, or it may take some time for the hiring process to be completed due to the time required to receive the decision via e-mail.

Although the number of job openings is on the decline and the movement is quiet, it does not mean that there is no hiring at all. If you are working alone, the slow pace can make you wonder how your progress is going. We recommend that you use a recruitment agent because they will check with the companies each time you are looking for a new job, so you can proceed with your activities with peace of mind.

Also, keep in mind that it will take more time than usual during this period to change jobs.

Job offers from Japanese companies were weak in April-May and December-January.

Japanese companies that hire new graduates in April tend to refrain from mid-career hiring in order to focus on handling new graduate hiring during April and May. Also, if you are looking for a new job while still employed, the new fiscal year has just started and you are busy, so it is a difficult time to find enough time for your job search.
Many companies refrain from mid-career hiring during the months of December and January because of the year-end and New Year vacations, and the number of job openings declines.

Job opportunities are available year-round, so you can change jobs at any time. However, depending on the environment surrounding you, there are cases when it is not the right time to change jobs.

The following five situations are important to keep in mind when it is the right time to change jobs:

• When you are working on a project
• When you are about to receive a promotion or salary increase
• When you are studying for a certification
• When you are about to get married or have a baby
• When you are considering the purchase of a house

Let's look at them one by one.

If you are involved in a project

If you are involved in an ongoing project, the key point is whether or not the project will affect your achievements. If you have managed a team as a project manager, you can show off your achievements, and if you have handled a huge amount of data, the number of data you have handled will be a point of appeal.
It is not a problem to change jobs during a project. It is better to change jobs after the project is completed, because the project is your achievement and you can use it in your next job as a point of appeal.

If you are about to receive a promotion or salary increase

If you are involved in an ongoing project, the key point is whether or not the project will affect your achievements. If you have managed a team as a project manager, you can show off your achievements, and if you have handled a huge amount of data, the number of data you have handled will be a point of appeal.
It is not a problem to change jobs during a project. It is better to change jobs after the project is completed, because the project is your achievement and you can use it in your next job as a point of appeal.

If you are studying for a certification

If you are in the process of studying for a certification, you may find that your job change will go more smoothly if you first obtain the certification. This is because having a certification proves that you have acquired that knowledge, which is an advantage when changing jobs to a foreign company that is looking for immediate employment. It is a good idea to acquire qualifications such as the USCPA or the International Secretarial Examination depending on the company you wish to work for.

For more information on qualifications that are advantageous for foreign-capitalized companies, please refer to “Six qualifications that are advantageous for changing jobs at a foreign company! Essential Skills and How to Get a Job!”

If you are about to get married or have a baby

If you have life plans such as marriage or childbirth, you must be careful about the timing of your job change. Since it is difficult to take leave immediately after joining a company, if you are planning a wedding or honeymoon, you need to consider the timing of your job change or negotiate during the job search process.

In addition, if your new employer has a labor-management agreement, you must have been with the company for at least one year in order to take childcare leave. Therefore, if you change jobs several months before the birth of your child, you may not be able to take childcare leave.

If you are considering purchasing a home

Be careful about changing jobs if you are considering buying a home. This is because in many cases, changing jobs is disadvantageous when it comes to obtaining a mortgage loan.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "2022 Survey of Private-sector Mortgage Loans," 93.2% of the approximately 1,000 financial institutions nationwide consider length of employment as an examination criterion. If you have just changed jobs, you may not be screened, so if you plan to take out a mortgage loan, you should change jobs after taking out the loan. Also note that once you fail a mortgage loan application at a bank, you will be left with a record of your failure, which will reduce your chances of being approved at another bank as well.

Age is not a major consideration when changing jobs in foreign companies, which seek immediate results. This is because the skills, achievements, and experience required for each position are considered important. However, as you get older, the positions available become more competitive, and the skills, experience, and accomplishments required will inevitably become more advanced.

To increase the success rate of your job search, it is a good idea to check what skills, achievements, and experience are required before applying for a position. The following is a list of what is required for each age group.

Key points for changing jobs in your 20s

• Skills and achievements are the key to success
• Early 20s can change jobs in inexperienced positions such as sales and clerical work
  In your late 20s
• Management experience and leadership skills are advantageous.

Foreign-affiliated companies place more importance on skills and achievements than on age. Therefore, it is important to be able to appeal your skills and achievements in the position you are applying for. If you don't have anything to show off, one option is to develop your skills and accomplishments at your current job before changing jobs.

However, in one's early 20s, there are many sales and clerical positions that do not require deep expertise, and the barriers to employment are relatively low, even for those with no experience.

In your late 20s, there are an increasing number of management-related jobs, so experience in management and leadership, such as "managing numbers" and "training subordinates," will be advantageous.

Key Points for Changing Jobs in Your 30s

• Management skills to manage a team or department are an advantage

When you look at job openings at foreign-capital companies for people in their 30s, you may be surprised at the number of managerial and administrative positions available. In addition to being able to work quickly, foreign-capital companies are looking for people in their 30s with the management skills to manage a team or department. Management experience is highly sought after in the job market and will give you an edge in your job search. People with specialized skills and knowledge are also welcomed for their ability to make an immediate impact.

If you do not have management experience, a proven track record, or specialized skills and knowledge, your job search may take longer. We recommend that you consider changing jobs after gaining experience.

Key points for changing jobs in your 40s

• Appealing to the immediate needs of the company
• Management skills are essential for managerial positions.

Foreign-affiliated companies expect job seekers in their 40s to have the skills to be immediately effective in managerial positions, such as manager or director. Therefore, if you are aiming to change jobs at a foreign-capital company, management skills are essential.

In addition, there are many high-class positions available for this age group, and these positions are currently not open to the public. It is important to use multiple recruitment agencies to ensure that you do not miss out on any positions that are suitable for you.

Key Points for Job Hunting in Your 50s

• Long-term job search
• Careful self-analysis and company research

The job market for post-50 job seekers at foreign-affiliated companies is relatively close to management, with fewer job openings, and you will also have to compete with people in their 40s for positions. Therefore, it is important to be persistent in your search for a company and to be committed to a long-term approach.

The key to a successful career change is a strong track record, careful self-analysis, and an understanding of the company's hiring needs. By using a recruitment agent to conduct self-analysis and company research, you can better understand the role that the company you are applying to is looking for and clarify the points that appeal to you.

Also, register with multiple recruitment agents and apply for private positions that each company has available.

You may be wondering whether you should change jobs while you are still working or after you retire, when you can move around without worrying about the time it takes. How long does it take to change jobs? Here we explain the timetable for job change activities and the advantages and disadvantages.

Typical schedule for job change activities

Generally, it is said that it takes 3 to 6 months to change jobs.
The shortest schedule is as follows.

1. One month to prepare for your new job, gather information, narrow down the companies you want to apply to, and prepare documents.
2. 1 month for applying and interviewing
3. 1 month for making a job offer, resigning, and taking over the job.

In reality, if you are working, it will take time to take over your job, and you will need more time to use up your paid vacation days. Please be sure to start your job search with this time frame in mind.

Advantages of Conducting Your Job Search While You Are Still Employed

If you conduct your job search while you are still employed, you will have the advantage of not having a blank period in your career and having more time to spare.

If you change jobs after resigning, you will have a blank period, and you may be asked "Why did you resign from the company? What did you do while you were away from your job? You must be careful not to answer negatively. You must be careful not to answer in a negative way. If you are still employed, you can respond positively to questions about why you changed jobs, such as, "To advance my career.

Also, if you change jobs while you are still employed, you can search for your next job without being rushed because your income will not be interrupted.

Disadvantages of changing jobs while you are still employed

The disadvantage of changing jobs while you are still employed is the time adjustment.

Interviews with companies to which you are applying are often held on weekdays, so it is difficult to coordinate your schedule with the work you are doing. Even if you are able to adjust your schedule, you may have to arrive late for the interview or cancel it due to sudden overtime work or other problems.

Even if you have to work, canceling or being late for an interview can give a bad impression to the company you are applying to. If you are going to cancel or be late, let them know immediately.

Advantages of Job Hunting after Resignation

The advantage of job hunting after resigning is that you can concentrate on your job search.

Since you have more free time after retirement, it is easier to schedule interviews with companies to which you are applying, and you have more time to prepare for each company individually. Also, if you are considering a career change, you can work on acquiring relevant qualifications.

Disadvantages of Job Hunting after Retirement

The disadvantage of changing jobs after retirement is the primary loss of income.

Until you find another job, there is no income coming in, and the longer this period is, the more mentally anxious you will become. Generally, it takes 3 to 6 months to change jobs. At the very least, you should set aside "three months' worth of living expenses plus α (job change activity expenses and spare money)" before you leave your job.

Unlike at Japanese companies, changing jobs at a foreign company requires an English resume and an English interview. Here we will explain how to prepare your resume and interview in English.

Preparing an English Resume

An English resume is not a translation of your Japanese resume. There is no set format like a Japanese resume, and first-time writers may struggle with it.

In general, the following three formats can be utilized for writing.

• Reverse chronological order" in which you write your work history in chronological order of newest position.
• The "career format," which is written by job title
• Mixed style" which is a combination of both.

Unlike a Japanese resume, you do not need to write your gender or age. The basic format is to write your name, contact information, desired job title, work history, educational background, and qualifications.

Because there is no set format, depending on how you write, it can give the reader a completely different impression. For example, it is effective to use Action Verb in your resume. As with a Japanese resume, misspellings and omissions can give a negative impression to the reader. If you are not familiar with writing, or if your resume does not pass the screening process, it is a good idea to have a native English speaker or a foreign-capital recruiting agent check your expressions.

English Interview Preparation

If the interviewer is a foreigner, the interview will almost always be conducted in English, and even if the interviewer is Japanese, English may be exchanged during the interview to test your English ability.
Therefore, when applying for a job at a foreign company, you should be prepared for an interview in English at any time.

The key points to remember when interviewing in English are to be confident, not to ask or answer off-target questions, and to focus on the content of the interview rather than the English. If you are not used to interviewing in English, it is easy to be intimidated, but look the person in the eye and answer in a confident manner. On rare occasions, you may be asked to shake hands. This is not a common practice in Japan, so it is easy to lightly shake hands, but make sure to do so firmly.

If you do not understand a question in English, or if you do not understand the intent of the question, do not try to answer in an offhand manner, but ask again honestly. Off-the-mark answers will make you appear to be unable to communicate.

Focusing too much on the English conversation may dilute the content. Organize what you want to say to the interviewer in English beforehand and practice it over and over again so that it comes out naturally.

A recruitment agency with a foreign-capital affiliate will have the know-how to help you with English interviews. It is a good idea to use a gaishikei recruitment agency to get advice and practice for your interview.

For more information on interviewing in English, please refer to "20 Common Interview Questions in English with Japanese Translation! " for more information.

You do not need to worry about the month, as jobs in foreign companies are available all year round. You should determine the best time to change jobs based on your career, life plan, age, and other factors. If it is difficult to determine the right time, it is effective to consult with an agent who has expertise in changing jobs. With the right support, you will be able to move forward with your job search with confidence.

Also, when changing jobs while you are still employed, time is limited and you are often too busy to focus on your job search alone. In such cases, a recruitment agent can help you gather information, adjust your schedule, check your resume in English, and prepare for interviews in English. 

Each agency will have a different selection of private jobs, so it is a good idea to register with more than one agency.