BOSTON
CAREER FORUM 2024
November 15 - November 17, 2024 (Fri. - Sun.)
About The Boston Career Forum
Career Forum is a job fair, where you can apply to companies prior to the event, set up interviews, and
possibly receive an offer by the end of the event. Because information may be limited when it comes to working
in Japan, many candidates attend not only to interview with companies, but also to familiarize themselves with
companies and the job-hunting process.
Below is the targeted audience:
Those with few more years to graduation also attend！
Of course, many attend the Boston Career Forum with the goal to get offers for full time positions.
However, undergraduates and graduate students who are yet to graduate will use the Career Forum as a
chance to directly talk a variety of companies.
Bachelor-degree students are the most common participants. However,
graduate-degree students also often attend.
Although many attending companies are Japanese and seeking new graduates, master's and higher degree
students are also welcome. Students with work experience can also apply to mid-career positions. Even
Ph.D. students attend. It is a chance to directly talk to companies and find the place that fits your
specialized skills and experience.
How do participants prepare for the Career Forum?
Did you apply to companies online?
Applying to companies online before the Boston Career Forum is imperative! Because companies like to
start that selection process before the event, you must apply first!
What do you value when applying? Top 3
How many companies did you apply to online?
What type of selection process are companies
utilizing before the Boston Career Forum?
How many interview appointments did you have before the event?
Most companies accept applications online via CFN. Therefore, 90% of companies conduct some kind of online
screening process before the event. Because online interviews are so common, some companies will complete
their first and second round interviews before the event online.
What do you do at the event?
Did you approach a company despite not receiving a response?
First, visit the booths of the companies you had applied to. Even if you did not receive a response that
does not mean you are not qualified! On the day of the event, past participants, with their resumes
ready, visited booths of the companies they had applied prior to the event. Don't also forget to visit
the companies that accept Walk-ins (accepting participants who haven't applied online) too!
How many companies did you visit that you did not apply to in
advance?
Factoring in company seminars and interviews, the amount of companies you can approach is limited. On
the day of, past attendees have both approached companies they applied to in advance, and companies that
interest them. Therefore, even if you don't have time to research, we recommend making a list of
companies that interest you before the event.
The interview process is not just during the event!
Did your company hold dinners/receptions?
When do companies hold dinners/receptions?
Over 70% of the participating companies hold dinners/receptions with candidates. Dinners may be a small
group with 2-3 company representatives and 4-5 candidates. Some companies may hold receptions with up to
100 people. This is an opportunity to get to know companies in a more relaxed atmosphere unlike an
interview room. However, do remember that this is still part of the recruitment process! Employers want to
know more about you as well see how you communicate with others candidates. This can give them a better
picture of how you would be as a potential employee.
Chance to receive an offer?
Received an offer or still in progress
As a result of the interviews and dinners with companies during the event, 75% of attendees have stated
they received an offer or are waiting on results. Additionally, offers are not only achievable during the
event times! Because companies continue the recruitment process after the event, there are cases of
getting an offer by the end of the year, or even the next year. In order to follow up with companies, make
sure to remember who you interviewed with for each company and check their contact information!
In some companies, there were some professionals for specific fields, such as data,
finance, marketing, etc. I was able to inquire what the company does currently in a specific field and
what kinds of demands employers have for employees.
I liked being able to speak with people in person and learn more about what they’re
looking for.
It was helpful when companies were willing to talk about why they chose to join the
company, and was especially informative to talk to staff who were hired through Boston Career Forum.
You have the chance to talk with the employees who are doing the exact job I was
applying for and
discussing the company’s future goals and vision to see if I fit with their company.
The wealth of information and personnel to network with at the Career Forum is
incredible.
