Freelance as software developer in Tokyo ... without Japanese language skills?

[Sven]

Hi there!

I am a 31 year old German software engineer fully equipped with resident card and employed by a Japanese company.

I would like to start doing some freelance work on the side (20 hours per week) to increase my budget. Regrettably, I do not have any Japanese language skills so far.

A few keywords:

C, C++, VB, SQL

database programming, embedded, automotive, interactive TV, Win32 GUI, COM and a lot more

Any idea whom I could send my resume?

/Sven

[yanpa]

Unfortunately not, though I'll keep a lookout. (As a matter of interest - how did you get your current job without Japanese?)

[Sven]

The Japanese company is the legal entity of an American company I happen to work for since nearly five years. First I came here on workshop trips, then I was transferred to Tokyo while still employed in Germany and now I am employed in Japan. Apparently that is easier for the financial guys.

There were certain communication problems that required a Gaijin with deep technical background permanently in Japan. Since I developed major parts of the product in question and wanted to come to Japan, that's me. In general I explain the Japanese view to the Germans/Americans and vice versa.

I am aware the it is ample time for me to get serious about Japanese language.

/Sven

[Samurai_Jerk]

Hi there!

I am a 31 year old German software engineer fully equipped with resident card and employed by a Japanese company.

I would like to start doing some freelance work on the side (20 hours per week) to increase my budget. Regrettably, I do not have any Japanese language skills so far.

A few keywords:

C, C++, VB, SQL

database programming, embedded, automotive, interactive TV, Win32 GUI, COM and a lot more

Any idea whom I could send my resume?

/Sven

I'd say try to get a fulltime job in a foreign company. Japanese companies don't pay shit.

[Sven]

I'd say try to get a fulltime job in a foreign company. Japanese companies don't pay shit.

... that's the part the financial guys liked.

[yanpa]

:)

The Japanese company is the legal entity of an American company I happen to work for since nearly five years. First I came here on workshop trips, then I was transferred to Tokyo while still employed in Germany and now I am employed in Japan. Apparently that is easier for the financial guys.

There were certain communication problems that required a Gaijin with deep technical background permanently in Japan. Since I developed major parts of the product in question and wanted to come to Japan, that's me. In general I explain the Japanese view to the Germans/Americans and vice versa.

I am aware the it is ample time for me to get serious about Japanese language.

/Sven

Alles klar, makes sense (your first post sounded like you were working for a 100% Japanese company and it would have interested me how the connection came about).

[huey12]

Hi everyone,
I am pretty much in the same situation as Sven : software developer looking for a non-Japanese speaking job in Tokyo
I tried the classics : headhunters. job boards and career websites, but not much luck until now ...

any ideas or advices are much appreciated !

[yanpa]

What kind of software development are you looking for? It's a wide field...

[huey12]

yes SwDev is a wide field, but i dont have any restrictions. I'm a recent grad, so i have some experience in different fields but expert in none yet

Some keywords of my skills/experience : C/C++, Python, Java, SQL, GUI, Matlab, Imaging, Graphics, codecs, streaming, OpenGL, GLSL ...

[cstaylor]

yes SwDev is a wide field, but i dont have any restrictions. I'm a recent grad, so i have some experience in different fields but expert in none yet

Some keywords of my skills/experience : C/C++, Python, Java, SQL, GUI, Matlab, Imaging, Graphics, codecs, streaming, OpenGL, GLSL ...

Without Japanese skills, your options are pretty limited on doing freelance work here in Japan. Have you thought about taking side-jobs remotely over something like craigslist?

[huey12]

Without Japanese skills, your options are pretty limited on doing freelance work here in Japan. Have you thought about taking side-jobs remotely over something like craigslist?

Yes, I've been checking job boards and ad websites (like craigslist) for a while, but no luck until now ... I actually forgot to mention that im looking for a job, not only freelance, so maybe im not posting in the right topic ... but the issue is the same !