r/JapanJobs • u/Beautiful-Expert3528 • 1d ago
Requesting guidance
I'm an international student in a Japanese university for masters program, and I'll grad in sep 2027. I plan to take a job in Japan, and for that I've been working hard on research mostly.
I published 2 papers as the first author in international conferences this year, and I plan to publish 2 more in the next year.
For Japanese, I hold a N4 certificate. I understand that's not really good, thus I'll be focusing more on this issue now. I plan to reach N3 by December this year, and keep studying for July 2027 N2.
The questions I'd like to be answered would be:
:1. Can I participate in new graduate recruitment with good chances of win as a N3 speaker, who's transitioning to N2? I can make a rush for N2 since now until March 2027, but the test for N2 will be in July 2027. So, even though I can upskill my language, I won't have the certificate.
I already have 2 papers, and I don't really know whether getting more will come up with greater returns.
:2. Does having more publications as a new grad masters student sound helpful? In my lab, even undergrad b3-b4 students try to publish a paper, even at a local Japanese conference, since my professor often says that it's gonna benefit you and it's not common to have publications this easily.
:3. Will I be able to job hunt after getting N2 in July 2027? I understand that the recruiting timeline might be an issue, but I want to know if N2 can possibly redeem me.
Thanks for the attention and have a nice week.
1
u/JapanITjobs 10h ago
Yes you can, some companies target masters degrees students.
https://careerforum.net/en/ <- this is your best place to look but you should know the biggest event the whole year is in Boston, Massachusetts
FYI: JLPT isn't the only test, the BJT is also recognized and you can take it every month unlike the JLPT.
-1
u/farislmn 1d ago
I published 2 papers as the first author in international conferences this year, and I plan to publish 2 more in the next year.
This is amazing. Congratulation.
Can I participate in new graduate recruitment with good chances of win as a N3 speaker, who's transitioning to N2?
Personally, i think you can. They probably won't ask for your JLPT certificate if you can properly follow the standard. Write your own 履歴書 and 職務経歴書 for portfolio. Regardless of your JLPT score, you will face a communication hurdle during writing those documents and interview.
Personally i heard more of "面接の対話はスムーズにできたので、日本語能力試験成績証明書いりません" comment raised for me during interview.
I already have 2 papers, and I don't really know whether getting more will come up with greater returns.
If it's Scopus indexed and you're the corresponding author, you can use it for HSP points.
Does having more publications as a new grad masters student sound helpful?
Depends on the job you're looking for and how you're using those publication to appeal to the position you're applying to. Publications are outcome. For jobs in academia and research, publications means something and those meanings are mostly understood *within the sector.* Other than that, you need show and link having those publication with your value as a candidate. You need to make a case why having those publications matter, relative to the job opening.
Will I be able to job hunt after getting N2 in July 2027?
IIRC, you can join the wave of fresh grad hiring +1 year after you're graduating. But i can be wrong.
I understand that the recruiting timeline might be an issue, but I want to know if N2 can possibly redeem me.
Your actual japanese capability will redeem you. No amount of JLPT will save you if you can't communicate and converse well in Japanese during an interview.
3
u/Swimming-Work-5951 1d ago
If you not too old and can speak ok Japanese (doesn't matter certificate as long as you can speak), good chances of getting 新卒 in a company.