・Learning Japanese

If you are coming to Japan, or are already here, I bet you are blowing dust off your Japanese textbooks or registering for WaniKani. You might also be planning to attend a Japanese language school to help you pass the JLPT. However, studying Japanese isn’t the most important thing when it comes to landing a good job in Japan. Depending on your job search, there could be specific hard skills beyond language ability that employers are seeking. In addition, the time and money put towards studying Japanese takes time away from building other skills that could help you land your dream job in Japan. Have you ever asked yourself ‘how do I improve my Japanese while gaining new skills?’ ZenGroup makes it easier for our employees to balance their focus on other skills, while achieving their Japanese language goals by offering free Japanese lessons. They can attend Japanese classes after work and manage their study load. We also reimburse test fees to all employees who successfully pass the JLPT, as a token of our appreciation for their hard work.

・Dedicated time at work for certifications

If you are anything like the old me, you might be so focused on studying Japanese that you cannot make the time to learn or brush up on other skills. Spending every day studying Japanese might help you pass the JLPT N2. However, I’m sure you know the saying ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket.’ The reality is, you are not the only foreigner who can speak Japanese. In fact, 56% of test takers passed the JLPT N2 in 2020. To select the best candidates, employers might want to know what other skills you bring to the table. LinkedIn and Google’s E-learning platforms provide digital courses and certificates that can signal to hiring managers that you have knowledge in a specific skill, or at the very least have interest in the specific position you’re applying for. Having certificates can certainly raise the odds of landing a first interview, but finding time to study for them is hard. The environment here at ZenGroup encourages employees to self-study. Whether it be refining skills or learning new ones, they’ll be able to do it on the clock. For example, our ZenMarket team with over 20 digital marketers offers one hour of self-study, allowing them to take digital marketing courses. How would you feel about being paid by your employer to strengthen your skills?

・Stay connected with staff

In Japan, open plan offices are the norm, which can be a little intimidating when you realize there are no cubicles to hide in. However, using this layout in our international office has created more open communication than a country’s free trade agreement. Okay, bad joke. But the point is, our employees are easily approachable and available to talk to if anyone needs help. If someone is away from their desk, we just use Slack, our company messaging app, which keeps ZenGroup staff connected regardless of which floor or team they may be a part of. I’ve come across plenty of team members meeting together at desks for sudden mentor sessions, and others use Slack to schedule formal meetings to learn the latest automation techniques, spreadsheet tips, or even receive feedback on larger tasks. And as a side note, connecting with staff does not have to be so boring. Feel free to share a funny meme every once in a while and loosen up the atmosphere.

・Advice through training sessions

Having an internationally diverse team of 30+ marketing professionals here gives us a unique advantage. Specifically, it provides a range of perspectives on how our employees view and approach their work, leading to numerous innovative ideas. Remember, sharing is caring. If you have any insightful ideas, we encourage you to speak up. We believe that ‘Eureka!’ moments should be shared, which is why we encourage our team members to schedule training sessions when they have breakthroughs. Our marketers also create monthly training sessions and invite all members to contribute their unique insights. These sessions cover a variety of topics, ranging from customer behavior and managing ad campaigns to innovations like ChatGPT and more. So, if you have a great idea, don’t hesitate to share it. We value your contribution as part of our team.

・Zen Library books for self-help

Far too often, bad habits take hold and hinder us to reach our full potential. Regardless of where you are living, or what your occupation is, you should be striving to be a better person than you were yesterday. Working for an employer who supports and challenges you to be better might be what you are missing. We support our team members who strive for self-improvement by offering a library filled with books curated by staff members. The books in our library give valuable insight on topics, such as leadership, communication skills, and logical thinking. Employees do not need a library card to check out books, and all we ask of them is to leave a comment for the next reader once they’re done. In the case that we do not have a book that they’re looking for, they can send us a purchase request and we can get it for them.

・Cultural awareness

When you spot another expat in Japan, have you ever wondered where they’re from, or what their “Japan story” is? While it may not traditionally fit in the general definition of self-help, stepping into a world where cultural boundaries fade and perspectives collide can become the catalyst for self-improvement. Simply because interacting with people from different backgrounds gives you valuable cultural knowledge and competence, which develops into empathy for people around the world. However, finding an international workplace in Japan, especially in Kansai, can be a challenge unless you are working at a Fortune 500 company like Google or Apple. Despite not being a multinational corporation, ZenGroup stands out as one of the most international environments in Kansai. We represent 30 nationalities with members from over 6 continents. This diversity provides our employees with a unique opportunity to learn about other cultures or backgrounds that they may not have experienced in their home countries.

The team here at ZenGroup understands that being an expat in Japan can be very tough, especially when it comes to finding an employer that is right for you. As you navigate your way through this new environment, we encourage you to consider companies that go beyond the standard expectations and strive to create a comfortable and enriching environment for their employees. Japan offers a unique and eye-opening experience for living and working; it’s important to seek out opportunities that help you grow in this culture. We are helping our employees here every step of the way. If you are looking for a company that can support you working in Japan, check out our career website frequently to see what’s open. We wish you all the best on your journey in Japan.