外資系企業への転職は学歴が必須?学歴ナシが知っておきたいポイントIs education required to change jobs at a foreign company? What do non-academic backgrounds need to know?

Many people are thinking about changing jobs at a foreign company but are concerned about their educational background. However, in recent years, foreign-affiliated companies are increasingly emphasizing work experience and skills rather than academic background.

In this article, we will explain in detail the non-academic characteristics that foreign-capitalized companies look for and how to change jobs if you are not confident about the university you graduated from. If you want to make your job search go smoothly, please refer to this article.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

In recent years, mid-career recruitment in foreign-affiliated companies has increasingly focused on work experience and skills rather than academic background. In particular, foreign-affiliated firms have adopted a results-oriented approach, placing emphasis on performance and concrete results.

For this reason, foreign-capital companies highly value personnel with abundant practical experience and a high level of immediate strategy.

Therefore, when changing jobs through mid-career recruitment, it is important to emphasize your achievements and skills without focusing on your educational background. By effectively demonstrating your value to the company, you will be able to seize new opportunities in your career.

So, what exactly is a highly effective candidate? Let's take a closer look below.

Personnel with experience in the same industry or occupation

Those with experience in the same industry or occupation can make use of the techniques and skills they have cultivated.
It is especially smooth to move to a company that uses the same systems and technologies as your previous job.

Human resources with knowledge and experience in handling the company's products

Foreign companies give preferential treatment to candidates with knowledge of and experience handling their own products.
Have experience working with the company's products as a distributor or engineer

Talented people who have connections in the same industry

Talented people who have connections with the industry they work in are valued because they are familiar with the industry's specific needs and processes.
Candidates with strong connections to the industries in which they previously worked are expected to be immediately effective.
 

People with such experience and connections should be proactive in their job search, regardless of their educational background.

On the other hand, there are some foreign-affiliated companies that are more likely to be influenced by academic background.

The types of foreign-affiliated firms where academic background is likely to have an impact are as follows

• Consulting
• Finance

The reasons for each are explained below.

Consulting

Consulting firms are generally companies that gather experts who can take charge of everything from system design to organizational transformation.

Famous foreign consulting firms in Japan include McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Accenture.

Because these foreign consulting firms require a high level of analytical skills and strategic thinking, they tend to hire people who have graduated from prestigious universities. This is because theoretical knowledge and thinking acquired through education at prestigious universities are considered highly valuable in practice.

In addition, the educational background of an employee is often an important factor in gaining the trust of the client company. Some foreign consulting firms hire highly educated people because they are aware of the importance that some of their clients place on academic background.

Finance

Financial companies include securities companies, investment banks, insurance companies, and many other fields. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank are well-known foreign financial firms in Japan.

These foreign financial firms also tend to emphasize academic background. Especially in the fields of investment banking and securities firms, many highly educated people are active. This is because specialized university education is directly useful for these jobs, which require advanced mathematical skills and economic theory.

In addition, networking is important in the financial industry, and connections made while attending prestigious universities are thought to have a significant impact on career development.

On the other hand, insurance companies are generally considered to be different even within the same financial industry, as they employ people from a variety of fields, regardless of their educational background.

The following are non-academic characteristics that foreign companies look for

• Extensive work experience
• Language skills
• Flexibility with foreign cultures and communication
• Adaptability to a meritocratic political environment
• Willingness to tackle even difficult projects.

The following is an explanation of each of these characteristics.

Extensive work experience

Foreign-affiliated firms require personnel who can work immediately. Therefore, abundant work experience in related fields is a big advantage.

The skills and knowledge gained through practical experience are practical strengths that cannot be compensated for by theoretical knowledge alone.

In addition, past successes and problem-solving experience are viewed as valuable assets to the company. Therefore, people who can contribute to the immediate execution of a project or improve operational efficiency are highly valued.

Language Skills

Foreign companies operate in a global business environment, so language skills are extremely important. In fact, in a survey conducted by Tohoku University's Institute for Advanced Study and Student Support to foreign-affiliated companies, “What knowledge and abilities do you think are important for employees in global business? The survey asked foreign-affiliated companies, “What knowledge and abilities do you think are important for employees in global business?

English, in particular, is essential as a common language for business, but being able to speak other languages is also a major advantage.

Being fluent in multiple languages allows you to communicate smoothly with clients and colleagues from different countries and cultures, facilitating cooperation on international projects.

Language proficiency is also proof of cross-cultural understanding and adaptability, which are important qualities in a foreign company where flexibility is required.

Flexibility in dealing with foreign cultures and communication

Foreign-affiliated companies require the ability to respect and flexibly adapt to different cultures and values. This is because it is important to understand and adapt to cultural differences and diversity in communication styles in order to work in a global environment. In fact, a survey conducted by Tohoku University's Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences on foreign-affiliated companies asked, “What knowledge and abilities do you think are important for employees in global business? The highest response was “acceptance of diversity” at 10.6%.

Flexibility to deal with unfamiliar environments also enables employees to build smooth relationships with overseas colleagues and clients, and to handle international projects smoothly.

Adaptability to a meritocratic political world

Foreign-affiliated companies are based on a performance-based system. Because individual abilities and achievements are directly reflected in evaluations, you must be able to adapt to a meritocratic environment and demonstrate your abilities to the fullest.

Therefore, the desire to achieve goals and the ability to self-manage are important, and career advancement is expected through the achievement of results. To adapt to this environment, you must be self-directed and have a responsible attitude toward your work.

Favorable approach to even the most difficult projects

A favorable attitude toward difficult projects and a spirit of challenge are also important factors. This is because foreign companies highly value a positive attitude toward difficult projects and tasks.

If you have a positive attitude to deal with difficult situations and solve problems, you will be able to work for a foreign company for a long time.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of working for a foreign-affiliated company.

Advantages of Working for a Foreign Company

There are many advantages to working for a foreign-affiliated company. First, there is the excellent salary and benefits package. Because foreign-affiliated companies have a global compensation system, you can expect a higher salary level compared to domestic companies. In addition, they offer excellent benefits such as medical insurance, retirement benefits, and parental leave, making them a great place to work.

Second, there are abundant opportunities for career advancement. Because foreign-affiliated companies adopt a meritocracy, you can expect to receive promotions and salary increases if you achieve results. In addition, there are many opportunities to work overseas, allowing you to broaden your international perspective. This allows you to acquire global business skills and broaden your career horizons. In fact, Mercer research shows that foreign-affiliated firms promote about seven years faster than Japanese-affiliated firms.

Another attractive aspect is a corporate culture that values diversity. Foreign-affiliated companies actively recruit people from different backgrounds and provide an environment that respects diversity. This allows for a flexible work style that incorporates different perspectives and ideas, and encourages creativity and innovation.

In addition, there are many opportunities to be exposed to the latest technology and knowledge, which is also an advantage. Foreign-affiliated companies are proactive in adopting cutting-edge technology and marketing trends, and provide opportunities for employees to constantly learn the latest information and skills. This allows you to constantly update your skills and increase your market value.

While there are many advantages to working for a foreign-affiliated company, it is also important to be aware of the disadvantages so that you can make a fair decision.

Disadvantages of Working for a Foreign Company

While there are many advantages to working for a foreign company, there are also disadvantages.

First, there is a strong performance-based culture. Because evaluations are based on performance, some people often feel a lot of pressure to perform. Therefore, high performance is required at all times.

Next, English proficiency is required. English is often used as a common language in foreign-affiliated companies, so English proficiency is necessary for daily work, meetings, and report writing. If you are not confident in your English, you may have difficulty communicating. Also, some companies require specialized business terminology and the ability to use business English, which can be burdensome.

Another disadvantage is that working hours tend to be long. In some foreign-affiliated companies, long working hours are the norm in order to achieve results, which tends to disrupt the work-life balance. Especially when project deadlines are close or when you need to collaborate with overseas teams, you may have to work late at night or early in the morning due to the time difference.

In addition, some companies may have highly fluctuating organizations. For example, foreign-affiliated companies tend to reorganize and reduce their workforce in order to respond quickly to market changes. This can be a cause for concern for those who desire stable employment.

It is important to understand these advantages and disadvantages before making a choice that fits your career plan.

If you are not sure if working for a foreign company is right for you, you may consult with a recruitment agent who specializes in foreign-affiliated companies.

If you are not confident about your university of origin, we recommend the following methods

• Use a recruitment agent
• Raise your English leve
• Obtaining qualifications

Each method is explained below.

Using a recruitment agent

Using a recruitment agent is an effective way to change jobs at a foreign company.

For example, recruitment agents have knowledge and networks in the industry and can introduce you to positions that match your strengths and aptitudes.

They can also help with resume and CV writing, interview preparation, and other support services, allowing you to move into your new job with confidence.

United World, which specializes in recruiting for foreign-affiliated companies, also has a large industry network and a large number of private job listings, so you can make the most of these resources to advance your job search.

Improve your English skills

English is an important communication tool for foreign-capitalized companies, so it is essential to improve your English skills. Therefore, acquiring English language certifications such as TOEIC and TOEFL will help you prove your language skills.

Another effective way to increase your opportunities to use English on a daily basis is to use an English conversation school or online English conversation service. This will enable you to use English confidently in your work. With English proficiency, you will be able to communicate more proactively in business situations and at work, and your range of activities will expand dramatically.

Obtaining Qualifications

By acquiring professional qualifications, you can prove your skills regardless of the university you attended. For example, CPA or CFA in accounting or finance, or PMP or CISSP in IT are popular certifications.

These certifications not only demonstrate your practical skills, but also your willingness to continue learning. Please refer to the following section to learn more about what qualifications are best for foreign companies.

By combining these methods, you can succeed in finding a job at a foreign company even if you are not confident about the university you attended. Make the most of your strengths and open up a new career.

Qualifications can be helpful in finding a new job with a foreign company. Specific qualifications vary depending on the type of job, but the following six qualifications are particularly advantageous for changing jobs at foreign-affiliated firms.

• MBA (Master of Business Administration)
• USCPA (U.S. Certified Public Accountant)
• Nissho Bookkeeping Certification
• International Secretarial Examination
• United Nations English Proficiency Test
• Professional Engineer

By acquiring these certifications, you can prove your knowledge and ability and gain an advantage when changing jobs at a foreign-affiliated company.

For more information on each of these qualifications, please refer to “6 Qualifications that are advantageous for changing jobs at a foreign company! Essential Skills and How to Get a Job” for a detailed explanation of each qualification. If you are interested, please take a look at this page as well.

The 6 most advantageous qualifications for a career change at a foreign company! Essential skills and how to change jobs.

When changing jobs at a foreign company, work experience and skills tend to be more important than academic background. In particular, experience in the same industry or occupation, knowledge of the company's products, and industry connections are valued for their ability to make an immediate impact.

In addition to academic background, foreign-affiliated companies also look for a wealth of work experience, language skills, and flexible communication skills. Because these skills are required by many foreign-affiliated companies, you may be concerned about them.

However, even if you are not confident about the university you graduated from, you can use a recruitment agent to help you effectively change jobs. For example, United World offers excellent support for changing jobs at foreign-affiliated companies, and will help you realize your ideal career by drawing out your strengths.

Based on the above points, you can maximize the appeal of your abilities and skills and build a new career at a foreign-affiliated company.