外資系企業の採用プロセスと具体的な流れを解説!突破のコツは3つ外資系企業の採用プロセスと具体的な流れを解説!突破のコツは3つ

I want to understand the hiring process of foreign companies in detail.

I want to be well-prepared for the hiring process at a foreign-affiliated company.

This article will explain the following for those who are thinking in this way.

• Hiring Process of Gaishikei Companies
• Key points of an interview at a foreign company
• What you should prepare for an interview at a foreign company.

Please refer to this section if you want to prepare well in advance to get a job offer from a foreign company.

The recruitment process for foreign companies basically proceeds as follows
 

1. Application and document screening
2. Screening
3. Interview by phone, Zoom, etc.
4. Second round of interviews
5. Third round interview
6. Reference check (corroboration)
7. Final interview

Please see below for more details.
 

Application and Document Screening

The hiring process for a foreign company begins with an online application and submission of documents such as a resume and curriculum vitae. The company then reviews the applications and selects qualified candidates.

When applying, prepare your resume and CV according to the requirements and skills specified in the job posting. It is important to provide the necessary information accurately and in the appropriate format.
It is also important to present your strengths, experience, and accomplishments in your personal statement and curriculum vitae. It is a good idea to emphasize the points that appeal to you in accordance with the job requirements of the company to which you are applying and the values of the company.

2. Screening (Selection)

Part of the selection process involves screening candidates. Screening is the process of sifting candidates to see if they match the requirements set by the foreign company.
In most cases, if you meet the application requirements, you will pass the screening, but some companies may fail at the screening stage because they look at the candidate's basic skills, experience, motivation, and other details.

3. Interview by phone, Zoom, etc.

In many cases, interviews are conducted via telephone or online platforms such as Zoom. This stage can be viewed as the first round of interviews.
During this stage, the candidate's work experience, qualifications, and cultural fit are reviewed. Some companies may also interview more than one employee.
Please also read on for a more detailed explanation of the key points of the web interview later in this section.

4.Second round interview

In the second round of interviews, more in-depth interviews and tests are conducted. In this phase, the skills and experience evaluated in the first interview are further explored, and more in-depth discussions and questions are typically asked.
Second interviews often include in-depth questions related to the topics and questions touched on in the first interview, so be prepared to explain your experience and skills in detail.
The second interview also focuses on whether the applicant fits the culture and values of the company. Research and prepare for the culture and values of the company in advance to demonstrate that your values and work style match those of the company.
The following questions are considered standard for second interviews.
What do you consider most important when working in a team?
What made you interested in our company? What aspects of our culture and values do you share?
How do you want to develop your skills and experience in the future?
Please list your strengths and weaknesses in detail. How have you made the most of them?

5. Tertiary Interview

The tertiary interview is the final stage of the selection process and is often conducted between the applicant and a level of HR responsibility. It is during this stage that the candidate's fit and cultural compatibility is finalized and the hiring decision is finalized.
During the tertiary interview, the candidate's deep insight and ability to think strategically are evaluated, so prepare in-depth answers that are accurate and demonstrate insight into questions about the company's vision and strategy.
The third interview also assesses how well the candidate fits into the culture and values of the company. Emphasize answers that align with the culture and values of the company and the fit with the company's values as demonstrated by past experiences.
In many cases, the following questions are asked in the third round of interviews
What challenges have you faced in past projects

6.Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Reference checks are conducted to verify a candidate's past work experience and abilities.

Companies gather and utilize a variety of information from reliable sources to better understand an applicant's performance and personality. For example, they gather feedback from supervisors, colleagues, and subordinates who worked with the applicant in his or her previous positions. For this reason, it is easy to find out if an applicant has made false answers or documents.

7. Final Interview

The final interview is the last step in the hiring process and is conducted between the candidate and the final decision maker (representative or executive). During this interview, the candidate's competence, suitability, and compatibility with the corporate culture are finally verified, and after the interview the company makes a final decision.

The final interview often includes detailed questions about past experience and accomplishments. Therefore, it is important for applicants to demonstrate their abilities by explaining in detail the roles they have played, the results they have achieved, and the challenges they have solved.

Potential specific questions include the following

• Please be specific about your past accomplishments and experiences.
• What are your future career goals?
• What are your team roles and interpersonal relationships?
• What is your understanding of our vision and values?

The hiring interview process is as follows
 

1. Greetings
2. Chatting
3. Self-promotion
4. Question and answer session

The following is a detailed explanation.

Greetings

The interview for a foreign company begins with a greeting. Make sure to make eye contact, which determines the first impression.
If you do not look the other person in the eye when greeting them, you may give the negative impression that you are not confident.
For English interviews, you may decide on your first greeting in advance.
Please refer to the following for general greetings for English interviews.

"Good morning, [○○ (Interviewer's Name)]. Thank you for having me today. I'm [○○ (Your Name)], and I'm excited to be here and discuss the opportunity with [○○ (Company Name)]."

“Good morning, [○○ (Interviewee's Name)]. Thank you for inviting me here today. I am [○○ (Your Name)]. I look forward to speaking with you about the opportunity at [____ (name of company)].”

2. Chatting

Light chit-chat is often included at the end of the greeting. The chat serves as an ice breaker, but it is also a time to see the applicant's communication skills.
During the small talk, try to create an upbeat impression. For example, you can talk about happenings on the way to the interview, or topics related to the products or services of the company you are applying for.

Be careful not to discuss topics that are too serious or politics-related topics, as some people may have a negative impression of you. If you find it difficult to find a topic, ask questions while listening to what the other person has to say.
Also, depending on the company, you may be given a tour of the company while chatting, so be sure not to be distracted.

3. Self-PR

In self-public relations, communication skills and self-expression are looked at. Some companies consider it as a check of presentation skills, and it is a relatively important part of the process.
They may also be looking at consistency with your application, so try not to create any inconsistencies in what you say with your resume or CV.
This part of self-promotion is introduced by most foreign companies, so it is recommended that you practice it beforehand. If you can speak clearly and with an open attitude, you will receive high marks for your communication skills.

4. Question and Answer Session

Questions asked during the Q&A session will vary depending on the industry and corporate culture. Please refer to the following for some general questions that you may find useful.

Questions about past work
What are some of the challenges you have faced in your past work?
Are there things you are conscious of in order to achieve results?
Are there things you pay attention to in your internal communication?

Commonly Asked Questions at English Interviews
Question 1: "Why are you interested in this position/company?
Answer: "Why are you interested in this position/company?

Sample answer: Please describe why you are interested in this position/company. You may want to mention the company's culture, values, growth opportunities, etc.

Question 2: "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
(Japanese translation: "What are your strengths and weaknesses?")

Sample answer: Talk about your strengths and weaknesses. For strengths, provide specific examples. For weaknesses, include how you overcame or improved upon them.

Question 3: "Can you describe a challenging situation you faced and how you handled it?"
Answer: "Can you describe a challenging situation you faced and how you handled it?"

Sample Response: Describe a challenging situation you faced in the past and how you handled it. You may also want to share your results and learnings.

Question 4: "What are your future career goals?"
(Japanese translation: "What are your future career goals?")

Sample answer: Describe your future career goals and objectives. Explain your specific goals and how you plan to achieve them.

You will be able to answer the questions and answers smoothly if you are familiar with them. Therefore, if you are unsure, it is a good idea to have a friend or parent help you practice the question-and-answer session.
 

The following are some tips for interviewing for a job at a foreign company.
 

• Have a counter-question in mind
• Impress them with your closing remarks
• Send a thank-you e-mail

Let's take a look at each of these points.

Think about the reverse question

When interviewing for a job at a foreign company, it is a good idea to think of a follow-up question in advance. In most cases, the reverse questions are asked at the end of the interview, so you can make a good impression by asking questions that are appropriate for the situation.
See below for specific reverse questions.

"Can you tell me more about the team I'll be working with?"
"Can you tell me more about the team I'll be working with?"

"What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?"
"What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?"

"How does the company promote work-life balance among employees?"
"How does the company promote work-life balance among employees?"

"What are the company's values and how do they influence day-to-day operations?"
What are the company's values and how do they influence day-to-day operations? What are the company's values and how do they influence day-to-day operations?

"How does the company support diversity and inclusion in the workplace?"
“How does the company support diversity and inclusion in the workplace?”

Impress with your closing remarks

There are several ways to impress a foreign company with your closing remarks. First, the basic premise is to show appreciation. Show courtesy and respect by thanking the interviewer or business partner for taking the time to meet with you.
Second, it is also important to clearly identify next steps and follow-up plans. This will facilitate the progression of the next communication you need to take.
It is also important to address them with confidence and poise. By looking the person in the eye and clearly saying, "Pleased to meet you," you will make a good impression.

Send a thank-you e-mail

Thank-you e-mails are a great way to demonstrate your business literacy. However, the most important benefit of sending a thank-you e-mail is that it shows that you are highly motivated.
By letting the company know that you are highly motivated, they will be more likely to take the initiative in communicating with you, thereby making it more efficient for you to secure a job offer.
In addition, if you convey your passion for the company in your thank-you e-mail, the originally bad result may turn out to be a good one.
Please refer to the following for a thank-you e-mail.

__________________

Subject: Message of thanks and appreciation for the interview

Dear XXX

Thank you very much for taking the time to interview with XXX (company name). I am honored to have had the opportunity to further understand the wonderful culture and vision of XXX (company name) through this interview.

If you have any questions about what I have said, please feel free to let me know at any time. As for the next steps, I am eagerly awaiting to hear from you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful opportunity. Please continue to take care of yourself during your busy schedule.

My best regards to you.

XXX (my name)
XXX (my phone number)

__________________

The following are the key points for a web interview with a foreign company.

1. Be prepared for the environment

1. Be attentive to your attire
2. Look and speak to the camera
    

Each of these points is explained below.

Be prepared for the environment

When conducting a web interview, make sure you are well prepared beforehand.
In particular, if you are conducting a web interview for the first time, be sure to check in advance that the Internet connection is working, that the image is not bad, and that you can hear the other person's voice.
It is also essential to prepare your communication environment. Use tools to talk with other people in advance to ensure that the interview goes smoothly.
There are a variety of web tools such as zoom and Google meeting, so be especially careful if you are using a tool you have never used before.

Pay attention to your attire.

Just as in a general employment interview, be sure to dress appropriately for a web interview. Since basically only the upper body is visible, it is easy to be careless, but your entire body can be seen at a moment's notice.
Be aware that you may receive a negative evaluation if you are sloppily dressed.

Look at the camera and talk.

During a web interview, try to look at the camera rather than at the interviewer's eyes on the screen. This will give the interviewer an imposing impression.
Be aware that if you only look at the screen while speaking, you may appear to be slumped over from certain angles. Of course, there is no problem with looking at the screen when you are listening to the conversation.
 

Foreign companies also have the following characteristic interviews
 

• Presentation interview
• Loop interview
• Case Interview
   

Let's take a look at the characteristics of each interview.
 

Presentation Interview

The presentation interview at a foreign company takes the form of a presentation by the candidate on a specific topic or theme and evaluates the candidate's content and skills. For example, you may be asked to share the strengths and weaknesses of a product called A in advance, and construct presentation materials accordingly.
Additionally, in some cases, candidates are asked to clearly explain their own ideas and solutions within a given time frame and respond to questions and suggestions for revisions

Loop Interviews

Loop interviews are a form of individual interviewing with multiple interviewers or teams and tend to be conducted when there are multiple hiring decision makers.
For example, three to six interviews are repeated to determine the successful candidate collegially.
Although the number of interviews is high and the process can be difficult, it also has the advantage of allowing the applicant to communicate with other members of the team.

Case Interview

In the case interview, a case study of a real business situation or problem is presented and the candidate is asked to propose a solution. Candidates are asked to analyze the information provided and "demonstrate logical thinking and problem-solving skills. This type of interview is also used to evaluate a candidate's ability to deal with real business situations.
For example, the interviewer may be asked to describe issues and solutions to the candidate based on materials describing specific business activities, sales, etc.
 

In this article, we introduced the "Hiring Process of Foreign Affiliated Companies" and "Key Points of Interviews at Foreign Affiliated Companies.
There are some differences in the hiring process between foreign-affiliated companies and Japanese-affiliated companies.
For example, foreign-affiliated companies tend to communicate more closely, so interviews are more frequent and the content of the interview is very important.
Therefore, it is very important to prepare in advance for the interview at a foreign company. If you want to prepare well in advance, consult with a recruitment agent specializing in foreign-capitalized companies to make sure you are in good shape.