The 'Invisible Hurdles' to Jobs Utilizing English: 31.5% of Job Seekers Uncertain, Job Merit Survey Finds
Key facts
- The 'Invisible Hurdles' to Jobs Utilizing English: 31.5% of Job Seekers Uncertain, Job Merit Survey Finds
- Job Merit, an English job posting platform, surveyed 200 job seekers nationwide. 31.5% stated they are uncertain which jobs they can apply for with their current English proficiency. The survey highlights a preference for realistic career paths that combine English with existing professional skills, rather than purely specialized roles.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 26, 2026
Direct answer
Job Merit, an English job posting platform, surveyed 200 job seekers nationwide. 31.5% stated they are uncertain which jobs they can apply for with their current English proficiency. The survey highlights a preference for realistic career paths that combine English with existing professional skills, rather than purely specialized roles.
- Citation
- The 'Invisible Hurdles' to Jobs Utilizing English: 31.5% of Job Seekers Uncertain, Job Merit Survey Finds (May 26, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 26, 2026
Job Merit, an English job posting platform, surveyed 200 job seekers nationwide. 31.5% stated they are uncertain which jobs they can apply for with their current English proficiency. The survey highlights a preference for realistic career paths that combine English with existing professional skills, rather than purely specialized roles.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 26, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 26, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 27, 2026 at 13:17 (26h 45m after Collected)
- 31.5% reported they 'do not know what jobs they can apply for' based on their English skills.
- Emphasis is on realistic combinations of 'existing professional skills x English.'
- A strong preference for 'environments where English can be used gradually' over immediate high-level specialization.
## Survey Overview
- Survey Date: April 20, 2026
- Region: Nationwide (Japan)
- Survey Agency: Freeasy
- Method: Online survey
- Participants: 200 men and women nationwide considering jobs that utilize English.
## Key Findings
### 1. Desired Work Style
Most job seekers are not looking to jump straight into high-specialization roles but prefer environments where they can integrate English into their daily routines gradually. Interest is concentrated in supportive tasks such as email correspondence and reviewing documents.
### 2. Preferred Job Categories
General administrative, back-office, and customer service roles, which utilize existing professional skills, top the list. Conversely, roles requiring high interpersonal intensity like international sales or secretary positions are approached with more caution.
### 3. Key Hurdles
The primary barrier is the uncertainty of 'not knowing which jobs they can apply for.' A lack of concrete information regarding job duties and necessary skill requirements is preventing job seekers from taking the first step.
FAQ
What is the biggest hurdle for job seekers looking for jobs that utilize English?
The most common hurdle is the difficulty in judging which job openings are suitable based on their English proficiency.
What kind of work style do job seekers prioritize when looking for jobs that utilize English?
Job seekers tend to seek environments where they can gradually use English in their daily tasks, rather than requiring high-level expertise from the start.
What types of jobs that utilize English are popular among job seekers?
Popular job types include general office work, back office roles, and customer service or reception, where existing job skills can be combined with English.
What was the target number of participants and the implementation date of this survey?
The survey was conducted on April 20, 2026, targeting 200 men and women nationwide who are considering jobs that utilize English.
What are job seekers concerned about when looking for jobs that utilize their English skills?
Job seekers are concerned about the lack of clarity regarding the criteria for judging suitable job types, the need for practical experience, and the ability to handle business English and specialized terminology.