IT-Research Engineer in Japanese company seeks better position

[Tamori]

Hi,

As stated in the subject, I'm an IT-engineer, a "seishain", doing research for a major IT-company in Tokyo. My problem is I'm not getting what I think my hard labour is worth. I earn 4,2 M yen a year, including the bi-annual bonuses and I know that's a ridiculously low amount compared to what some of my friends who work in gaishikei companies make. I'm 28, I've got 2 BS in computer science and engineering and something like 4 years of total work experience. Oh, and I speak English, Japanese, French and German fairly fluently.

That said, I have to admit there is a silver lining to my present situation. I like my job despite the rampant bureaucracy and hierarchical system and my colleagues and superiors are extremely kind people. My company provides good social security and thanks to the shuushinkoyousei (lifetime employement system) I know I will never be fired unless I commit a serious offence or the company goes under (something I understand is not guaranteed by gaishikei companies). So I'm kind of torn between the stable situation I have and my desire to get what I think I deserve.

At any rate, I'm looking for other opportunities, searching the net to see whether I can find a better position that could get me at least over the 6M yen. I'm also considering going to job fairs but I'm not sure which ones are suited for that kind of job. Are there IT job fairs for gaijins in Tokyo by any chance?

I would be very grateful if anybody has any advice to offer or any experience he/she could relate that could be helpful.

Many thanks in advance.

[FG Lurker]

As stated in the subject, I'm an IT-engineer, a "seishain", doing research for a major IT-company in Tokyo. My problem is I'm not getting what I think my hard labour is worth. I earn 4,2 M yen a year, including the bi-annual bonuses and I know that's a ridiculously low amount compared to what some of my friends who work in gaishikei companies make.

Definitely very low.

That said, I have to admit there is a silver lining to my present situation. I like my job despite the rampant bureaucracy and hierarchical system and my colleagues and superiors are extremely kind people. My company provides good social security and thanks to the shuushinkoyousei (lifetime employement system) I know I will never be fired unless I commit a serious offence or the company goes under

The "liking job" angle and "social security" angle are totally different issues.

Liking your job is extremely important, as is working with good people.

The social security bit is essentially meaningless. By the time you or I retire Japan's social security systems (public and privately funded company ones) will have collapsed from the weight of the baby boomers. It would be unwise indeed to depend on any form of social security to help fund your retirement years.

Lifetime employment still exists in name, but in reality it no longer does. Huge companies like Hitachi and Sony have "spun off" parts of their businesses or "restructured" people out of jobs. If things get tough for a company they will make cuts.

My suggestion is that you do exactly what the company would do: Take care of your own best interests. Talk to some recruiting companies that work with foreigners (Tokyo has many) and see what they think you are worth. It doesn't hurt to shop around and see what your options are. Just be sure to keep it very quiet -- don't tell anyone at work, even if they're your closest friend in the world.

[Tamori]

Thanks for the answer, FG Lurker. You mentioned "recruiting companies that work with foreigners". Do you have any names? Any particular companies that you (or other people for that matter) would recommend?

[Kunchan]

If you can speak Japanese and English fairly well, BiOS, an IT company in Tokyo are hiring right now for several positions - try http://www.biosjp.com

You may also want to try agencies such as DaiJob and Careercross