[Levi]

I'm an American recently moved here to HK for work. My girlfriend is a Japanese national and she is interested in coming to HK to live and work as well. She speaks only English and Japanese.

Both she and I have been looking on the net for jobs requiring Japanese language ability. Much to our chagrin, it appears many/most also require some Cantonese/Mandarin as well.

Can anyone offer some advice as to what specific (or general) types of employment that might be suitable for a Japanese person with no Chinese language ability? (In terms of her work experience, it is mostly in teaching English and admin/secretarial/clerical/sales support.)

Any suggestions for job search resources would be highly appreciated as well. I feel I've thoroughly exhausted (at least I feel that way) most of the English-language HK job search websites. She has been checking whatever Japanese job search engines that exist.
I've also started looking into Japan-related contacts to inquire about this as well (e.g. the HK Japan Society, HK Japanese Club, HK Japanese Chamber of Commerce, HK Japanese Intl School, etc, etc.)

As I'm sure anyone experienced in long-distance relationships can attest, I am really anxious to find some answers as to how she can work in HK.

Thanks very much.

[travelem]

I saw a few accounting or clerical jobs from
http://www.jobsdb.com/ that require Japanese skills because the company and boss are Japanese.

[honeybee]

Most Japanese in Hong Kong got jobs via some agencies that specializing in Japanese companies, wonder if you've been checking below

http://www.pasona-asia.com
http://www.goodjobcreations.com
http://www.anchor-hrm.com
http://www.tempstaff.com.hk
http://www.staffservice.com
http://www.adecco-asia.com

Good luck

[Levi]

Honeybee,

Thanks so much. I'll take a look at the sites you mentioned. I've looked at pasona already, but the english version of the site only shows jobs for the US, Canada, and Japan. None for HK. I already told my girlfriend about it, so maybe she had better luck on the Japanese site.

I know there is still a lot of searching/research to be done, but here's why I am sort of in a quandry:

There are many jobs listed for Japanese-speakers that require specific high-level skills or certifications (e.g. accounting, finance, engineering, Japanese-Chinese translation, etc).

I've also seen many jobs requiring language skills only (i.e., as secretaries or admin/exec. assistants) that need to answer phones and/or act as customer/client interfaces for the company. In other words, jobs where you need to talk to outsiders in some Chinese language, and report back to your boss in Japanese.

As I've mentioned before, my girlfriend doesn't speak any Mandarin or Cantonese. So... from my perspective, she is sort of caught in the middle of both areas I just described.

Of course, one option is that she undertake some language training before she arrives in HK, but I know Cantonese isn't just something she (or anyone) can pick up in just a few months. Besides, I miss her, and I don't want to delay her coming if I can avoid it.

Anyway, thanks again Honeybee. You've given me some more places to look. If anyone else has other suggestions... please!
Thanks.

[honeybee]

Hi,

I think the English version is more for locals who can speak Japanese, so better your girlfriend checks the Japanese version or just contact the agencies.

I've been working in Japanese company, the staffs transferred from headquarter and those Japanese hired locally only speak Japanese and English.
They don't need to hire a Japanese to speak Cantonese or Mandarin when they can simply find a local who is fluent in Japanese.
Therefore, your girlfriend's language is not the issue but her education and work experience.

Moreover, some of them just sent applications (sort of cold call) to the Japanese companies to see if there's vacancy.

Hope these help.

[tstexpat]

There are LOADS of HK and Mainland Chinese who speak Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Perhaps you would have had better luck 12 years ago. I have several friends who are in the same situation as you..They moved to HK..spent several months here..were offered crappy salaries and eventually moved to Japan or the US.
Good Luck !

[Levi]

tstexpat,

You're not painting a pretty picture for me here!! But, I think you are right. When I was living in Japan, I met LOADS of mainlanders there studying Japanese in university.

For the rest of the world, Mandarin is the 2nd language of choice ( I think) in terms of improving job prospects, esp. in commerce and manufacturing.

For those people who can already speak Mandarin and/or Cantonese, I suppose the logical 2nd language is Japanese.

I guess she and I will have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that her qualifications and experience are enough. Or our luck.

Since I am an American, I wouldn't have any hesitation to head back home to find a job myself, and to help her find a job. But... I've already started committing myself here (job, apartment, etc). It'd be a shame for both me and her if I left now.

Thanks again for the reply.

[hei811]

My 2 cents worth - try hotels. most are hiring & they generally only need english & japanese for roles such as "Japanese speaking guest relations"

try the following & just search "Japanese"
www.JobsDB.com.hk
www.CareerTimes.com.hk
www.Classifiedpost.com

Will post more if i come across anything.

[Levi]

Thanks hei811. I've already been checking all 3 of those sites. It seems they mostly post jobs from all the major staffing agencies, whose websites I've already been visiting directly. But, I also see a lot of hotel jobs too, as you mentioned. I'll let her know about these as well.
Thanks again.

[cb1118]

it would be easier if she knows someone among the japanese communities here.

such as my friends are koreans, they often are introduced to jobs in korean firms by korean friends.
(but then again, Korean communities are closely linked because of their religion **christian, church group.
Japanese may not have such bonding...)