Guideline: Prepare For a Full-time Job Interview in Japan | Guidable - Your Guide to a Sustainable, Wellbeing-centred Life in Japan

Guideline: Prepare For a Full-time Job Interview in Japan

By Tony Tao Oct 14, 2020

Full-time Job Interview in Japan: Basic Preparations and Notes

Ready to grab some necessary preparations for the full-time job interview – the very first step in your road of building a career in Japan yet?

In fact, Shuukatsu – the job hunting process in Japan, as well as the full-time interview process both have a very structured schedule, but everything has changed since the pandemic began. Many managers and HR departments have switched to new online recruiting approaches to protect future jobs during the chaos. Moreover, the threat of CoronaVirus also leads to an increase in the high demand in Japan’s online market jobs. Here is a full guideline about work from home in Japan (the online interview process guide is also attached!)

Also, to help you prepare for your next job interview in Japan, be sure to download our free job interview checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything! Download now here!

And now, let’s get into some necessary preparations you need to know for a full-time job interview in Japan!

Check out this guideline in case you need helps in preparing before a part-time job interview.

Check out this guideline in case you are interested in having an Internship program in Japan.

Do you want to become an English teacher in Japan? Check out this guideline and Job offers!

面接の入退室時のチェックポイント (Noted Points When Entering and Leaving The Room in The Full-time Job Interview in Japan)

面接のマナー (Behavior Rules During the Full-time Job Interview in Japan)

Side notes 

– Checking the company information, philosophy in advance.

– Practicing an assigned demo with another person (several times).

– Assuming you are being evaluated all the time by everyone in the building

From the staff that picked you up to the guy on the elevator, everyone you meet may have a say in you being employed or not. Be respectful and polite to everyone you meet at the company interview! 

– Be careful with the time (discuss belows)

Essential Documents

Often handwritten resumes, or “rirekisho” (履歴書) in Japanese, are a requirement when applying for a job at nearly all Japanese companies

Bring a copy of your well-prepared CV (more than one to back up) with a Japanese standard ID photo attached as well as the Residence Card (在留カード) – Zairyu Kado and/or Passport and basic stationery such as notebook and Pen to memorize key things.

Full-time job interview preparation

Check out how to write a rirekisho – Japanese Resume with Templates included!

Other than handwritten resume and cover letter, you could bring a printed business card as well. Business cards are still playing a significant role in the Japanese business culture and can leave a positive impression.

Last but not least, make sure your phone is 100% full charged, backup charger, watch

“Dress to Impress” – Proper Dress in a Full-time Interview 

Did you know there is an official job-hunting suit in Japan?  Most university graduate recruits all purchase identical black suits for job hunting, and even people who are making a mid-career change will don a black “job hunting” suit for their interviews.

However, times are slowly changing and dress codes are becoming slightly more relaxed in recent days.  But for an interview, it is better to stay on the safe side and dress more formal, and conservative than you may normally.

This doesn’t mean you need to go out and purchase a luxurious “job hunting” suit right away. Commonly, men interviewing for a full-time position should wear a black suit, a dark-colored tie (a tie is necessary), a white-collar shirt, black shoes with black socks. 

Better be well dressed!

Women are recommended to wear black suits (skirts or pants), white-collar shirts, black heels, and skin-tone or black stockings. But please keep in mind to stay away from overly high heels.

Japanese men are expected to be clean-shaven for interviews, and women are expected to stay away from heavy makeup or unnecessarily complicated hairstyles. In fact, many graduate students dye their hair back to its original color in preparing for the Shuukatsu – job-hunting season in Japan. The purpose is to look clean and professional.

Be Strategic With Your Timing – Be Early but Not Late! 

In Japan, early is on time, and on time is late. To a typical Japanese interview, always be early. 

Trying to arrive at least thirty minutes early, which could give you some time to grab a cup of coffee nearby, relax your nerves, and comfortably enter ten to fifteen minutes before the starting time of the interview.

To a typical Japanese interview, always be early. 

Grab yourself a cup of coffee to calm your nervousness

Prepare for the worst — train delays, accidents, and stormy weather can occur anytime. If the worst happens, and you know you’re going to be delayed, calmly contact the recruiter as soon as you know, and give them plenty of time to reschedule the meeting. 

Avoid coming more than 15 to 20 minutes early; you could be interrupting the workers or the recruiter from their usual workflow. If possible, try to arrive about 10-15 minutes early.

Preparing for Your Full-time Job Interview in Japan!

The Guidable team does hope that you found this article as a supportive piece of information, helping you grab the best preparation before the full-time job interview! After all, all of our activities are aiming for a better life for foreigners in Japan!  

To ensure you’re prepared and haven’t forgotten anything important leading up to your interview, download our free job interview checklist here or by clicking the image below! Download the image and save it to your phone or device to stay on track!

japanese job interview checklist