Q.Is there a place where I can check my coat and bags?
A.There is a coat check available to check your coat and bags, including suitcases. The coat check at the San Francisco Career Forum is free of charge. The coat check will close one hour after the end of the event. If you do not pick up your belongings then on the first day, you will need to do so the next day. On the second day, all items left in coat check will be handed over to the event venue (San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront). If you have dinner plans, please pick up your belongings before you leave.
Q.When can I pick up the hall map with the company booth’s location?
A.You will receive the event hall map after you check in at registration on the day of the event.
Q.Is there a place to print resumes?
A.There is a business center inside the event hall. A few PCs, printers, and a copy machine are available for you to use free of charge, so if you wish to check your email, print or edit your resume, please use the business center. Printers and copy machines can only print black and white, one-sided, and letter size. Because numbers are limited, you may have to wait in line to use them.
Q.Is there free Wi-Fi?
A.There is free Wi-Fi, but it is only available near the registration area and in the lobby of the hotel. There is no Wi-Fi inside the event hall, so please use the business center.
Q.Can I borrow stapler or glue?
A.You will be able to borrow items such as stapler or glue from the Office Supply area next to the Headquarters inside the event hall.
Q.Are there any places to eat and drink inside the venue?
A.There is a coffee shop and a restaurant in the hotel lobby. We will also be providing a light lunch within the event hall for both days of the event. It will be a networking lunch where you will have a chance to speak to company representatives in a casual atmosphere outside of the booths.
Q.I lost something. Where should I go?
A.Please check Headquarters during the event to see if anything has been reported. Sometimes items may be reported to the venue (San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront.) If your item is not at Headquarters, please contact the venue directly.
Q.Where can I check the seminar schedule?
A.Companies may hold seminars in the seminar rooms. You can find the seminar schedule on the same Career Forum menu as the FAQ. The schedule will become available a month prior to the event.
Q.Who can attend?
A.Career Forum is a job fair for Japanese-English bilinguals. Those who can attend the Los Angeles Career Forum are as follows:
At least beginner level in both Japanese and English and one of the following
Graduated or will be graduating with a Bachelor’s or higher degree (Master, MBA, Ph.D., etc.) outside of Japan
Experience studying abroad for more than one year and graduated or will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a Japanese university.
Professionals with study abroad experience outside of Japan or have experience working abroad.
Those who still have a while until graduation are also welcome to participate to find internships or conduct company research. We recommend that you bring your resume even if you are not planning to have any interviews with companies.
Q.Is there a cost to attend?
A.To register and attend the Career Forum is free.
Q.Is there a dress code?
A.For San Francisco Career Forum, business casual is recommended. Suit attire is not required.
Q.I want to attend the Career Forum, but can I attend without prior registration?
A.It is possible to register at the Career Forum on the day of the event, but we recommend you to be registered prior. By registering before the event, you will receive event details via email as well as spend less time at registration and a smoother check in.
Q.Can I attend/leave during the middle of the event?
A.Once you check in at registration between 10:00AM – 5:00PM, you are able to leave and enter freely that day. To re-enter the venue, you will need to wear your lanyard with the ticket inside that you received at check-in. Check-in is required every day of the event.
Q.What do I need to participate?
A.Please register for the Career Forum first. Once you have completed registration, please proceed with applying to companies of interest. By applying to companies online, you may be able to set up appointments prior to the event and utilize your time more efficiently at the Career Forum. You will need to check in at registration every day of the event. You can use the CFN app or print the admission ticket.
Q.What is the CFN app?
A.It is an app that is necessary when attending the Career Forum. It is a useful tool to use on event day: you can check in with the app, check company information as well as seminar and interview appointments.
Download the app from here:
Q.Are interviews held at the Career Forum? Or is it company information sessions?
A.Although it depends on the company, the characteristic of the Career Forum is that it is a place to have interviews rather than information sessions. Some companies will have interviews after their information sessions, but some companies only do interviews, so it is better to be in the mindset that the interview starts as soon as you visit the company booth.
Q.I’d like cancel my registration because I can no longer attend.
A.There is no need to cancel your event registration. If you have already scheduled an interview with a company, please let that company know.
Q.Should I apply to companies online prior to the event?
A.We recommend applying to companies online because it is an opportunity to show your interest in that company. Depending on the company, some conduct phone or online interviews before the event with applicants or contact you to set up an appointment for an interview for the event day.
Q.Can I still visit the booth if I don’t hear back from a company?
A.Yes. Even if you did not hear back from a company after applying online, that doesn’t mean you are not qualified. There is a possibility to have interviews on the day of the event via walk-ins, so please visit the booth. More than half of past participants visited the booth as walk-ins on event day even if they did not hear back from companies.
Q.Do I need a resume?
A.Even if you do not plan to have interviews, we recommend that you still have resumes prepared both in English and Japanese if possible. There may be times when you unexpectedly need a resume, such as visiting booths as walk-ins you were not planning to visit or there may be many company representatives, so we recommend bringing plenty of copies.
Q.Should I use the CFN resume or the one I created myself?
A.It is possible to print out the CFN resume, but with a resume you create yourself, you will be able to choose a format and layout that emphasizes your strengths and experiences.
For Japanese resumes, it does not matter if it’s handwritten or typed out. If attaching a picture there is no place near the venue where you can take/print your photo, so please bring extra. Although it is optional to attach a picture, it makes it easier for companies to remember your face, so we recommend you to have it just in case.
Q.About how many company booths can I visit during the event?
A.According to the participant survey, a person is able to visit on average 4 to 6 companies. Last year’s participant survey results are posted here.
Q.What would be a typical Career Forum be like?
A.Details about the Career Forum can be found here.
A.You cannot cancel, edit, or re-submit the Travel Scholarship application. However, if you need to make corrections, contact CFN with the corrections and we will forward it to the representative.
Q.If I get selected for the Travel Scholarship, what do I need to do?
A.All materials necessary for being selected are clearly stated on the travel scholarship page, so please check the Travel Scholarship page for details.
Q.Can I cancel my Travel Scholarship application?
A.You cannot cancel, edit, or re-submit the Travel Scholarship application. However, if you need to make corrections, contact CFN with the corrections and we will forward it to the representative.
Q.What do I need to pick up the financial incentive?
A.Qualifications and items need to pick the financial incentive are stated on the Financial Incentive/Tech Corner page, so please check the Financial Incentive/Tech Corner page for details.
Q.Is there a dinner or reception with companies?
A.Some companies invite job seekers to dinner after the event. This is a great opportunity to speak with other members of the company and learn more about the company’s corporate climate and work environment. Unlike during the interview, you may be able to speak in a more relaxed environment.
