Izanau
Beta
  • English
  • 日本語
  • 中文
  • Articles
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Candidates
  • About
  • Students
  • 企業向け
  • 企業向け
  • FAQ
  • Work Tips
  • Life Tips
  • Register
  • Log In
日本語 中文
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Business Etiquette
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+

Japanese interview manners: from fail to A+

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Nail your interviews and land the job of your dreams in Japan

Work Japanjapanese companybusiness culturejapanese working environmentjob-huntingetiquetteInterview
Japanese interview manners: from fail to A+

You have a job interview, congrats! You brushed up your profile, submitted your application to the openings that fitted you the best and waited patiently for the interview invitation. However, maybe your Japanese working etiquette is not your strongest point (yet). Don't panic - the IZANAU team comes to the rescue! We have prepared our best tips for helping you to pass a job interview in Japan with the highest grades and get that dream job of yours!

Knowledge is power

You likely did some research while preparing your application but we highly suggest you learn more about the company’s objective, mission, and business culture. Japanese companies are more inclined to hire candidates with a similar working outlook, so being on the right tone may be a big plus when it comes to an interview. And even further, you may be recruited even if you don’t fit exactly the profile but fit perfectly the mindset! That will provide you with some hints of what to expect of the interview and of your -hopefully- future job.

Dress to impress

We can’t highlight enough how important is to be fluent in the business attire language. According to the research published by Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov, it takes only seven seconds to build a first impression of someone - and there are no second chances here! Dress-code in Japanese companies is quite formal, so your appearance must fit the situation. If you don’t have a suit or an appropriate outfit, UNIQLO, GU, or similar retailers are your life savers (and you can stay on your budget!).

On time… or even before

Arrive the interview place 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Check in advance how to get to the office and make sure you have time enough to deal with unexpected, last-minute issues (from delayed trains to coffee stains in your shirt - Murphy’s law can be cruel sometimes). We would recommend you to keep the telephone number of the company close to you, so you can make a call in case you're late for any reason. Once you arrive, politely greet everyone you meet - from receptionists to your interviewer. If you wear a coat, take it off before accessing the building and hold it in your hand.

Never too polite

Politeness is deeply rooted in the Japanese spirit, so mastering the basics will make your life easier and will increase your chances to success in a job interview.Knock the door three times and wait until you have permission to enter. Close the door behind you, say 失礼します(shitsureishimasu, excuse me), and briefly introduce yourself. Wait for permission to sit down and then sit up straight with legs together and hands on your lap. If the interviewer gives you a 名刺 (meishi, business card), accept it with both hands along the edges.

We can’t talk about politeness and forget about bowing. In Japan, お辞儀 (ojigi, bowing) is an art in itself. How to bow - and most essential, how not to bow - requires a deep knowledge of the Japanese culture. Performing a bow correctly will show your interviewer that you have been doing your homework, even if as a foreigner you aren't expected to do it perfectly. More importantly, don’t bow too much as it may seems inappropriate.

Introduce yourself

No matter if you're doing the interview in Japanese or in another language: the first thing you will probably be asked to do is to introduce yourself. Prepare a short monologue that covers both your latest work experience and academic record. You can add some personal data, such as your hobbies or the reasons that led you to apply for this job or leave in Japan. Other common questions in Japanese job interviews you might be asked about are:

  • Could you please tell us more about your background?
  • When/why did you come to Japan?
  • Why did you resign from your former job? / Why do you want to change jobs?
  • How can your skills contribute to the company?
  • Why do you want to work for this company?
  • What do you think is your biggest strength/weakness?
  • How is your Japanese level?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10?

The final touch

Before leaving, bow as you step out and tuck your chair in - that shows you have an eye for details and a careful nature. Don’t forget to smile and say goodbye to the interviewer and the people you may encounter on your way back. On the same day, send a thank you email to all of your interviewers and now it's time to cross your fingers and wait for the ultimate resolution. If your application becomes dismissed, take it as a chance to improve professionally - never forget that your dream job is out of there waiting for you!

Have you started practicing your bows? Register on IZANAU and create your profile right now.

  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
About the Author
Ana Maria Benita Martinez

Half writer, half reader. Tokyo based and deeply in love with - you can easily find me meandering around Shibuya or Shin-Okubo. Communication and marketing assistant by day, video game localizer by night.

  • Latest Jobs
ドローンサービスのフロント・バックエンド業務
Other IT, Communications
DAIYASERVICE Inc.
ドローンによる空撮・インフラ点検・実証実験のフロントおよびバックエンドの業務を担当頂きたいと思います。かなり多岐に渡りますので、マルチタスクが好きな方を歓迎します。その他、ブロックコーディングソフト「Scratch」を使用したプログラミング教室の講師のお仕事もございます。
Monthly Salary ¥20 ~ ¥30
Chiba 千葉市花見川区
Full-time
Apply Now
Brand Ambassador
Business Consulting, Think-tanks
INS Global KK
Type of contract: commission only Supervisor: Operations Manager Work Location: Japan - Remote Work (Office based in Tokyo)
Tokyo Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku
Not applicable
Apply Now
English teacher for kids in Gifu prefecture
Education, Training
英会話スクールWin
We are currently accepting applications for a position of a new part-time native English Instructor. We are a fun but professional organization and give students practical English lessons. We are looking for somebody to ...
Monthly Salary ¥160K ~ ¥190K
Gifu 可児市皐ケ丘4-13
Part-time
Apply Now
Latest Articles
  • Monday, October 26, 2020
  • Labor Shortages in Japan (July 2020 Statistics)

  • Friday, October 16, 2020
  • What Might Japan’s Energy Future Look Like?

  • Thursday, October 8, 2020
  • Jobs in Japan During a Global Pandemic

  • Sunday, September 6, 2020
  • Discrimination and Stigma in Japanese Society: The Case of COVID-19

  • Tuesday, August 4, 2020
  • Racism Denial: The Case of Japan

  • Friday, July 17, 2020
  • Labor Shortages in Japan (May 2020 Statistics)

  • Tuesday, June 23, 2020
  • Homelessness, Social Stigma, and Fringes of Japanese Society

  • Monday, June 8, 2020
  • Gambling, Pachinko and the Impact of the COVID-19

  • Friday, June 5, 2020
  • Government Support for International Students and Foreigners Living in Japan During the Coronavirus

  • Monday, May 18, 2020
  • COVID-19 and University Life in Japan

  • Saturday, May 9, 2020
  • How to Apply for the ¥100,000 Coronavirus Government Support Money

  • Wednesday, May 6, 2020
  • To Those Who Have Lost Their Jobs Because of the State of Emergency In Japan

  • Wednesday, April 29, 2020
  • What is it like being LGBT in Japan?

  • Friday, April 24, 2020
  • ¥100,000 Japanese Government Support Money. Do you qualify?

  • Thursday, April 23, 2020
  • Visas and Government Support for Foreigners During the Coronavirus in Japan

  • Thursday, April 16, 2020
  • Why Can’t Japan Work From Home?

  • Friday, April 3, 2020
  • Japan Coronavirus Information Site List by Prefecture (Phone Consultations Available)

  • Monday, March 30, 2020
  • Job Search Support for International Students in Japan

  • Tuesday, March 24, 2020
  • The Coronavirus and the Olympics

  • Thursday, March 12, 2020
  • What to do during Volcanic Eruptions in Japan

  • Wednesday, March 4, 2020
  • Qualifying for the Highly Skilled Foreign Professional Visa Schedule (1) in Japan

  • Thursday, February 27, 2020
  • What to do when you miss the last train home in Japan

  • Friday, February 21, 2020
  • Viral and Vulnerable: Japan and the Coronavirus

  • Tuesday, February 18, 2020
  • Japan’s Future: Will they embrace their hāfu population?

  • Wednesday, February 12, 2020
  • Jobs with Labor Shortages in Japan, Ranked (2019) January 2020 Update

  • Thursday, February 6, 2020
  • Hāfu: What it means to Japanese in a Changing Japan

  • Saturday, November 30, 2019
  • A Beginner’s Guide to the Labyrinth of Dating Apps in Japan

  • Thursday, November 21, 2019
  • Racing with Marriage - A Peculiar Trend of Modern Japan

  • Friday, November 1, 2019
  • Cost of living in Japan: Housing

  • Thursday, October 31, 2019
  • MyMizu App - Water tapping app in Japan

See All Articles

Work in Japan, Enjoy Japan

Finding a job abroad may seem challenging, but Izanau is here to make the process simple. Register now and you're one step closer to enjoying your new life in Japan.
Register your account

Jobs In Japan Made Simple
Copyright © 2021 Active Gaming Media. All Rights Reserved
About Izanau
  • Contact Us
SiteMap
  • Articles
  • Jobs
  • Companies
  • Candidates
Terms of Use
  • For Candidates
  • For Corporations
Privacy
  • Privacy Policy
IZANAUパートナープログラム
  • 紹介会社様はこちら
IZANAUパートナープログラム
  • 外国人材を紹介したい方はこちら
Sign Up
  • For Candidates
  • For Corporations
Language
  • English
  • 日本語
  • 中文
Follow Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Izanau.