Preparation for job interviews in Japan

Every country has its own style for job interviews. It is better to adjust their culture where you have the interview. Here are the tips for a job interview in Japan. Also, there are typical questions the interviewers ask in Japanese, so you better prepare the answers before the interviews.

Preparation before the interview

1. Research the company
Before the interview date, it is important to research the company as much as you can. Understanding of Company’s core business, vision and mission are necessary. You can find the articles about the company on the internet, so please read them as many as you can.

2. Dress Code and grooming
Unless the company points out the dress code, you can wear anything. However, usually, you should wear business suits if the position is involved with clients. Also, you have better dress up with clean hairstyles, clothes, shoes, and bags to make a good impression. If positions are such as IT engineers who don’t communicate with clients face to face, it is not necessary to wear business suits. Casual clothes are fine.

3. Time to arrive
It is difficult to find a company building even for Japanese people, using an online map. You better have time to spare in order to visit the company at the right time. Sometimes, people come to the company too early even though there are no waiting rooms. So, please come to the company 10 minutes before the interview. In case you face an accident and get late for the interview, please call the company or recruiter.

At the interview

It is good manners to take off your coat, backpack, and hat before you arrive at the interview site and finish the reception. Please take off your coat, hang it on your arm, remove your rucksack and hat, and hold it with one hand before going to the reception.
The same applies not only to interviews but also to visits the company on business.
Before the interview starts, in the interview room, you do not have to keep standing and waiting for the interviewers, but please stand up when the interviewers come into the room. If they say their name, you answer back your name and bow. You sit on after the interview sitting on the chair.

Other important points.

- Reply to the interviewer with a cheerful smile and voice.
- Please sit in a chair in a correct posture and do not cross your legs or put your elbows on the armrest.
- You can make a mistake in Japanese, so be confident and tell the other person clearly.
- If you can't hear or do not understand the interviewer's question, ask 「もう一度お願いします」 and 「ご質問の内容は〇〇という意味でよろしいですか?」
- It's not good to say bad things about your current company or your boss in a Japanese interview. Avoid negative remarks and try to give positive answers.
When you receive a business card, place it straight on the left side of the receiving desk with both hands. It is impolite to immediately put the business card in your pocket or wallet and or place a mobile phone on a business card.
Please listen to the interviewer's questions and answers to the end, and when the interviewer is done, start talking. Also, be careful not to make your answer or story too long.
It is okay to ask about employment conditions such as holidays and overtime, but if you ask only or too many employment conditions, which makes a bad impression to the interviewer.

Typical questions the interviewer ask

People often tend to speak too much. It is important to emphasize the points properly and listen carefully to the interviewer's questions. There are typical questions the interviewers ask. Please prepare the answers and practice before the interview.

Q1. 自己紹介をお願いします。
自己紹介は長くなり過ぎないように。名前、年齢、出身、学歴、職歴、自分の性格、強み、応募動機を伝え、30秒~1分以内で簡潔に伝えましょう。

Q2. なぜ日本に来ましたか?
「日本語を学びに」「日本文化に興味があって」という回答だけではあなたの考え方が伝わりにくいので、具体的な理由やきっかけを伝えましょう。

Q3. 今までの経歴(職歴)を教えてください。
どのようなキャリアを積んできたか概要を聞くこと面接官の意図なので、1つの経歴に対し30秒~1分程度で簡潔に伝えましょう。具体例な実績や成果を数字で伝えると尚よいでしょう。

Q4. 仕事をするうえで大切にしていることはありますか?
「常に相手の立場にたち行動をする」など、仕事に対する心がまえやあなたの考えを伝えましょう。

Q5. 転職理由(前職を辞めた理由)を教えてください。
辞めた理由として前職の不平不満、会社や上司の悪口を言うのはやめましょう。今後のキャリアにつながる、ポジティブな回答をしましょう。

Q6. この会社 or 仕事への志望動機を教えてください
事前にしっかりと会社や仕事について調べ、なぜあなたが応募したいか理由を伝えましょう。

Q7. 当社でやりたいこと、挑戦したいことは何ですか?
会社や仕事を通して実現したいこと、挑戦したいことを伝えましょう。

Q8. ご自身の強み・弱みをお聞かせください。
「長所・短所」という言い方をすることもあります。
あなたの性格で良いと思うところ・悪いと思うところ、仕事で得意なこと・苦手なことを整理して伝えましょう。

Q9. 今後のキャリアプランをお聞かせください。
入社後に活躍できそうかどうか、キャリアビジョンの方向性を見る質問です。具体的な話し方としては「1年後・5年後・10年後」の3つの時間軸でプランを伝えると良いでしょう。
どの会社も3年以上にあなたに勤めてほしいと思っているので、1〜2年くらいで転職する予定と伝えるのはやめましょう。

Q10. なにか質問はありますか?
必ず面接の最後で聞かれる質問です。会社のホームページや求人票に載っていることを聞くと「何も会社について調べていない」と思われてしまうので、しっかりとその会社や業界についても調べて5つ程度質問は用意しましょう。

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