外資系転職は女性にきつい?自分に合う企業に出会うポイントをご紹介Is it tough for women to change jobs in foreign companies? Find out what it takes to find the right company for you.

The high salary of foreign-affiliated companies is attractive, but it seems too hard for women.

Many women may be hesitant to change jobs at foreign-affiliated companies because they feel that the high salary is attractive, but it may be too hard for women to make a career change.

In fact, foreign-affiliated firms are a good place for women to work. In this article, we will introduce the reasons why foreign-affiliated companies are recommended for women, as well as the key to finding a foreign-affiliated company that suits you. We hope you will find it useful!

Foreign-affiliated companies are said to be hard for women because of the following three images.

• They are performance-based
• Because it is hard work
• High level of English proficiency is required.

Let's look at them one by one.

It's a performance-based system.

Most foreign-affiliated companies are results-oriented. Therefore, one of the factors that make it feel tight is the pressure to “always produce results.

Employees who fail to produce results are treated harshly, with lower evaluations, no bonuses, and delayed promotions. Worst of all, they may even be fired. For women, the need to constantly demonstrate high performance in order to produce results can be a hardship.

However, if the position allows you to utilize your strengths and skills, you can work in a rewarding way despite the pressure. If you work for a foreign company where both men and women are evaluated fairly and without distinction, you will be able to work with high motivation. Also, depending on the type of job and position, not all jobs require a high level of pressure.

Before changing jobs, it is important to take stock of your skills and strengths and determine whether they are a good fit for the position you are applying for. A recruitment agent can provide you with detailed information about the company, so it is a good idea to consult with them.

It's hard work.

Foreign-affiliated companies have an image of being tough on women because of their long working hours and hard work.

Some foreign-affiliated companies may require overtime until late at night in order to respond quickly when a project starts. It is also not unusual to work late at night or early in the morning because meetings with overseas offices are held on overseas time. This type of work style is the reason why women find it tough.

However, not all foreign-affiliated companies work this way. You can generally manage your own work and adjust your working hours. Some companies have introduced remote work. In terms of industry, foreign investment banks and consulting firms tend to be hard-working with a lot of late-night overtime, while foreign IT firms tend to be white. European companies also tend to be looser than their American counterparts, as they place more emphasis on work-life balance.

The degree of hard work at foreign-affiliated companies varies depending on the company, so it is important to research the industry and the company when considering changing jobs. Using a recruitment agent will give you a good idea of this.

I need a high level of English proficiency.

There are women who understand that English is necessary when they join a foreign company, but find their work to be demanding when it is more than they imagined.

It is true that some women struggle with English: they cannot keep up with English meetings, their stomachs hurt on days when they are in charge of English presentations, and their work efficiency drops because of the slow English they write in documents and e-mails. In addition, some companies force you to take the TOEIC exam once a year and penalize you if you score below 900.

This can happen when there is a mismatch between the English proficiency required by the company for the position and your English proficiency. Depending on the industry and type of job, there are positions that do not require English proficiency, even if the position is foreign-affiliated, and the English proficiency required may vary depending on the position.

≪English language proficiency required by industry ≫.

If you are not confident in your English, you should first select an industry or position that does not require much English. If you are not sure what level of English proficiency is actually required for the position you are looking for, a recruitment agent will be able to provide you with first-hand feedback. We encourage you to take advantage of this service.

Please read the article below for more information on how much English proficiency is required for positions at foreign companies.

“What English Proficiency is Required for a Foreign Company? Thorough explanation of industry level and practical matters”

In many cases, foreign-affiliated companies are good places for women to work. There are three reasons for this.

• They understand childbirth and child rearing
• Gender and status are not a concern.
• They offer positions regardless of gender, depending on one's ability.

We will explain them one by one.

Understanding of childbirth and child rearing

Foreign-affiliated companies are more responsive to life events and provide an environment in which maternity and childcare leave can be taken easily.

Japanese-affiliated companies also have maternity and childcare leave systems, but in some cases, it is difficult to take maternity and childcare leave, or after returning to work, employees are transferred to a department where the workload is relatively light and they are removed from the career track. On the other hand, foreign-affiliated companies offer job-based employment, so employees can continue to work in the same position after returning to work.

According to a survey conducted by Robert Walters Japan K.K., 72% of foreign-affiliated companies and 66% of Japanese-affiliated companies have taken childcare leave, indicating that foreign-affiliated companies have better rates of taking leave.

Survey period: January 21-27, 2022, February 17-24, 2022, Target: n=855 female company employees working in Japan registered with Robert Walters Japan K.K.
Reference: Robert Walters Japan K.K., “Female employees who continued working after pregnancy and took childcare leave: foreign-affiliated: 72%, Japanese-affiliated: 66%”.

Many foreign-affiliated companies offer benefits that emphasize work-life balance, and many of them have introduced remote work, flextime, and shorter working hours. Making good use of these can make it easier to drop off and pick up children at daycare or accommodate sudden changes in children's health.

I don't care about gender or status.

In performance-based foreign companies, those who produce the expected results are evaluated and receive higher salaries. They are evaluated fairly regardless of age, gender, child-rearing status, and so on.

When changing jobs, recruitment is also based on “how well you can perform the duties of the position for which you are applying. There is no distinction made as to age or gender. Annual salary is also determined based on the annual salary for the position being advertised, taking into consideration the skills and experience possessed by the individual.

Foreign-affiliated companies are severe, and there is no leniency because you are a woman or because you are raising a child.

Gender-neutral positions depending on ability.

Foreign-affiliated companies tend to have a higher percentage of female managers than Japanese-affiliated companies.

In foreign-affiliated companies, which are meritocratic to begin with, there is no concept of “because I am a man” or “because I am a woman,” and people with the skills and experience required for management positions are appointed to management positions. As a result, there are more female managers than in Japanese-affiliated companies.

With equal career advancement opportunities for men and women, foreign-capital companies are recommended workplaces for women.

Women who are particularly suited to work for a foreign company are those who

• Women who can take action and produce results on their own
• Women who want to develop their careers over the long term
• Women who want to emphasize work-life balance

We will explain them one by one.

Women who can take action and achieve results on their own.

In order to be recognized in a performance-based foreign company, you must constantly produce results. To achieve this, you need to think about how you can achieve your goals on a daily basis and do it.

If you are lazy in your work, you will not be recognized by those around you. Women who are always ambitious and can think and act on their own to achieve results are suited to work for foreign-affiliated companies.

Women who want to develop their careers over the long term

For women who want to work long-term while advancing their careers, foreign-affiliated companies are recommended.

At Japanese-affiliated companies, which employ their employees on a membership basis, once a woman leaves the workplace due to childbirth or childcare, she may be transferred to a different department with a lighter workload upon her return, and thus may not be able to advance in her career. However, in foreign-affiliated companies that offer job-based employment, employees can return to the same position after leaving the workplace due to childbirth or childcare, and their careers will not be interrupted.

In addition, foreign-affiliated companies tend to have more female managers than Japanese-affiliated companies.

Women who want to emphasize work-life balance

Foreign-affiliated companies are relatively free in the way they work as long as they produce results. Many companies have a flextime system or a remote system, and they also have a good understanding of child-rearing, making them suitable for women who want to maintain a good work-life balance.

However, each foreign-affiliated company has different systems and utilization rates for these systems. It is advisable to check with a recruitment agent for specific information.

Please read the following article for more information on who is suited to work for a foreign-affiliated company.
What are the characteristics of people who are suited and unsuited for a foreign company and how to change jobs?

Foreign-affiliated companies may have different corporate culture and corporate culture depending on “where the company is located”. The key points to find a foreign company that suits you are as follows.

• If you are a career woman, choose an American company.
• If you are looking for a good work-life balance, choose a European company.
• Pay attention to the vacation system and benefits package.

American companies if you want to be a career woman

American companies value vacation time, but they tend to be meritocratic and performance-based, and although they offer a good work-life balance, if you do not produce results, you may be judged harshly.

The corporate culture is suited to career-minded women who want to work hard and advance their positions.

European companies if work-life balance is important to you.

Although there are some cultural differences between countries, European companies generally tend to emphasize family and private life. Women who want to have a good work-life balance should choose a European company.

However, regarding the company culture, there may be a difference between what is described on the company website or in the recruiting information and what the actual employees feel. It is a good idea to ask a recruitment agent to confirm this for you so that you can get more accurate information.

Vacation Programs & Benefits

Vacation programs and benefits can also affect the ease of working.

Whether the company offers child care leave to take off when a child has a fever, allows remote work, or has a flex system, the ease of working can vary considerably.

Check to see if the company has the systems you need. There are also benefits that are not listed on the company website alone. It is a good idea to check with a recruitment agent.

Foreign-affiliated companies are open to workers of all ages and genders, and here we introduce some of the jobs and industries that are particularly popular among women.

Back office

Back-office positions such as human resources, general affairs, and accounting are positions in which women can easily play an active role. The pressure to achieve results is not very high, and it is important to be able to fulfill the required responsibilities.

The level of English proficiency required is not as high as other positions, so this position is suitable for women who are not confident in their English but want to work for a foreign company. In addition, since there is relatively little direct interaction with clients, the hours are flexible and the position is easy to balance with family and childcare.

Middle Office

Middle office positions, such as marketing, are also suitable for women who want to balance work with family and child rearing, and many foreign companies have introduced remote work, as many jobs can be done anywhere and anytime as long as a PC is available.

This position requires good communication skills as it serves as a link between the front office and the back office. English language skills are also necessary as the position involves communication with overseas branches.

Insurance Industry

Insurance sales for foreign-affiliated companies is a good position for women. In general, women are good at talking and caring, and many companies find them suitable for handling insurance that is related to people's life plans.

Some companies employ telecommuting, where they work directly from home to meet with clients and return directly to their homes. This is a job suited to women raising children, as it allows for a flexible work style, such as not meeting with clients on days when the children have lessons, but instead picking up and dropping off the children.

Insurance sales is a job that can be performed regardless of age, as long as you listen carefully to your customers, understand their needs, and propose the most suitable insurance products. Many companies accept applicants with no experience, and there are new career paths open for women whose careers were once interrupted by childbirth or child rearing.

Pharmaceutical Industry

MRs (Medical Representatives) at foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical companies are so-called sales representatives specializing in pharmaceuticals who provide medical professionals with information on the efficacy and safety of the company's products in order to have them adopted in the field.

Although MRs require specialized knowledge of pharmaceuticals and other products and are evaluated based on numbers, as they acquire knowledge and skills, they are entrusted with large tasks and find them rewarding. Regardless of your age, you can work on the front lines forever, and if the company employs a commission system, you can earn a high income depending on how hard you work.

The type of job and industry that matches your experience and skills will vary. A recruitment agent can introduce you to positions and industries that suit you based on their wealth of experience, so it is a good idea to consult with them.

Many foreign-affiliated companies have introduced flexible work schedules and remote working systems, which allow for flexible work styles and provide opportunities for advancement based on ability, regardless of age or gender, making them a good choice for women.

However, if you find yourself in a workplace where you cannot utilize your skills and abilities, you may feel pressured and tight. The key to success in a foreign-affiliated company is to find a workplace where you can utilize your skills and abilities.

It is difficult to know whether you match the characteristics of a foreign company by yourself. If this is the case, please try using a recruitment agency that specializes in working with foreign-affiliated companies. Not only will they introduce you to the right foreign company, they will also help you analyze the company and yourself, and help you prepare for interviews in English.