Do you have plans to travel to Japan to start a career in any given field? If yes, you probably would have heard about JLPT, which refers to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Like other language proficiency tests, JLPT examines how well a person understands the Japanese language.
Without mincing words, you can get a job with JLPT N4. However, this will depend largely on the kind of job that you want to get. In other words, there are some jobs you can get with JLPT N4 while many other jobs will still be out of your reach. I will explain these various jobs later.
However, most non-native speakers always want to know the level of JLPT that they need to get a job in Japan. So, this refers us back to the original question – can you get a job with JLPT N4?
What really is JLPT N4?
For those that are not fully familiar with what JLPT N4 means, let’s take some time to explain it. JLPT is divided into 5 different levels – N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5. It is worthwhile to note that N1 is the highest and toughest level of the exam while N5 is the lowest and easiest level. If you can pass N1, you are believed to be almost as good as a native Japanese speaker.
From the above explanation, JLPT N4 is the second-lowest level of this test. Hence, having N4 means that you only have a basic understanding of Japanese and, as such, your knowledge is still largely limited.
Although the JLPT N4 assesses your knowledge of reading, listening, and grammar of Japanese, passing the exam doesn’t mean you are good at the language. Therefore, there is a significant limit to how much some with JLPT N4 can communicate with Japanese.
What are the kinds of jobs can you get with JLPT N4?
In general, the kinds of jobs that you can get with JLPT N4 are jobs that your ability to perform your duties do not rely on your understanding of Japanese. These are usually jobs that don’t require you to speak Japanese in any official or professional settings.
Factually, there are some jobs that don’t require any JLPT qualification as long as you show your fundamental understanding of Japanese during the interview. In addition, a few businesses conduct their own tests to evaluate your knowledge of the Japanese language. A few of these jobs can be skilled roles, so the employers will be more focused on what you can do than the language you can speak or read.
For example, if you are working in an automobile repair store as a repairer, you can get a job with JLPT N4. Similarly, a software engineer may be able to secure a good job with JLPT N4. This is because you are not expected to speak a lot of time to anyone while working. Besides, your basic understanding of Japanese may be enough to maintain communication with your co-workers. For such a job, you only have to submit a resume that emphasizes your experience and certification.
Also, you can get a job in an English-speaking office in Japan. You can work as an administrator, manager, etc. in this case. Another common job you can get with JLPT N4 is an English teaching job. That is, you are teaching others to speak the English language. With your basic understanding of Japanese, you may be able to communicate and teach others to improve their knowledge of the English language.
However, it is important to understand the job opportunities that fit into these categories of jobs are quite a few. Besides, your specific field of interest may even make it impossible for you to get a job with JLPT N4. Therefore, you should not count on using JLPT N4 to get a job in Japan.
What are the kinds of jobs you may not get with JLPT N4?
Firstly, you must understand that you cannot get most jobs regardless of your other qualifications. In fact, you can never be hired for any Japanese-speaking jobs, which are expectedly some of the most common jobs in the country. With just JLPT N4, you cannot get any job that requires you to utilize Japanese professionally for communication. So, if you are in the media sector or other related sectors, you can forget about securing a job in Japan.
Also, if you work in a role where you need to interact with customers, most employers will not want to employ you. This is because lots of Japanese people don’t understand English, so since your knowledge of Japanese is limited, you cannot communicate effectively with the customers. Even some Japanese individuals that understand English may not be willing to use the English language for communication. Therefore, you are not going to function properly in such a capacity.
Similarly, most professional jobs will not bother hiring someone that doesn’t have at least JLPT N2 qualification. For instance, if you are a medical doctor, your chance of getting a medical role with only JLPT N4 is almost non-existent. This also applies to so many other professional jobs.
For some jobs, having only JLPT N4 doesn’t mean you can never get the job. However, most companies will likely hire an applicant with a better knowledge of the Japanese language ahead of you.
Verdict
As long as looking for a job in Japan is concerned, you should understand that your options are limited if all you have is JLPT N4. If the JLPT is one of the requirements in a job posting you are interested in, you should understand that they will likely require the JLPT N1 or N2. For most companies, any certification below N1 or N2 doesn’t suffice as long as speaking Japanese is concerned.
Having said all this, this does not mean you can never get a job with JLPT N4. However, it is always advisable for you to continue improving your understanding of the Japanese language as you wait for the opportunities to get your dream job. You must realize that as you increase your knowledge of the language, you are increasing your chance of getting a good job.