Job Hunting

The rirekisho is Japan’s traditional resume format — handwritten, formatted, and unlike anything you’ve submitted before. Getting it wrong signals lack of attention to detail before you’ve even had an interview. Here’s how to complete one properly. What Is a Rirekisho? A rirekisho is a standardized Japanese résumé on a single A3 sheet folded in half. Unlike a Western CV where you design your own layout, Japanese companies expect a specific format — either handwritten or typed using official templates. ...

Quick Answer The best job sites for foreigners in Japan are GaijinPot Jobs, Daijob (bilingual roles), LinkedIn Japan, and TokyoDev (tech). Japanese language (N2 level) dramatically expands your options, but many tech and international companies hire English-only candidates. Job hunting in Japan as a foreigner is not like job hunting anywhere else. The market has real demand for foreign talent — but you need to know where to look and how to present yourself. Here’s a practical guide to finding work in Japan. ...

Shukkatsu — Japan’s new graduate job hunting season — operates on a calendar and process that shocks most foreigners encountering it for the first time. It is highly structured, starts earlier than you’d expect, and has its own rituals and expectations. Here’s how to navigate it as a foreign student or graduate. What Is Shukkatsu? Shukkatsu is the system where Japanese companies recruit new graduates (新卒, shinsotsu) in a coordinated nationwide process. Key features: ...

What you'll learn in this guide What to wear, how to bow, and what to say when you walk in the door The 5 most common Japanese interview questions — with model answers in English How to explain your “reason for applying” (志望動機) the way Japanese interviewers want to hear it What happens after the interview and how the Japanese hiring process works Special considerations for foreign candidates at Japanese companies Quick Answer Japanese job interview basics: wear a dark suit (black/navy/charcoal), arrive 5–10 minutes early (never late), bow 30 degrees when greeting. The 5 questions every interviewer asks: (1) jiko shōkai — 1–2 minute self-introduction, (2) shibo douki — why specifically this company (not just the industry), (3) strengths and weaknesses with examples, (4) where you see yourself in 3–5 years, (5) describe a challenge you overcame. Multiple rounds (2–4) are standard. Send a thank-you email the same day. Business Japanese (JLPT N2+) is expected at most traditional Japanese companies; tech and international firms often interview in English. ...