After graduating from high school, Mr. Kim Van Linh came to Japan and later graduated from Japanese language school and vocational school. He obtained a “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” visa and worked as an interpreter and a restaurant job. Both jobs had a lot of overtime work, which made it difficult for him to study to achieve his future dreams.
Mr. Linh, who was facing these troubles, decided to get a “Specified Skilled Worker” visa and change jobs.
Since the “Specified Skilled Worker” visa has a maximum stay period of 5 years, it is common for someone working as a Specified Skilled Worker to switch to an “Engineer /Specialist in Humanities / International Services” visa. However, by choosing the opposite path, he has realised his ideal lifestyle, balancing work, studies and hobbies.
We asked Mr. Linh what merits are there to changing visa type from “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” to “Specified Skilled Worker”.
Are you having any issues with job-hunting in Japan?
Unexpected Merits from Switching to “Specified Skilled Worker” and Changing Jobs
―― Please tell us about your current working style, Mr. Linh.
My status of residence (visa type) is “Specified Skilled Worker (Food Service)”. I cook and serve breakfast at a hotel in Tokyo. My working hours are in the morning from 05:00 to 11:30. I get home before 12 noon, and spend the time studying language and IT, or watching anime. On my days off, I often play badminton with friends. I’ve even won a regional tournament.
When I lived in Vietnam, I used to get up early in the morning to go to school, and spend the afternoon freely, so it’s kind of nostalgic (laughs).
―― A fulfilling private life with time for studies and sports!
Exactly. Due to the experience of my previous jobs, I wanted to work a job that allowed a relaxed lifestyle. I have a dream of starting a business in Japan, but I had to work dozens of hours of overtime a month at my previous company, so I couldn’t find time to study.
After graduating from a Japanese vocational school, I first joined a company that provides support to Vietnamese technical interns. Most of the technical interns are not good at Japanese, so I had to interpret Japanese whenever something happens, but this occurs frequently. I get messages late at night and even on my days off, so it was quite stressful.
My second company was an izakaya that served delicious sushi and sake. I was able to learn how to make sushi, and all the employees were young and had good relations with each other, but… There was a shortage of staff, so the days when I couldn’t take proper breaks continued. I thought that working at this company could not help my future, and so I decided to change jobs again.
―― And so you came to use the specific skills job recommendation service “Leverages Global Support (LGS)”*.
That’s right. I saw an advertisement for LGS on Facebook and registered for it. Actually, I mistook it for a recruitment service for “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services”. (laughs)
However, the job they recommended to me, that is, the hotel where I’m currently working, had ideal working conditions. It made me start to think, “Hmm? Could a specific skills job be an option?”
A “Specified Skilled Worker” visa only allows me to work up to 5 years maximum, but I plan to finish preparing to start my own business by that time, so it wasn’t particularly disadvantageous to me. I think it’s fine to choose “Specified Skilled Worker” because you want time to study, like me. My salary is lower than when I was a full time employee, but I feel that the benefits outweigh that.
*Leverages Global Support (LGS) is an employment service run by us for people who want to work with specified skills. In addition to job introductions, you can receive various support such as for changing your status of residence (visa type), finding a place to stay, and interview preparations, all for free.
―― I see. So working as a specified skilled worker fits perfectly into your career plan. What do you think of LGS’s service?
I found a job quickly, and the career advisor in charge of me was very kind, so I had a good impression overall.
Actually, just after joining my current company, I got sick and had to take a sudden leave of absence. At that time, my career advisor helped inform my workplace.
My career advisor also assisted with status of residence (visa) procedures. I’ve lived in Japan for a long time, so I can do most things by myself, but it still made me feel at ease. I think people who are not yet accustomed to Japan will feel especially appreciative.
Writer's Pick
“I want to open a sushi shop in Japan!” Studying to Make Dreams Come True
―― You mentioned wanting to start a business in Japan. What kind of business do you plan to do?
I haven’t decided yet, but I am thinking maybe a sushi restaurant. During training at my previous izakaya job, I learnt how to make sushi. I think sushi made by a Vietnamese would become a hot topic.
―― Wow! That’s certainly unique. Did you originally come to Japan with intentions to start a business?
No, when I was in Vietnam, I thought of studying in Japan to get a job at a good company in Vietnam. I liked anime, so I simply wanted to try living in Japan.
However,my thinking changed while studying abroad at a Japanese vocational school. Actually, when I was a student, I had opened a bubble tea shop with a friend. At the time, bubble tea was trending in Japan, so we thought it would work out well, but then suddenly COVID-19 hit…
―― That sounds rough…
Right. Customers stopped coming, and the shop became no more. One of the reasons I am thinking of opening a sushi restaurant is because I want to try my hand at the restaurant business again.
―― I hope it comes true! Do you think that your experience at your current hotel job will help with fulfilling your dream?
I’ve only started working here, but I think it will make for a good experience. The hotel I work at has many international guests. I took the initiative to study Chinese and French in order to be able to greet guests with their native language. After all, it’s nice to be greeted in your own language.
―― That’s wonderful! Sushi is popular worldwide, so I hope that your restaurant will attract many international customers. Lastly, please give some advice to those reading this article.
If you are attending a Japanese vocational school or Japanese university, or are planning to attend, I recommend taking the specific skills test. It may come in handy someday like it did for me, and it can also serve as a safety net in case job hunting fails. Oh, and if you do end up looking for a specific skills job, definitely try using LGS (laughs).
What is Leverages Global Support?
Leverages Global Support is a career support service that introduces jobs that require specific skills to specified skilled workers.
We also help with all the procedures required for employment and job changes, such as change of status of residence (visa type) and interview practice. If you have any problems after starting work, please feel free to contact us as well.
If you would like to know more about specified skilled workers and specific skills, please read this article, or contact a career advisor.
Recommended For
- Specified Skilled Workers who are thinking about changing jobs
- Technical Interns who want to switch to becoming a Specified Skilled Worker (You can try working in a new industry even with no experience!)
- International Students who have graduated from a Japanese school but are having trouble finding a job
How to Use Leverages Global Support
Ask for Job Recommendations
A career advisor will support you with your job search based on your desires. If you would like to be introduced to a specific skill job, feel free to send us a message using the link below.
Mention “WeXpatsを見た” at the beginning of your message, and our staff will respond promptly.
※ A Facebook account is required. Responses will be in Japanese.
Browse Jobs Yourself
You can search for the perfect job by specifying your Japanese level, occupation, work location, etc. We have many jobs available not only for Specified Skilled Workers, but also for Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services.
※ You can register from outside Japan, but only those living in Japan can apply for jobs.
