Career Consultations

Looking for guidance as you navigate the next steps in your career journey?

Taking that next step in your career path can be intimidating whether you are just returning from JET or are mid-career and looking to pivot into another sector or switch employers in the same field. All JET alums have been through career transitions and we recognize the challenges that come with it. That is exactly why USJETAA has curated this network of professionals that are here to lend a hand with your next steps. These services are FREE to USJETAA members unless otherwise outlined. (Explore USJETAA’s free & supporting membership levels here.)

Each of these career coaches and consultants are intimately familiar with the JET Program and inherently understand the skills and talents our community has, how to translate them, how to harness them and what industries they may be most appreciated in. We hope this customized support for JET alumni adds to a smooth career transition. When we lend each other a hand, our community as a whole becomes stronger.

QUICK USA, Inc. is a Japanese job agency with offices in major US cities, committed to supporting job seekers from diverse backgrounds and industries. Services include career counseling, interview preparation, and job placement.
Takeshi Yamagishi is a dedicated career consultant whose life took a significant turn during his middle school days in Ishikawa-ken after a transformative encounter with a JET Program ALT at his school. Takeshi went onto become a JTE and worked with JET ALTs in the Japanese public school system. His career eventually changed course and he now works with Quick USA and lives in Dallas, TX with his family.
Inspired and impacted by his interactions with JET Program participants, Takeshi is on a mission to give back to the JET community by offering complimentary career support to JET alumni through USJETAA. (These consultations are intended for registered USJETAA members. Free & supporting memberships are available.) Takeshi has successfully supported many JET alumni to help them understand the various Japan-related job markets and industry landscapes, guiding them towards career opportunities that fit their interests. He also understands that most JETs have Japanese language and cultural competencies that are highly valued by Japanese companies.
USJETAA is proud to partner with Quick USA to help JETs identify the skills they learned on JET and apply those skills to their professional lives while staying connected to Japan. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity!
I had the pleasure of working with Takeshi Yamagishi during my job search, and I couldn't be more impressed with his friendliness, diligence, and dedication. I had wanted to use Japanese again at work but didn’t know how to approach looking for the appropriate position. Fortunately, Takeshi understood exactly how to apply my strengths and my experience in Japan to find an exciting position at a company where I am valued. I even moved across the country for this job! I highly recommend Takeshi to anyone seeking expert guidance in navigating the landscape of Japanese companies in the US job market.”
Joe Messmer (Saitama, 2009-2011)
Business Development Manager, North American Lighting

QUICK USA, Inc. is a Japanese job agency with offices in major US cities, committed to supporting job seekers from diverse backgrounds and industries. Services include career counseling, interview preparation, and job placement.
Carlos Medina (Oita, 2019-2022) was an elementary and middle school ALT in Oita. Following his tenure on the JET Program, he spent a year in the hotel industry in Japan after which he decided to make his way home to Dallas, TX where he currently resides and works as a Sales/Recruiter/Project Assistant for Quick USA.
As a member of Quick USA, he is fulfilling his desire to be a bridge between the US and Japan. Carlos understands the challenge of returning home from JET and hopes to support fellow alumni in finding a position based on their interests and aligning them with the right company.
USJETAA is proud to partner with Quick USA to help JETs identify the skills they learned on JET and apply those skills to their professional lives while staying connected to Japan. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity!

Pasona NA is an HR business partner for Japanese companies with over 15 branches worldwide. We are the largest Japanese specific recruitment company in the US. Our goal is to provide job seekers with personalized consultation and advice both for their job search and future career growth.
Desmond Pentony has studied Japanese for over a decade, including approximately six years in Kyoto, where he developed a strong foundation in the language and a deep familiarity with Japanese culture and business practices.
Through his time in Japan, he became particularly interested in how individuals navigate the gap between an interest in Japan and building a career connected to it. Now based in the United States, he works closely with individuals pursuing Japan-related careers, helping them explore opportunities with Japanese companies and better understand cross-cultural expectations.
At Pasona North America, he focuses on bridging the gap between candidates and organizations, especially for those entering Japanese work environments for the first time. He is most motivated by helping others turn their interest in Japan into something tangible, whether through career development, language growth, or long-term professional goals.

Pasona NA is an HR business partner for Japanese companies with over 15 branches worldwide. We are the largest Japanese specific recruitment company in the US. Our goal is to provide job seekers with personalized consultation and advice both for their job search and future career growth.
Ai Sakashita grew up in Japan and developed an early interest in international communication through her involvement in an English club during high school, where she regularly interacted with a variety of ALT teachers. While in university, she further expanded her global perspective through an exchange program in the United States.
Beginning in 2017, Ai spent 4.5 years working as an ALT recruiter, where she supported educators from behind the scenes and gained extensive knowledge of the systems and challenges. This experience strengthened her understanding of how to support international professionals working in educational environments.
Since joining Pasona North America in 2022, Ai has been engaged in recruiting for Japanese companies in the United States, supporting a wide range of candidates—including former ALTs—who are seeking careers in the U.S. market. She specializes in guiding job seekers through the differences between Japanese and American job-hunting practices and provides career consulting tailored to both first-time applicants and experienced professionals. Her work focuses on helping candidates translate their international experience into meaningful, long-term career opportunities.

iiicareer (Interesse International Inc.) is a Japan–U.S.-focused recruitment and staffing firm with 11 U.S. locations plus Tokyo, offering nationwide support with strong coverage in regional U.S. markets, including Cincinnati, Nashville and more.
We provide personalized consultation for job seekers and practical hiring support for Japanese companies across the U.S.
Maurie Arima (goes by Mari) is a Business Development Coordinator at iiicareer (Interesse International Inc.), where she supports bilingual professionals and Japanese companies across the U.S., and is known for staying highly attuned to hiring trends and market shifts affecting bilingual talent.
Having lived in Japan from infancy until just before high school (primarily in Tokyo and the Shonan area), Mari brings strong cultural context and a deep love for the Japanese language. She supports JET alumni and internationally experienced professionals by bridging workplace communication and expectations, translating Japan experience into workplace-ready value for careers with Japanese companies in the U.S.
She creates career-focused content through iiicareer’s YouTube, blog, and social media, and offers career coaching, resume/LinkedIn support, and interview preparation.

iiicareer (Interesse International Inc.) is a Japan–U.S.-focused recruitment and staffing firm with 11 U.S. locations plus Tokyo, offering nationwide support with strong coverage in regional U.S. markets, including Cincinnati, Nashville and more.
We provide personalized consultation for job seekers and practical hiring support for Japanese companies across the U.S.
Olga Samborska Moroz (Hyogo, 2002-2005) developed her passion for Japan through studying Japanese at Connecticut College, followed by study abroad at Nanzan University and participation in the JET Program in Awaji, Hyogo. Her career has included work with Interesse International Inc., the Japan-America Society of Washington DC, MUFG (Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi), and international development organizations.
Through her work with Interesse, Olga has advised bilingual professionals and JET alumni on career planning, interview preparation, and navigating opportunities with Japanese companies. She has also led Japanese business etiquette workshops and community outreach programs supporting Japanese language learners and Japan-related professionals.
Olga understands that careers are rarely linear. Whether your next opportunity is directly related to Japan or not, she believes that the language skills, cross-cultural experience, and global perspective gained through JET and Japanese studies can continue to create opportunities throughout your career. She enjoys helping JET alumni identify those strengths and use them to build meaningful careers.

These customized career consultations are possible through our partnerships and the larger JETAA network.