Reason for career change

Both for yourself as well for your future career development it is crucial that when you do change jobs you change it for the right reasons. For example money might be an important factor but can be very tricky too.

Money: If for example a company is willing to offer much more than your present employer, you should ask yourself the following questions: a) Why are they offering more? Are the performance bonuses achievable?, b) What will you do when you find a company which offers even more a few months later? c) The compensation might be lucrative but how stable is the company itself? Can they ensure to pay this package over the long run?

Challenge & added responsibility: Foreign companies face many challenges when setting up shop in Japan or when trying to expand their market share. Therefore more than their Japanese peers they are seeking individuals who seek challenges and who are willing to take a risk. Therefore changing jobs because of the challenge and added responsbility is not just good personally but is also liked by prospective employers. Keep in mind though that there is also always a risk. Some candidates realize only after their career change that they were not fit for their new environment or that the challenges were too steep. Therefore it is crucial that you assess yourself properly in advance.

Management experience: In some Japanese corporations it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain management experience early on. Furthermore, companies always tend to trust the same individuals instead of taking the risk of training many in management skills. If you feel you are not getting the chance you deserve, switching to a foreign affiliated company might give you the opportunity you were looking for. Foreign companies also care less about age and as a result it is possible to advance more quickly. Again some words of caution: In big Japanese corporations, it takes years if not decades to obtain management experience and a decent title. It might be very appealing at first to get a better title with a foreign firm or to even become a Board Member, but more than titles you should be first and foremost concerned if this company really provides the career perspective you desire and secondly if the company itself has signficant potential for growth and success.

International exposure: We regulalry encounter candidates who seek more international exposure by changing to foreign affiliated companies. Some are very happy with their change because their employers operate in English, have staff from all over the world and make their strategic decisions from a global perspective. Other candidates are disappointed because they realize that even though it might be a foreign company, their Japan entity operates very much like a "Japanese" company. Therefore if you are seeking international exposure make sure to confirm that your new employer is indeed international.