All You Need To
Know About
Job Hunting inJapan!

Job Hunting
Guide for
International
Students

2024
Independent Administrative Institution
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)

Job Hunting Guide for International Students 2024 is available as PDF
data. If you wish to download one, please access the listed URL.

Japanese（外国人留学生のための就活ガイド）
URL:https://www.jasso.go.jp/ryugaku/after_study_j/job/guide.html

English（Job Hunting Guide for International Students）
URL:https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/after_study_j/job/guide.html

Contents

Before Starting to Job Hunt in Japan
Job Hunting in Japan
Online Job Hunting
Job Hunting Schedule
Employment Situation of International Students
What Japanese Companies Expect

Preparing for Job Hunting Activities

2
4
6
8
10
11
12

Self-analysis and Evaluation
13
COLUMN ❶Collecting Information on Job Hunting
17
Researching Industries
18
Researching Companies
22
Researching Job Types
24
COLUMN ❷Make Full Use of Employment Support
32
Companies and Websites for International
Students
Visiting Alumni
33Internships
34
Job Hunting Manners ❶ Dress and Grooming to Give a Good
36
Impression
Job Hunting Manners ❷ Manners to Make a Good Impression ①
38
Job Hunting Manners ❸ Manners to Make a Good Impression ②
40
COLUMN ❸Cost of Job Hunting
42

From Application to Document Screening 43
Applications
Company Briefing Sessions
Application Documents

44
45
47

From Screening Tests and Job
Offers to Joining a Company

52

Written Tests
Interviews
COLUMN ❹Tips for the Second Half of Your Job
Hunting Process

Job Offers to Joining a Company
Job Hunting Activities after Graduating
Before Starting WorkThe Voice of Former International Students

Changing Your Status of Residence
Application for Change of Status of Residence
Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
Specified Skilled Worker
Designated Activities
COLUMN ❺Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment
for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals

Job Hunting Reports

53
57
62
63
64
65
67
68
69
70
73
74
75
76

Before Starting to Job
Many aspects of job hunting in Japan are unfamiliar for international students. It appears that many
that are job hunting are at a disadvantage compared to Japanese students.
Before starting to job hunt, make sure you understand the following two points.

POINT

POINT

Understand Japan’s

Gain Japanese skills forunique job hunting activity and schedulebusiness scenes

First, start by understanding thecharacteristics of job hunting in Japan andhow the process is different from yourown country. Although the schedule varies
by each company, job hunting activities
in Japan usually start with applications,company briefing sessions, written tests,
and other activities in March the year
before graduation—while still in school.
Preparation such as internships, industry
research, and self-analysis must be started
even earlier. It makes a difference tounderstand the job hunting process, how
job hunting works early on, and to startnecessary preparations.

What companies look for in international
students is their "Japanese ability" and"communication skills". Japanese language
ability is essential in order to explain
yourself properly at interviews.

12■ Skills/traits which employers consider
to be important when hiring
international students
Skill/Trait

Japanese language skills
Communication skills
Vitality
Enthusiasm
Specialization
English language skills
Imagination
Leadership
University attended
University academic record

Manufacturingindustry（%）

Nonmanufacturingindustry（%）

64.8
55.2
41.9
28.6
26.7
19.0
14.3
9.5
4.8
1.9

75.7
65.4
33.6
29.0
22.4
11.2
14.0
7.5
3.7
1.9

From Survey on Career and Retention for International Students(Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, 2012)

As you can see from the graph on the next page, international students who experienced job-hunting
were troubled in areas such as "not understanding the system of Japanese job hunting" and "notknowing how to research industries and companies". They also felt a lack of language ability.
Please use this guidebook to take early action for your job hunting in Japan, and work on gaining
Japanese language skills.

2

Hunt in Japan
Difficulties experienced during job hunting
Didn’t know about the job
hunting system in Japan

What international students felt they werelacking while job hunting in Japan

33.8

Didn’t know how to researchindustries or companies
I was unclear about my workduties after entering thecompany
I didn’t know what kind ofpeople the company waslooking forLack of understanding about
Japanese corporate culture

22.7

I found Japanese aptitude andproficiency tests are difficult

32.2
25.5

There are few employment
offers for international students

38.5

The level of Japanese requiredby the company was too high

12.2

0

10

25.2
34.7

Other

2.5

Unknown

1.1
0

3.0

Other

33.8

20

40

60（%）

From Research on Employment Support for International
Students by Japanese Universities(Ministry of Health, Labour,and Welfare, 2014)

7.0

No difficulty in particular

18.8

There was no acquaintance

19.8

I found interviews conductedin Japanese difficult

28.3

Knew of hardly any companies
that could utilize them as an
employee
Didn’t know basic rules andprocesses associated with job
hunting
Lack of understanding about
the skills Japanese companies
expect employees to have

24.8

I didn’t know how to write
documents in Japanese

54.4

Lack of linguistic skills

29.0

20

30

40（%）

From Survey on Career and Retention for International
Students(Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, 2015)

Big changes in job hunting
Due to the spread of COVID-19, job hunting has also changed greatly. Conducting
selection process face-to-face has been difficult, and the number of companies
adopting the selection process online has increased rapidly. As a result, you need tounderstand how to use IT equipment and be fully prepared.

Online company
briefing sessions

Online internship3

Online interview

Job Hunting in JapanJob hunting activities in Japan are very unique and very different from job hunting in your own
country. In order to succeed in job hunting in Japan, it is important to know about the recruitment
circumstances in Japan.

Features of Job Hunting in Japan■ Simultaneous job hunting
Many companies in Japan commence their recruitment activities with the same schedule. The job hunting
schedule for the employment of graduates scheduled for 2024 starts with accepting applications forms on
March 1st, 2023. The selection will start on June 1st.

■ Simultaneous Recruitment of New Graduates
The employment of people who recently graduated from university, graduate school, vocational schools andother such schools, and who are seeking employment for the first time is called “Simultaneous recruitmentof new graduates”. Job hunting activities in Japan involve this unique style of recruiting new graduates, andthe recruitment method adopted by companies involves the simultaneous recruitment of students who arescheduled to graduate every year. Companies commence their recruitment activities while the students arestill studying at school. In "recruitment of past graduates" , the number of companies that you can apply toand the number of applicants may decrease greatly.

■ Joining the Company in April
In Japan, st udents generally star t theirstudies in university and vocational schoolsin April and graduate in March. Becauseof this, students in Japan who graduate in
March join a company and begin working
from April 1st.

■ Potentiality-Based Recruitment
T he potent ialit y-based recr u it ment
means hi r ing person nel based on thei r
p ot e nt ial for g row t h af t e r joi n i ng t hecompany, even if they can't play an activerole immediately with work-ready skills.
T he refore, compa n ie s t h i n k h ig h ly ofcommunication skills, individuality, spiritof challenge, and cooperativeness that they
have. In "recruitment of new graduates", the"potentiality-based recruitment" is adopted
more often than "mid-career recruitment"that requires work-ready skills.

■ The key points in the selection process (choose five)82.4

Communication Skills
64.3

Individuality
Spirit of Challenge

48.9

Cooperativeness

47.0
43.4

Integrity

35.2

Stress Tolerance
Logical Thinking

23.6

Sense of Responsibility

22.1

Problem-Solving Skills

19.8

Leadership

17.1

Flexibility

15.0

Potential

13.5

Expertise

12.0

Creativity

11.1
10.9

Reliability

6.5

Common Sense
Language Skills

6.2

Course History / Academic Grade

4.4

Overseas Study Experience

0.5
3.9

Other
0

20

40

60

80

100（%）

From FY2018 Survey Into Graduate Employment（The Japan Business Federation）

4

Employment System in Japan■ Lifetime Employment System
The lifetime employment system refers to the style in which a person is employed by the same company from thetime they are still new graduates until retirement (60 years old, although this differs between companies). Although
this is not clearly stated within employment contracts under normal circumstances, it is customarily expected inJapan that new recruits and companies tacitly agree to this. That's why it is important for new graduates to join thecompany immediately after graduation, and "hiring new graduates" has become the mainstream in Japan.

■ Seniority-Based System
This refers to a system in which employees are assigned positions and salary increases in accordance with
the number of years they have worked for the company and their age. The system is based on the prerequisitethat employees will accumulate work skills and know-how the longer they work for the company and theolder they get, and that these skills and know-how will be reflected back on the company performance inthe long run. However, recently there have been many companies switching to a performance-based systemafter a certain period of time.

The Changing Style of Employment
The employment system described above is a common practice in Japan, but there is a movement to review
the traditional employment system. The impact of COVID-19 has also accelerated it.
Some companies have changed from the conventional "Membership-Based Employment" approach, inwhich work is assigned to employees, to "Job-Based Employment" in which people are assigned to work.

■ Membership-Based Employment
A style of employment that does not limit duties, place of work, or working hours. The main feature ofthis style of employment is that people are evaluated in accordance with their ability to perform all duties
as generalists. This is a style of employment typical in Japan in which companies offer unlimited workin exchange for stable employment and treatment. Companies employ large numbers of new graduates
simultaneously, provide OJT (On-the-Job Training) and internal training courses to ensure that they havethe knowledge and experience necessary to perform their jobs. The main feature of this style of employment
is that the jobs and workplaces they are assigned are not predetermined, so they can be relocated to any
position at the discretion of the company. Owing to this, there is a possibility that recruits will not be
assigned to the job and workplace that they desire. This style of employment means that the jobs offered in
employee recruitment information are titled as “general work”.

■ Job-Based Employment
A style of employment that limits duties and place of work, etc. The main feature of this style of employment isthat the job description is clearly defined and that capabilities are evaluated in accordance with skill levels as
specialists. The continuation of employment and treatment is determined in accordance with job continuity
and job performance, and it is the most common style of employment mainly in Western countries. It
enables companies to secure capable workers with high levels of expertise. However, because workers areon a contract basis covering a specific area of work, contracts are terminated without the workers being
reassigned to other work in the event that the duties they perform are no longer required due to changes
in the company’s financial status or policy. This means that Job-Based Employment poses a higher risk of
becoming unemployed than Membership-Based Employment.
5

Online Job Hunting
The spread of COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way people look for jobs. Many companies
have implemented online company briefings, internships and interviews.

Benefits● There is no need to go to the company and no transportation costs.
● It doesn't take much time to travel, which helps you to use your time efficiently.
●Y ou'll have more chances of attending company briefing sessions and interviews, thanks tosavings in transportation and travel time.
●B eing able to do so these online in a familiar environment, such as your own room, may help
reduce psychological stress.

Disadvantages● V iewing and talking conditions may be affected by the communication environment of thePC, smartphone or tablet, and the specifications of the device.
●S ince you won't physically visit the company, you are not able to feel the real atmosphereof the company, the employees, and other students in the session. Also, you are not able tosee the office itself●S ince it's done through a screen, there are some people who are worried whether theirindividuality is conveyed to the interviewer

Notes■ Place・Prepare a stable communication such as Wi-Fi.
・Take into account lighting and natural light conditions, andadjust the brightness to avoid unappealing glare on your face.
・Make sure there is nothing unnecessar y shown in the
background・Attend sessions in a quiet environment to avoid unnecessary
noise.

■ Equipment
・ Computers, smartphones, and tabletsY ou can use any of them, but we recommend using acomputer because the screen is big and it can be more stable to place.

・ CameraIf your device doesn't have a camera, you'll need an external webcam.

・ Earphones, microphonesE arphones with microphones make it easier to hear the other per son's voice andcommunicate your own voice clearly6Troubleshooting■ Unstable internet connection
If there is a Wi-Fi issue, try turning the connected devices off and on or by putting the devices in a different place.
In case you are concerned about the communication environment at home, consider using school Wi-Fi or
personal computers.

■ Your computer broke down
You can also participate from your smartphone or tablet. Let's prepare to be able to communicate on aspare device in advance.

■ Cannot hear the sound or see the video
If there is no communication environment issue, the problem is often simple, such as device application
settings being muted, the video settings are off, or the camera is turned off. Use the apps, etc., in advanceto see how to set it up and use it. When you practice an online interview, make sure to get used to using
Zoom and Skype which lots of companies use for interviews.

■ Cannot access the interview link the company provided
Make sure the URL or passcode is correct, and try again. You need to update to the latest version before
using the app.
If you encounter a problem such as a connection problem during an interview, contact
the person in charge via the chat function or phone. It is important to check theconnection and prepare for the interview in advance.

<Bad example><Good example>

Background…Various distractions in the background.
Brightness…D ark.The expression is not clear,doesn't look motivated.
Sound…Lots of noise, your voice cannot be heard
clearly.

Background…C lean and avoid showing anything
unnecessary.
Brightness…B right, your facial expression can beseen clearly, look motivated.
Sound…Quiet, your voice can be heard clearly.
7

Job Hunting Schedule
Hypothetical Job Hunting Schedule for FY 2024
June

July

AugustSeptember

OctoberNovember

DecemberJanuary

February[Job Hunting Schedule]
Take internships(P34)

What does "employment in FY 2024" mean?
"Nendo," or the fiscal year, is the annual division established for the purpose of identifying
specific goals. Most Japanese companies regard April 1 to March 31 of the following year as
the fiscal year. With regards to this, since hiring activities may run on a different schedule thanthat of the fiscal year, companies will generally record hiring schedule in the fiscal year thehired persons actually start working. For example, college juniors may start job hunting in thefall of 2022, but will not be able to enter companies until 2024. Therefore, many companies
will notate them as being employed in 2024. The information on job hunting websites will
also be listed as "2024." The title of this guidebook is also labeled "2024" as the information
pertaining to job hunting is geared for positions that start in 2024.

● JLPT(Japanese-Language Proficiency Test)● JLPT(Japanese-Language Proficiency Test)[University Schedule]● Periodic test ● Summer vacation● Periodic test ● Spring vacation[Getting prepared]● Register on recruiting websites

Self-analysis and evaluation(P13)
Examining Industries (P18),Examining Company (P22),Examining Job Types(P24), Visiting Alumni

Application documents preparation(P47),■ Employment for September Graduates
On the simultaneous recruitment calendar, September graduates will take theiremployment tests as new graduates at the same time as students graduating six months
later.
With many companies, graduating in September and getting a job offer still means thatthe actual start of employment is in April the following year. With some companies, thestart is in October. Make sure to confirm this in advance.
8

The key is to start early and gather information!
International students tend to start job hunting later than Japanese students. Begin job
hunting activities early. This is the key to successfully finding employment in Japan.
First, let's look at what you need to do and when you need to do it.

March

April

May

● Start of PR activities

June

July

AugustSeptember October● Start of screening activities

Joint briefing sessions andseminars/Company briefing sessions

November December January● Start of provision of official job offers

Students that have notbeen hired by October
1st and companies thathave not been able tohire students by thattime continue with job
hunting/hiring activities.

(P45)

Applications(P44)
Submission of your application form
(P47)
Aptitude tests(P54)
Written tests and interviews
(P53)
(P57)
Provisional job offer(official job offers are from October)

Change of status of residence

(P68)

（P63）

● JLPT(Japanese-Language Proficiency Test)● JLPT(J a p a n e s e - L a n g u a g e
Proficiency Test)● Periodic test ● Summer vacation ● Graduate school entrance examination(P33)
Written Test tips(P53)Interview tips(P57)■ Year-Round Recruitment
Most companies recruit new graduates simultaneously to star t employment inApril,assuming graduation in March for job hunting by new graduates. However, an
increasing number of companies, mostly foreign and IT companies, are offering yearround recruitment, where they hire throughout the year. The increasing trend is expected
to continue.
9

Employment Situation ofInternational Students
Number of international students intending to work in Japan
As of May 1, Reiwa 3 (2021), the number ofinternational students is 242,444. The numberof international students in regular courses atuniversities and junior colleges and vocational
schools is increasing. (according to the Japan
Student Services Organization (JASSO))
In Reiwa 2 (2020) a total of 34,183 international
students applied for a change of status of residence
for the pur pose of employment at Japanesecompanies. Of these, 29,689 were approved.
You need to make sure your Change of Status ofResidence application fully meets the requirements
to avoid rejection.

■ Changes in the number of applications frominternational students intending to work
Number of applications

Number of visas approved(Number of people)

35,000

Number of visas denied

38,71130,924 30,947
27,92630,00034,18329,68925,00025,942
21,89822,41917,08819,435
14,17015,00012,793
15,657
11,698
11,410 11,789
10,23012,9589,143
8,467
10,00010,969 11,647
7,764
10,262 11,040 9,584
5,507
7,831 8,586
5,000
2,463
1,148 749 646 636 557 729 1,146 1,212 1,431
4,982
4,494

20,000From The Employment of International Students by JapaneseCompanies in 2020 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)

Heisei19 Heisei20 Heisei21 Heisei22 Heisei233 Heisei24 Heisei25 Heisei26 Heisei27 Heisei28 Heisei29 Heisei30 Reiwa1 Reiwa2
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Sizes of companies where international students find employment
Since international students deeply desire to work
for a large company, many of them want to enter afamous company. As can be seen according to thedata in the graph on the right, approximately 80%
find employment at small-to-mid-sized companies
which have less than 1,000 employees and about
the half of them find employment at small-tomidsized companies with less than 100 employees.
In addition to serving as subcontractors forlarge companies, many Japanese small-to-midsized companies are outstanding, holding worldleading technologies and the highest market
shares. Job seekers can expand their employment
opportunities by researching what companies doin addition to their sizes.

■ Percentages of international students engaged
in employment by company size
1 to 49 employees
50 to 99 employees

4.5%

100 to 299 employees
300 to 999 employees

12.6%

1,000 to 1,999 employees

38.5%

5.9%

2,000 or more employees
Other/Unkown

12.1%

15.7%

10.7%

From The Employment of International Students by JapaneseCompanies in 2020 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)

Industries and job types at places of employment
Many international students
work in wholesale andretail industries, and manyof them work in translationand interpretation.

■ Industries and job content at places of employment
Industry type

Composition ratio (%)

Industry type

Wholesale and retail
18.2
Employment placement and labor outsourcing 7.8
Academic research, professional and technical services 7.6
Information and communications 7.2
Restaurant service
6.3
Medical and welfare
3.9
Construction
3.7
Lodging
3.3
Education
3.2
Finance and insurance 1.3
Real estate and goods leasing 0.9
Transportation and Correspondence Delivery Business 0.2
Other
22.8
Non-manufacturing subtotal 86.5

Composition ratio (%)

Groceries
2.4
Electrical machinery and apparatus 1.8
Metal product1.4
Transportation machinery and equipment 1.4
Machinery and equipment for production 0.9
Plastic product0.8
Textile product
0.4
Other
4.2
Manufacturing subtotal 13.5

From The Employment of International Students by JapaneseCompanies in 2020 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)

10

job Types

Note: Participants
were allowed to choose
multiple answers.
Composition ratio (%)

Translation/Interpretation
20.6
Overseas transactions
8.1
Information processing and information and communications 7.2
Planning (Marketing Research) 6.3
Management/Administrative work 6.1
Technology development
4.9
Corporate sales
4.9
Planning Affairs (Public Relations and Advertising) 4.7
Accounting work
3.0
Education
2.7
Research studies
2.6
Manufacturing control
2.1
CAD Operation
1.9
Other
24.9

What Japanese Companies Expect
Reasons for hiring international students
The first reason why Japanese companies hire international students is "As a result of conducting hiring activities
regardless of applicant's nationality, the international student was hired." T​ his is in accordance with the hiring policy,"secure excellent human resources regardless of nationality". The second reason is the concept of diversity. The
companies aim to stimulate their organizations by deliberately securing employees with varied backgrounds. The
third reason is to hire people who can serve as a bridge between the company and overseas, and develop or expand
their business overseas.
■ Reasons for hiring international students
To cultivate and expand overseas business in the home countries ofinternational students

23.1
44.7

To cultivate and expand overseas business in general
To enhance business by acquiring human resources with specializedskills28.1

To stimulate the workplace by increasing diversity within thecompany

55.8

They were simply hired as a result of passing the selection process
without regard to nationality

55.8
4.0

Because we could not find enough Japanese employees

1.0

Other

0

10

20

30

40

50

60 （%）

From Survey on Career and Retention for International Students(Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, 2015)

Level of Japanese language skills required for international students
Japanese companies focus most on the Japanese skill levels of international students engaged in job hunting activities.
Lots of companies require job-seekers to submit application forms and attend interviews in the hiring process. Sincecompanies consider interviews to be very important, "the ability to understand explanations (listening skills)" and"the ability to communicate about oneself (speaking skills)" are necessary. More than 90% of Japanese companies
expect international students without any English skills to be at Japanese Proficiency Level Test N1 or above at timeof hiring. Although few in number, there are also some companies that will hire English speaking international
students at the N2 level.
No level requirement■ Required Japanese skill level
J1+

With English skills

J3/N2

8.2

38.6

29.8

J3/N2

1.8

J1+

Without English skills
0
J1+
J1
J2/N1
J3/N2
J4/N3

40.6
20

40

1.8

30.0

60

80

Able to sufficiently communicate in Japanese in any business settingAble to adequately communicate in Japanese in a wide range of business settings
Able to adequately communicate in Japanese in a limited amount of business settings
Able to communicate to some extent in Japanese in a limited amount of business settings
Able to communicate at a minimal level in Japanese in a limited amount of business settings

BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test (J1+ to J5)

From Survey on Career and Retention for International Students（Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, 2015)

J4/N3

Take the JLPT or
the BJT Test andget a good score.

J2/N1

J1

25.9

0.6

2.3

J2/N1

J1

20.5

J4/N3

11

100 （%）

Preparing for
Job Hunting Activities
Self-analysis and Evaluation

Job hunting starts with self-analysis and evaluation			

Researching Industries

Examine companies that belong to the industry you are interested in

Researching Companies

Research a company which belongs to the industry you desire		

Researching Job Types

Learning job types and required skills					Visiting Alumni

The best opportunities to hear what working people really think		

Internships

Internships are valuable opportunities to experience working		

12

13

18

22

24

33

34

Self-analysis and Evaluation
Job hunting starts with self-analysis and evaluation❶ To identify your own criteria for the type of job that you want to do, and the type ofjob you are suited to❷ To find out what you should appeal to on an application form or at an interview

Start your self-analysis by looking back on yourself about "Past (so far)" and "Future (from now
on)".
Write down specific episodes from your childhood to the present, suchas "things that were fun", "what you work hard on", "things that werechallenging", and "things that had an impact on you" etc. Looking backon why you think so can be a clue to your suitability for future jobs.

What sort of person do I
want to be?
→ P14・15

Consider your goals and aspirations, write down what /where you want
to be in 3, 5, and 10 years.

What does Japan mean
to me?
→ P15

A naly ze your self as an international student. "Why did you decide to
study in Japan?" "Why do you want to work in Japan?". Organize yourthoughts from the past and the future so that you can answe r in theinterview.

Visiting Alumni

Another way to "know yourself" is to ask people around you, such as friends, how

Examining Job Types

What does my past say
about me?
→ P14

Examining Company

How to analyze and evaluate yourself

Examining Industries

Objectives of self-analysis and evaluation

Self-analysis and
Evaluation

Self-analysis and evaluation involve asking yourself questions regarding your strong and weak
points, preferences, expertise, skills, interests, dreams for the future, values, and outlook on life,
then organizing your thoughts. In other words, self-analysis and evaluation enable you to learn about
yourself in a deeper sense than ever before by gazing back over your past, reflecting on your current
self, and visualizing your ideal future self. It is important not to choose a company because it is afamous or big company, but to look for a job according to your own criteria.

you are perceived and your strengths and weaknesses. By doing so, you will beable to know things about yourself that you didn't realize.
Internships

13

What does my past say about me? — Create your own personal history —Find out more about your past by writing down your own history. By gazing back on your past andwriting down what happened in the past, you can learn what you cherish and what you value.
■ How to create your personal history❶ Write down your experiences and events, what you were good at and what you were not good at,and so on, in each educational background of elementary school, junior high school, high school,
university, and graduate school.
❷W rite down what you thought, what you did, and what you learned from the experience.

Your personal history - Examples
School (Age)Experiences, events, what I was good at,what I was bad at, etc.

Thoughts, actions, and lessons learned
from experiences and events.

Elementary(6-12)

・Played basketball with my friends in thepark almost every day・Learned the joy in achieving something
as a teamJunior high(12-15)・Got a computer for my birthday

・Became interested in games and started
learning game programming by myself

Senior high(15-18)・S tarted reading Japanese manga・Became interested in Japan and wanted
to learn more about Japan

University(18-22)・Went to Japan to study

・Found my positive attitude towards
things I was interested in

Graduate school ・Learned about Japanese economy
system(22-)

・Decided to become a bridge between
Japan and my home country

At the interview, you should talk not only about events that have had a big impact
on your life, but it's important to describe what you thought, how you responded,
and what you learned from the experience in your own words.
It is important to look back on the past and understand your behavioral traits and values.

What sort of person do I want to be? — Create your own future timeline —Create your future timeline to help you clarify your goals and aspirations for the future.
Your "Future timeline" should be written chronologically about how you want to succeed in thecompany and how you plan your life after graduation.
■ How to make your future timeline❶ Create a chart, divide your future timeline into specific milestones: 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 years from now.
❷ List your life plan and work goals at each milestone.
Do not worry about whether they are achievable or not -- concentrate on the big picture of where
you want to be.
❸ Write down the reasons underlying your choice of goals and objectives.
Why are they important to you?
14

Future timeline - Examples
Time

After
3 years

Work goals

How can I achievethem?

・E xpand my network ・Want to build agood relationship・Learn the basics of ・Act positively andattend seminars etc
business in Japan・G et married・Want to build afoundation for life
in Japan・Participate in a new ・Work enthusiastically on
project
daily tasks and become
the person nominatedfor new projects.

・Buy a house in thesuburbs

・Want to live a life
where I can feelnature・Become the leaderof a project topromote a new
business・Demonstrateleadership and leadprojects to success.

After
20 years
Figure out your life plan for the next 20 or 30 years.

By setting goals, you can make it clear what needs to be done. Also, you cananswer smoothly when you are asked the reason for applying at the interview.

In interviews, employers will often ask international students questions such as "Why did you choose
to study in Japan?", "Why do you want to get a job in Japan/work for a Japanese company?".
In the past …… What got me interested in Japan?
In the future …… How and why you would like to engage with Japan in the future.

Consider the relevance to Japan. Even the smallest idea or motivation can tell an

Visiting Alumni

Organize your thoughts based on things from your past as well as your aspirations for the future, andprepare your answers for an interview.

Examining Job Types

What does Japan mean to me? — Why did I choose to come here as an international student? —Examining Company

After
30 years

Examining Industries

After
10 yearsReasons

Self-analysis and
Evaluation

After
5 years

Life plan

important story about you. Concentrate less on events or situations and more on
how they affected you or what you felt about them.
Internships

15

Voices of former
international students

How I analyze myself

The voice of experienced job-seekers regarding how they did"self-analysis". Some of them said, "My self-analysis finallyhelped me understand what I wanted to do."I analyzed my strengths and weaknesses, hobbies, and past experiences. In addition, I
asked questions to teachers and classmates to analyze myself . As for the question of"Things that were fun and challenging in my school days" which was often asked in theinterview and the application form, I listed each episode and looked back on how I grewup learning from them. Taiwanese (Female)
I participated in a job preparation class held by the university's Career Center in thefall semester of my junior year, prepared a self-analysis sheet, and conducted selfanalysis. After that, I used the job hunting application to analyze my strengths,
weaknesses and personality. Chinese (Male)I summarized the experiences that impressed me and explored why I felt that way andwhy I acted that way. I also took an online aptitude test and used it as a reference to
see which profession was right for me. Korean (Female)I wrote down on paper what I did from high school to now and what I learned. I
wrote it not only once, but again after some time. That helped me to remember a lotof things I had learned. Vietnamese (Female)
I looked through my diary to find out what I did when I was successful or when I solved
a problem and what my strengths and weaknesses were. Korean (Female)
I looked back on why I decided to st udy in Japan. From there, I analyzed thesense of values I gained from Japanese society as I lived. We also conducted aself-analysis focusing on the values I had gained by interacting with people atuniversities and part-time jobs, and the values I had from the inf luence from myfamily environment. Bangladesh (Male)
Visiting Alumni was very helpful for self-analysis. I was able to see if I could do thejob and if I was interested in the job by asking the former students who were working
at the company what kind of work they do. Mongolia (Female)16

COLUMN ❶Collecting Information on Job Hunting
In order to succeed in getting a job in Japan, it is important to start preparing early and at the same timecollect information about job hunting correctly.
Make use of the Internet
Job hunting Site (See page 44)
Employment support and information site for international students (See page 32)
Website of each company
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
JETRO, etc.
Read related books and magazines
Publications such as industry maps and industry guides from different companies.
"Job hunting section" in bookstores, libraries, and school libraries are full of books andmagazines on employment.
Visit the Career Center or Career Services Division (including International Exchange
Center etc.) on campus.
Career centers and Career Services Division are places where you can gather information
related to job hunting such as job offers from companies, useful books and magazines,
company briefing session information, and job hunting reports from former students. They
also provide instructions about interviews and writing your resume and application forms. You
should go and get a consultation frequently during job hunting.
Make use of Employment Service Centers for Foreigners and Hello Work (government
employment service).
Job postings and internship information specialized for international students are available.
They also provide individual job counseling. (Refer to the back cover)Participate in company briefing sessions
Joint company briefings held inside or outside the school provide an opportunity to gather
information on multiple companies. In addition, some companies hold individual company
briefings. Many companies now organize those oppor tunities online. Please check theinformation on job search websites or the bulletin board at career centers.
Visit Alumni
You can talk directly to former students who are actually working. For details, see page 33.

17

Researching Industries
Research companies that belong to the industry you are interested in.
“Industry” refers to a broad classification of industrial activities such as manufacturing,commerce, distribution and retail. The first step in identifying potential employers is to choose
the industry and company you want to work in.
Once your interests are clear through self-analysis, find out what industry suits you. "Industry
research" is the first step in choosing the company you want.

Why research industries and companies?
❶ In order to find out what industries there are in Japan.
❷ To identify the industries and companies that you would like to work in.
❸T o help you to understand what motivates you to apply for the job. You can use thisinformation in the job application and initial interview.

How to research industries
In order to conduct industry research, we first learn what industries there are in Japan, then narrow down
the industries you are interested in and investigate them in detail. You can study each industry in detail,using the following five-step process.

1
2
3
4
5

Analyze economic and social trends.
Watch and listen to the news.

2

Find out what industries there are.
Search from internet and relevant publications.

3

Identify all of the industries that interest you and/or suit your skills.
Look for industries that appear to be consistent with your long-term career goals.

4

Also explore industries that are connected with those industries you identified in Step 3.
This will give you a broader range of options for your preferred industry.

Now make a shortlist of industries in which you are most interested. Use thisshortlist to conduct more in-depth research into the industries where possible.
Find out which companies are operating in your shortlisted industries.

18

Manufacturing
Main industries

The ability to predict, andmanufacture products tomatch the needs of an era
is the key!
Main jobs and job types

Main jobs and job types

19

Internships

From buying and selling products at stores to purchasing oil, natural gas, or other energy resources, trading
companies serve as channels between corporations and consumers, as well as between corporations.
There are two prominent types of trading companies: general trading companies that handle diverse products ranging
from Ramen (noodles) to airplanes, and specialized trading companies that only handle specific products, such as
food, textiles, and fuel. The former type features comprehensiveness and the latter expertise. Each employs businessknow-how acquired through doing business globally. They also have an abundance of internationally minded humanresources because of their partnerships with overseas companies. In addition to acting as business intermediaries,
trading companies have branched into market development, business management, and other areas in recent years.

Visiting Alumni■ General affairs, human resources,
and labor･･･P24■ Finance, accounting, and treasury･･･P24■ Legal affairs, screening, and patents･･･P24■ Trade clerk and overseas clerk･･･P24■ Clerk, secretary, and receptionist･･･P24■ Research studies and marketing･･･P25■ Planning and product development･･･P25■ Corporate planning･･･P25■ Sales･･･P25■ Sales promotion and merchandising･･･P25■ General trading companies■ Specialized trading companies (agriculture,
forestry, and fisheries)■ Specialized trading companies (food)■ Specialized trading companies (housing)■ Specialized trading companies (textiles and apparel)■ Specialized trading companies (pulp and paper)■ Specialized trading companies (chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, and petroleum)■ Specialized trading companies (rubber, glass, and cement)■ Specialized trading companies (iron, steel, and metals)■ Specialized trading companies (machinery)■ Specialized trading companies (electronic and electricalequipment, communication equipment, and game products)■ Specialized trading companies (precision andmedical equipment)■ Specialized trading companies (printing, officesupplies, and office equipment)■ Specialized trading companies (sports andeveryday items)■ Specialized trading companies (education)■ Mail order and Internet sales

Examining Job Types

Main industries

Trading professionals connect
people with corporations andcorporations with corporations

Examining Company

Trading companies

Examining Industries

There are all sorts of manufactures. They can be divided into many industries based on what they produce. For
example, there are automobile manufacturers who produce cars, electronics manufacturers who produce TV sets,
PCs, mobile phones, and other devices, and food manufacturers who produce instant noodles, snacks, beverages,
etc. In addition to producing daily goods that are familiar to us, manufacturers also produce semi-conductors,
electronic components, materials used to produce houses and automobiles.
The challenge for manufacturers is how they can increase sales on days when goods are not selling well. In addition
to manufacturing high-quality products, it is becoming more important to create products with a story that attracts
and resonates with consumers.

Self-analysis and
Evaluation■ General affairs, human resources, and labor･･･P24■ Finance, accounting, and treasury･･･P24■ Legal affairs, screening, and patents･･･P24■ Clerk, secretary, and receptionist･･･P24■ Advertising and public relations･･･P25■ Research studies and marketing･･･P25■ Planning and product development･･･P25■ Corporate planning･･･P25■ Sales･･･P25■ Sales promotion and merchandising･･･P25■ Basic research･･･P26■ Applied research and technology development･･･P26■ Production and manufacturing technologies･･･P26■ Quality, production management, andmaintenance･･･P26■ Architectural and civil engineering design,
surveying and quantity surveying･･･P26■ Construction management･･･P26
Machineryand electronic equipment design･･･P26■■ Food■ Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries■ Construction■ Housing and interior design■ Textiles, pulp, and paper■ Chemicals and petroleum■ Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics■ Iron, steel, and mining■ Metals and nonferrous metals■ Rubber, glass, cement, pottery, and ceramics■ Machinery and plant engineering■ Electronic and electrical equipment■ Automobiles and transportation equipment■ Precision and medical equipment■ Printing and office equipment■ Other manufacturers

Finance

From where there is a surplus towhere there is a shortage, this is the'lubricant of the economy' supportingJapan

Main industries

Main jobs and job types■ General affairs, human resources,
and labor･･･P24■ Finance, accounting, and treasury･･･P24■ Legal affairs, screening, and patents･･･P24■ Clerk, secretary, and receptionist･･･P24■ Planning and product development･･･P25■ Corporate planning･･･P25■ Sales･･･P25■ Sales promotion and merchandising･･･P25■ Financial advisor･･･P28■ Exchange dealer and trader･･･P29■ Loan and financial planner･･･P29■ Security analyst･･･P29■ Actuary･･･P29■ Banks■ Securities and investment trust management■ Credit, loans, and leasing■ Life insurance■ Accident insurance■ Credit unions■ Labor credit associations■ Credit associations■ Finance and venture capital■ Business finance■ Consumer finance■ Mutual aid associations■ Commodity exchange

Money is required as an intermediary for the functioning of an economic society which is built on the cycle ofproduction and consumption. The term "finance" refers to this flow of money, and it advances money from those witha surplus to those experiencing a shortage in order to adjust temporary deficiency and excess.
Japanese financial institutions include public sector financial institutions whose objectives are economic development
and stability of national life. They also include private sector financial institutions that engage in indirect financing ofloan corporations with funds (accumulated in the form of deposits) and direct financing of intermediate trading ofstock certificates and bonds. In addition, there are credit and loan companies, as well as lease companies for lending
store equipment.
The finance industry has undergone a series of restructurings and has continued to show high activity in the past ten
years or so. Such activity includes the emergence of comprehensive financial groups with various industries under
their umbrella.

Services

Providing intangible goods
to create an enriched life

Main industries

Main jobs and job types■ General affairs, human resources, and labor･･･P24■ Finance, accounting, and treasury･･･P24■ Legal affairs, screening, and patents･･･P24■ Clerk, secretary, and receptionist･･･P24■ Advertising and public relations･･･P25■ Planning and product development･･･P25■ Corporate planning･･･P25■ Sales･･･P25■ Sales promotion and merchandising･･･P25■ MR･･･P27■ Pharmacist･･･P27■ Medical technician and nurse･･･P27■ Nutritionist･･･P27■ Welfare worker, care worker, and home helper･･･P27■ Nursery school teacher･･･P27■ Lecturer and instructor･･･P27■ Business consultant･･･P27■ IT consultant･･･P28■ Specialized consultant･･･P28■ Financial advisor･･･P28■ Translator･･･P28■ Interpreter･･･P28■ Sales staff and attendant･･･P28■ Buyer･･･P29■ Esthetician･･･P29■ Real estate■ Transportation, distribution, and warehousing■ Electricity, gas, and energy■ Food services■ Hotels, travel, and sightseeing■ Medical, welfare, and care services■ Leisure services■ Consulting and research■ Human resources and outsourcing■ Education■ Building management and maintenance■ Security■ Ceremonial functions■ Beauty, cosmetics, and hair dressing■ Agricultural cooperatives(including JA financial institutions)■ Nonprofit, special, and independent,
administrative institutions■ Other services"Services" is an economic term that refers to intangible goods, which provide benefits or satisfaction, and do not leave
any commodities remaining after their sale or purchase. Businesses that handle such goods are called service industries.
There are many service industries in the world. For example, we use transportation and traffic services, such as trains
and airplanes, and leisure services, such as amusement parks and movie theaters. If we want to eat delicious food andrelax, we use food services, such as restaurants and cafes. In addition, we use medical services when we are injured orsick. Service industries aim to provide convenience and satisfaction to consumers; their goal to make our lives richer.

20

Distribution
and retail

The architect of a consumer
society connecting producers
and consumers

Main industries

Main jobs and job types

growing business where
advances have
Information, communications, Atechnologicala major impact on society withand mass media
excellent market potential
Main jobs and job types■ Communications■ Internet technologies■ Communications business services■ Data communications■ Game software■ Newspapers■ Publishing■ Broadcasting■ Advertising■ News service agencies

21

Internships

The emergence and rapid progress of communications tools, such as mobile phones and the Internet, havemade our lives significantly more convenient. We can now order what we want from online shops and use
search engines to acquire a variety of information about things we want to know. This has all been madepossible by information and communications technology (ICT).
In addition to simply designing software, the software industry has recently begun consulting services fortheir customers. Information and communications industries offer significant possibilities for new business
opportunities and are expected to grow further.
The term "mass media" collectively refers to newspaper companies, news service agencies, publishers,
broadcasters, advertising agencies, record companies, production companies, and freelance journalists. They
communicate a large amount of information to a multitude of people. This characteristic of the industry has
resulted in significant impact on opinion-making.

Visiting Alumni■ General affairs, human resources, and labor･･･P24■ Finance, accounting, and treasury･･･P24■ Legal affairs, screening, and patents･･･P24■ Clerk, secretary, and receptionist･･･P24■ Planning and product development･･･P25■ Corporate planning･･･P25■ Sales promotion and merchandising･･･P25■ Announcer･･･P28■ Editing and production･･･P30■ Reporter and writer･･･P30■ Designer･･･P30■ Game creator･･･P30■ Programmer･･･P30■ System engineer･･･P30■ System maintenance and operation･･･P31■ System consultant･･･P31

Examining Job Types

Main industries■ Software and information processing

Examining Company

The flow of products from production to consumption is called "distribution", and businesses that sell products to
consumers are called "retailers".
The key to retailing is understanding the constant-changing needs of consumers quickly and responding to themaccurately. Retailers include specialty stores, such as electronics retail stores, where special product knowledge andan extensive range of product selection is offered. Retailers also include convenience stores, which have become
the new retailing style, and mail order businesses that are growing rapidly through Internet sales. On the other
hand, supermarkets and department stores, which have supported consumption in Japan since the period of rapid
economic growth, are constantly facing the demand to develop new business categories and markets while theyseek sales styles and methods meeting the needs of the times.

Examining Industries■ General affairs, human resources, and labor･･･P24■ Finance, accounting, and treasury･･･P24■ Legal affairs, screening, and patents･･･P24■ Distribution and inventory control･･･P24■ Clerk, secretary, and receptionist･･･P24■ Advertising and public relations･･･P25■ Planning and product development･･･P25■ Corporate planning･･･P25■ Sales･･･P25■ Sales promotion and merchandising･･･P25■ Pharmacist･･･P27■ Sales staff and attendant･･･P28■ Store manager･･･P29■ Supervisor･･･P29■ Buyer･･･P29

Self-analysis and
Evaluation■ Department stores■ Supermarkets■ Convenience stores■ Distribution and chain stores■ Home centers■ Consumer cooperatives■ Drug stores■ Specialty stores (general)■ Specialty stores (cameras and office automation)■ Specialty stores (glasses and precious metals)■ Specialty stores (food)■ Specialty stores (electrical equipment)■ Specialty stores (fashion and clothing)■ Specialty stores (automobiles)■ Specialty stores (books and music)■ Specialty stores (interior design)■ Specialty stores (other retail)■ Mail orderResearching Company
Research a company that belongs in an industry you prefer

When researching a company, you should study from two key perspectives:"Company Management", such as the company philosophy, recent performance and management
resources; and the "workplace environment", such as human resources and organization, job
assessment and compensation.
Company philosophy
and management

Company
management

Human resources andorganization

Workplaceenvironment

Business strategy andperformance

Job
Evaluations and rewards

Resources

Company size
Ja p a n h a s a p p r ox i m a t ely 3.67 m i l l io nbusinesses and small and medium businesses
account for 99.7% of the total. International
students are often keen to work for large
corporations that are well-known in theirhome countries. But it is important to consider
potential employers of all sizes, as this will
significantly increase your chances of gettinga job in Japan.
■ Benefits by company size
Large

The percentage of total
number of companies

The numberof companies inJapan:
Approximately
3.67 million
businesses(companies of unknown
size excluded)

Machinery andelectronics●Opportunities to be involved in major projects

Food

Small/medium●Employees are given important tasks/duties
from an early stage●Broadly defined roles, with potential to takeon various duties and gain a wide range ofexperiences a wide range of experiences●More likely to be result-oriented, with
opportunities to ascend rapidly through theranks

Small/
medium
99.7%

Employers of international
students by size●Comprehensive employee training programs●Comprehensive employee welfare schemes

Large
0.3%

■…Employees：1,000 +■…Employees：Less than 1,000
465
526

52

Transportationequipment(automobiles, etc.)

294
114

189

74
85

Chemicals
30

Textiles/Clothing

119

Commerce andtrading436
297

Computerrelated
48

Education

1,219
369

44

Food and drinks
industry

448

71

Hotels and Inns

385

47

Travel industry

343
104
92

Finance andinsurance
0

100

200

300

400

500

From The Employment of International Students by JapaneseCompanies in 2015 (Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice)

22

2,620

600 (Number of people)

As can be seen from the left page, most Japanese companies are small-to-mid-sized companies.
Here is a guide on how to conduct research on small-to-mid-sized companies that have lessinformation available compared to large companies.

Finding a small-to-mid-sized company
See page 44 for the list of major employment information sites. On page 32 there is an
introduction on how to find employment support companies specializing in international students.
Search companies that meet your requirements using those job information sites.

■ Participate in joint company briefings■ Register on scout-type recruiting websites
Due to the impact of COVID-19, direct contact with students has been reduced, and scout-type
recruiting sites are gaining attention. Once you register your profile, you will receive a scout
email from companies interested in your profile. More and more companies are using scouts
instead of meeting students at briefing sessions.

● Choose a company that fits your requirements, regardless of the size of the company.
● At small and medium-sized companies, since you are close to the executives, it isimportant to see carefully if their personality and way of thinking suit you.

Corporate research using Social MediaInternships

23

Visiting Alumni

In addition to their own websites, many companies use various Social Media to share
information. If you follow the social media accounts of the company you are interestedin, you can learn about the company, the atmosphere of the company, and the people
working there.
Social media are also convenient
as a means to know the situationof other students. You can see how
they are working on job hunting
and their challenges, so you can
use them as a reference. Also,
there are job hunting sites where
you can read ar ticles about job
hunting experiences and exchange
information.

Examining Job Types● See if the company has any future growth prospects.

Examining Company

How to choose a small-to-mid-sized company

Examining Industries

Some small-to-mid-sized companies can only be found at joint company briefing sessions heldby universities and local governments. Check out any information from on-campus Career
Centers and on the websites of local governments and chambers of commerce for information oncompany briefing sessions.

Self-analysis and
Evaluation■ Search on employment information websites

Researching Job Types
Researching job types and required skills"Job Type" refers to the type of occupation. Which industry you work in is important, but skills
required differ based on what kind of job you want. This section describes job types and explains
job descriptions for each type of job.

Clerical and administrative

These occupations require contact with all employees, including executives. They support important
decision-making for companies, such as developing corporate frameworks and recruitment, in order toenhance business efficiency and improve the workplace environment.

General affairs,
human resources, andlabor

These occupations support various departments inside companies.
General affairs personnel consolidate workplace environment, organize inhouse events, and communicate various messages, etc. Human resources
personnel support new employee recruitment, education, and othermanpower-related operations. Labor personnel manage employee working
conditions and arrange for items related to benefits and social insurance.

Finance, accounting,and treasury

These occupations involve work related to money used in corporate activities.
Finance and accounting personnel manage money that their company
receives and spends each day and create documents to be submitted to inhouse departments, shareholders, and related government offices. Treasury
personnel conduct budget and account settlement operations, and in somecases, are responsible for implementing duties in accordance with corporate
strategies, such as negotiations with financial institutions for financing

Legal affairs,
screening,and patents

Legal affairs personnel are in charge of legal clerical work in overall
corporate activities. They also contact and consult with corporate lawyers.
Screening personnel check the legality of various contracts that arise during
the execution of business. Patent personnel apply for and register new
products and technologies, and file lawsuits when patents are violated.

Distribution andinventory control

Individuals in these occupations use information systems tocomprehensively control processes ranging from materials procurement
to inventory management and product delivery.

Trade clerk andoverseas clerk

In order for a company to carry out import and export businesssmoothly, they are in charge of customs clearance procedures,
declaration of customs duties, arrangement of transportation andwarehouse, payment and collection of payment, etc.

Clerk, secretary,and receptionist

Clerks are in charge of a broad range of work, including handling phone
calls and entering data, as well as buying goods and performing generalaffairs work relating to employee welfare. Secretaries are required toperform work ranging from managing the schedule of their superior to
taking care of their superior's daily affairs. Receptionists are in charge ofattending to visitors and directing them to the relevant locations.

What youshould dowhile inschoolThese occupations provide support to ensure the smooth execution of corporate
business operations, and involve coordination of the movement of people, goods,
money, and information. You should assume a leadership role in your seminarclass or group to gain experience in being responsible for an organization orgroup, and to develop skills for preventing/solving problems and managing others.
24Planning

These occupations are required at all types of company. Individuals in these occupations plan and develop new
products and devise sales strategies.

These occupations involve the study of market trends. Individuals inthese occupations use the results of their studies to develop sales
strategies for products and services and to develop new products. In
addition to products, they analyze advertisements, sales strategies,
and distribution channels, etc., in a comprehensive manner.

Planning andproduct development

These occupations involve understanding the needs of customers in orderto create products. Individuals in these occupations repeatedly create
prototypes and conduct monitor surveys to develop distribution channels
and sales strategies. Collaboration with research divisions and production
divisions is indispensable, because they are the ones that actuallycommercialize products based on targets set for pricing, etc.

Corporate planning

Corporate planning personnel utilize their expertise in corporate planning tosupport presidents, executives, and other members of top management.
They have many opportunities to interact with management and are
entrusted to make important decisions affecting the future of their company.

What youshould dowhile inschool

You need to have the ability to collect, organize, and analyze information and grasp
trends. You also need to have the ability to actualize your ideas. You should use
activities inside and outside school to develop communication skills and the ability
to propose ideas. It is also important to develop thinking skills through planning
events, writing reports, or pursuing graduation work.

Individuals in these occupations target companies and individuals to propose and sell company products andservices. They listen and respond to customers' demands in order to acquire the trust of the customer, whichleads to sales. They also formulate and lead systems to produce profits.
Individual sales representatives visit homes to introduce and sellcompany products, while corporate sales representatives visit
companies to obtain contracts. New customer development involves
visiting companies/individuals inside an assigned area.

Sales(mainly existingcustomers)

These sales representatives target regular customers and clientcompanies. It is fundamental for both individual and corporate sales
representatives to establish trust with their customers. In addition, they
are required to proactively gather information, etc., and make cuttingedge proposals, based on a relationship of trust.

Sales promotion
and merchandising

Sales promotion personnel assist in setting goals for each division, office,or sales representative, developing tools and providing data. Merchandising
personnel communicate product characteristics and other information tosales channels in order to provide ways to effectively sell products.

As a way to train yourself to listen carefully to what others say, you should
develop communication skills and the ability to accurately understand theother party's demands. It is also useful to build a wide network of personalconnections.
25

Internships

What youshould dowhile in school

Visiting Alumni

Sales (mainly
new customer
development)

Examining Job Types

Sales

Examining Company

Research studies
and marketing

Examining Industries

To promote the sale of products and services and to enhance corporate
image, advertising and public relations personnel communicate financial
results, corporate policies and other company information to the world.
The work is conducted in cooperation with advertising agencies.

Self-analysis and
Evaluation

Advertisingand public relations

Technology and research

These occupations involve researching new technologies and creating products incollaboration with sales and production divisions, within set schedules.

Basic research

Basic research personnel develop new areas with the expectationof creating an advantage in the future. In many cases, they conduct
joint research with universities and public institutions. In the medical
supply field, joint research with overseas groups is also prominent. It isnecessary to be able to foresee what industry your research theme will
become useful for in the future.

Applied research andtechnology
development

Applied research personnel use the results of basic research to conduct
research that will lead to specific technologies/products. Technology
development personnel aim to establish technologies to effectively
produce and provide products and services.

Production andmanufacturing
Technology

Production and manufacturing technology personnel are in charge of work
ranging from planning and designing production lines, selecting individual
equipment, and determining specifications, to installing and maintaining
equipment. Within a team, they jointly conduct operations with a division ofroles, such as electricity, machinery, and controls. Today, as production ofsmall-lot, multiple models has become mainstream, the role of production
and manufacturing technology engineers is becoming more significant.

Quality, production
management,andmaintenance

Quality personnel plan inspections and check the actual sites to prevent
problems in the manufacturing process. Production management personnel
control production in accordance with business plans and instructions from sales
representatives. Maintenance personnel inspect and maintain production lines.

Architectural andcivil engineering
design,surveying,
and cost management

Architectural and civil engineering design can be largely divided
into three categories: "housing" for individual homes and apartmentbuildings, "other architecture" for office buildings and large stores, and"civil" for parks, roads, and tunnels. Surveying involves determining
the topography of sites. Cost management personnel calculate andmanage budgets related to construction work.

Construction
management

Construction management personnel execute control over construction
and civil engineering work, and act as field foremen. Their job content
varies depending on the content of construction work and the scale ofthe project. They arrange for workers, control quality, and also manage
schedules. In the case of large buildings or civil engineering work, theysometimes coordinate with subcontractors.

Machinery andelectronicequipment design

They are the core of commercializing machinery and electronic equipment
manufactured by electronic equipment manufacturers and machinery
manufacturers. They fully utilize CAD to create designs that are advanced
and stable in functionality, while also being user-friendly and beautiful.

What youshould dowhile inschoolThese occupations place importance on accurate and effective performanceof work and specialized knowledge in product development and realization.
You should adopt an attitude that is highly motivated and diligent in pursuing
your interests. It is also useful to acquire qualifications and licenses to enhanceyour expertise. You should learn research methods that are in accordance withdemands through report writing and other work based on materials and data.

26

Specialized

These occupations only exist in specific industries. They require advanced skills and specialized knowledgeof individual fields. In many cases, one of the criteria for you to get a job is having specific qualifications
or certification.

Nutritionist

Nutritionists are in charge of improving and providing counseling regarding
the diet of their patients or customers. Their duties include instructing cooking
staff, managing hygiene at food service facilities, calculating calories, andcreating menus. In addition, nationally certified senior nutritionists, a higher
ranked nutritionist, conduct nutritional counseling at special care facilities
under license from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Welfare worker,
care worker,
and home helper

Welfare workers provide consultation and care related to welfare, to those
who have disabilities or difficulties in performing normal daily activities.
Care workers assist the elderly and physically-challenged in developing
independence, and give advice on how to provide care. Home helpers visit
the homes of the elderly and physically-challenged to provide services.

Nursery school
teacher

Nursery school teachers substitute for parents in providing instructions
on general daily living in accordance with the age of the children atnursery schools, preschools, etc. In recent years, the scope of theirwork has been expanding into day-care centers inside department
stores, leisure facilities, and companies.

Lecturer andinstructor

The job content of these occupations varies. In the case of a private
tutoring school, for example, lecturers and instructors mainly work to
improve the academic ability of their students and give advice on how
to pass entrance exams for the schools each student wants to attend.
In the case of providing education to working adults, lecturers andinstructors can be responsible for teaching classes in a school setting.
They can also visit companies to conduct employee training. There arealso sports instructors who provide instruction at sport gyms or fitness
clubs.

Business consultant

Business consultants act as advisers to business managers and give advice onmanagement issues from an objective standpoint. They also clarify issues andproblems regarding businesses, human resources, and systems, to formulate
improvement plans and to suggest procedures to execute such plans.

27

Internships

There are several types of medical technician, including "medical
technologists" who examine specimens, "clinical radiologists" who diagnose andtreat patients using radiation, and "clinical engineers" who operate and maintain
artificial organs. Nurses are in charge of health and hygiene management andtreating the diseases of the elderly and other patients as directed by doctors.

Visiting Alumni

Medical technician
and nurse

Examining Job Types

Pharmacists dispense medications in accordance with prescriptions
issued by doctors. Their job also has an aspect of the service industry
because they give instructions and advice to patients and customers on
how to take medicine, such as informing them about possible side effects
and allergies. They also order pharmaceuticals and control their inventory.

Examining Company

Pharmacist

Examining Industries

MR is an abbreviation for "medical representative." They represent
pharmaceutical companies and communicate the efficacy andcharacteristics of the pharmaceuticals manufactured by their company
to doctors and other medical staff.

Self-analysis and
EvaluationMRIT consultant

IT consultants provide consulting related to IT that is directly connectedto the management of a company. Such consulting services include
things such as acting as an advisor for the implementation of a new
system at a computer manufacturer, drawing up tentative IT strategy
plans, analyzing results, and establishing systems, and outsourcing
their operation.

Specialized
consultant

In recent years, the field of consulting has expanded, and specialized
consultants have appeared to provide advice and guidance on business
improvement for various industries such as finance, distribution, andmedical care. Also, there are consultants who are involved with a
specific operation at a company, such as sales,patents, or taxation
business.

Financial advisor

Financial advisors are consulted on and give advice on the
management of the assets of individual customers (deposits andsavings, insurance, securities, real estate, etc.), land use, inheritanceissues, and other related general financial topics.

Translator

Translators work to translate sentences written in foreign languages into
Japanese. There are literary translations for novels and children's books,
video translations to put subtitles in movies and overseas TV dramas,
and business translation for technical fields such as IT and medical, as
well as corporate contracts and reports, etc.

Interpreter

Their job is to support communication between Japanese and foreign
people. Simultaneous interpretation refers to providing interpretation at thesame time as a speaker is talking, and consecutive interpretation refers
to providing interpretation in batches. Business interpretation is used ininter-business transactions and other business operations, conference
interpretation is used in international conferences, and broadcasting
interpretation is used to provide interpretation for dual-language
broadcasting on TV.

Announcer

Announcers use their voice and words to communicate information to many
people. In addition to hosting TV information and variety shows and sportscommentary, they also act as a radio personality and host for events.

What youshould dowhile inschoolSince these are jobs that require that requires a high level of expertise and skill,
you should be willing to learn about your interests. It is also useful to acquire
qualifications and licenses to enhance your expertise. As a way to train yourself
to carefully listen to what others say, you should develop communication skills.

Sales and services

These occupations involve selling products and providing services at department stores, specialty stores,
and mass retailers. Individuals in these occupations also understand consumer needs and promptly propose
products, grasping overall trends to allow them to formulate sales strategies.

Sales staff andattendant

Sales staff and attendants attend to customers at department stores,
supermarkets, mass retailers, and individual specialty stores. They
introduce products according to the customer's taste. They also devise
ways to encourage customers to visit their stores by preparing direct
marketing, flyers, and product lineups suited to their customer base.
28

Supervisor

Supervisors work with businesses such as supermarkets, mass retailers,convenience stores, restaurants, and fast food restaurants, managing
multiple locations. They monitor store operation from the aspects ofsales and management, and if necessary, they provide instruction.

Buyer

Buyers analyze trends and the preferences of consumers to procure
products and raw materials to be placed on store shelves. They look for
products that match the concept of the company and have distinctive
features that differentiate them from other companies in the industry,and purchase them as cheaply as possible.

Esthetician

They listen to customers' wishes and problems, give advice on beauty
methods, and perform treatments such as facial care, body care, slimmingand depilation.

What youshould dowhile inschoolThe ability to build relationships of trust is important in jobs that involve selling
products and services to individuals or companies. You should learn how toaccurately understand the demands of the other party and how to propose solutions
or plans. It is also important to always train yourself to listen carefully to what others
say and to build networks with people beyond the boundaries of the university.

These occupations are only available in the finance industry. Individuals in these occupations utilize theiradvanced special knowledge of economic trends, stock markets, and financial products in order to manage
funds and the capital of individuals and corporate customers.

Loan and financial
planner

As specialists in fund management, loan and financial planners earn
profits based on funds that are entrusted to them. Loan planners
bankroll their company funds at financial institutions, such as banks.
Financial planners invest assets in securities and bonds to earn a margin.

Security analyst

Security analysts analyze the future of industries or individualcompanies and stock price trends based on their wide range ofknowledge of economics, industries, and the world. Some security
analysts flourish on their own while others work at insurance companies
or in the asset management divisions of ordinary companies.

ActuaryThis refers to insurance actuaries. Individuals in this occupation utilize
a high level of statistical expertise to provide mathematical support toallow insurance companies to maintain sound management while setting
adequate premiums and insurance payments for each insurance subscriber.
Since specialized knowledge and a deep understanding of finance are required,
you should keep up to date with economic news. You should acquire the ability
to collect, organize, and analyze information through your participation in teamseminar or group activities. You should also acquire the ability to quickly grasp
information and to understand the meaning of new economic movements.
29

Internships

What youshould dowhile inschoolVisiting Alumni

Exchange dealers buy and sell Japanese yen and foreign currencies onbehalf of their customers to produce marginal profits in exchange rates.
Traders understand the trends of bonds and stock prices and provide
related information to customers. Their job is to receive orders from
customers to buy or sell, then transmit those orders to dealers.

Examining Job Types

Exchange dealer
and trader

Examining Company

Finance

Examining Industries

Store managers comprehensively oversee the operations of stores,
including store organization, inventory, and sales management. Whileeducating and instructing part-time workers and sales staff, they arealso required to find ways to increase profitability.

Self-analysis and
Evaluation

Store manager

Creative

These occupations are involved with artistic works or product creation. Communication skills are required to
explain ideas to customers. Some individuals in these occupations flourish on their own while others work in
the production divisions of ordinary companies or production companies.

Editing andproduction

Editing and production personnel create print media, such as magazines,
books, and web content, etc. They multitask to carry out a variety of work,
including making plans, arranging for staff, making appointments for onsite reporting, and coordinating plans with sales representatives.

Reporter and writer

Newspaper reporters are employed by newspaper companies. Their job
is to learn how to conduct on-site reporting and write newspaper articles.
Writers have their own specialized fields, such as music and business,
and write articles to be printed in magazines, books, and advertisements.

Designer

Graphic designers are involved with printed materials. Some graphic
designers specialize in advertisements and others specialize inpublications. In addition, there are Web designers who are engaged
in website creation, fashion designers in the apparel field, and interior
designers in the construction field.

Game creator

Game production involves scenario writers who come up with stories,
designers who create characters, programmers who write the codes for agame system, sound designer and directors/producers who control the entire
project. The title "game creator" is a general term for these occupations.

What youshould dowhile inschoolThese occupations involve showing the appeal of plans, products, and services
to a wide range of the general public. You should acquire skills in planning,
and in presenting your ideas in an understandable manner. You should alsoacquire communication skills and Japanese language skills to allow you tocommunicate messages. It is advisable to experience working part time inmass media, and producing student newspapers and informational magazines.

IT

With the development and spread of information and communication technologies, there is an increased
demand for computer system engineers at computer companies and other companies.

Programmer

Programmers follow specifications to create computer programs, andare in charge of creating the flowchart that determines the processing
procedure, coding in the programming language, and checking theoperation.

System engineer

System engineers learn about, and design a system that suits the goals
and demands of customers. This occupation requires the ability tolisten to others, propose ideas, and communicate effectively

Network engineer

Network engineers develop systems specially for networks within
computer systems. Currently, the utilization of networks between locations
inside and outside companies, and between companies and consumers,
is a significant theme for corporate strategy. Unsurprisingly, network
engineers are receiving particular attention among IT occupations.
30

Systemmaintenanceand operation

System maintenance personnel regularly inspect computer systems,
and adjust systems in accordance with the replacement of computersor peripheral devices. System operation personnel are called system
operators.

System consultant

System consultants provide expert advice and planning whencompanies implement computerized business systems. They meetwith customers to address any demands and issues, and propose
appropriate solutions.

Sales engineer

Sales engineers accompany sales representatives or visit customers
on their own and explain the technical aspects of company products
and systems. They assist in securing contracts. Sales engineers are atype of sales representative, and are also expected to conduct activities
focused on obtaining the trust of customers.

Customer support

Customer support personnel respond to inquiries from users regarding
company products and services. The content of the support varies
according to the industry.

These occupations require a deep understanding of IT technologies andcomputer network systems, as well as specialized skills. You should acquire
the ability to propose solutions and plans to solve issues, as well as manage
operations with specific procedures accurately.

Examining Company

What youshould dowhile inschoolExamining Industries

Customer engineers provide lectures on how to operate systems andhardware so that customers can use computer systems effectively.
They also perform regular inspections and respond to problems.

Self-analysis and
Evaluation

Customer engineer

Examining Job Types
Visiting Alumni
Internships

31

COLUMN ❷Make Full Use of Employment Support Companies
and Websites for International Students

Many international students have difficulty searching for companies recruiting international students.
More students are now using job hunting support companies and websites specializing in international
student support.

How to search for the information
Many companies can be searched for by using search keywords such as " 留 学 生 " " 就 職 支 援 "(employment support for international student). Each has its own unique features, so choose the onethat suits you. However, please note that the number of companies and industries listed may differ
depending on the site.

General employment support companies
and websites

Job hunting support companies andwebsites specializing in international students

・Many students in job hunting register
・Large number of companies listed
・Job postings in a wide range of industries
・You can apply for internship or selection
・Number of job of fer s for international
students is small・Available only to international students
・A large number of seminars specially forinternational students are available
・Corporate information on active recruitment
of international students is posted
・T h e n u m b e r o f a r t i c l e s p u b l i s h e d b ycompanies is smaller than those by generalemployment support companies and websites
・International students can get advice onfinding a job in Japan

If you search by the name of your prefecture and keywords
such as 留 学 生 (international student) 就 職 (employment),
you can find information on job offers for international
students living in that specific area and information on
events such as joint company briefing sessions.

福岡 留学生 就職

Reference■ Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Employment Security

Bureau Hellowork Internet Service

https://www.hellowork.mhlw.go.jp/index.html

Target audience
Both Japaneseand foreigners

You can search for job openings for international students across Japan by searching for
keywords such as "English," "Chinese," and "Global Talent."■ JETRO（Japan External Trade Organization）Open for Professionals
https://www.jetro.go.jp/hrportal/

Target audience
Foreigners

This site provides information on employment to highly-skilled foreign professionals wholive in Japan or who are considering living in Japan. The site is also available in English.
32

Visiting Alumni
The best opportunity to hear about working people's true thoughts
You can talk directly to people who work at the company and gather information that you

Process of visiting alumni

graduated before you

PrepareWhen the date is set to meet the alumnus/alumna, you should
prepare "what you want to ask," "where to put focus when asking
questions," etc.

Day of the visit

Be sure to wear a suit or jacket to be polite even if you are visiting
someone you know well. This is all the more true when meeting theperson for the first time. Especially, being late is heavily frowned
upon. Also, pay attention to your language and attitude.

After the visit

Summarize the content and impression of the inter view on anotebook or your computer. Then, you should once again examine
the things closely to see if the company meets your expectations.
Be sure to send a Thank you e-mail to the individual you met with.

● What is your daily schedule like?

● What should I practice on while I'm a student?

● What are the things that make you happy,● What's your office like?

or what struggles do you face at work?
● Was there a discrepancy between before● Please tell me your career path.

Visiting Alumni

Examples of questions when visiting alumni

Examining Job Types

If you want to contact someone that has been introduced toyou, you should use good manners when contacting him/her by
telephone or e-mail.

Examining Company

Make an appointment

Examining Industries

Look for someone who

If you are familiar with someone who graduated before you andwho now works at the company where you want to work at, you
should contact that person directly. If not, you can consult with thecareer center or career services division of your school. In response
to COVID-19, some schools have introduced a system where you
can request alumni visits online without going directly to a career
center. In recent years, there are many digital applications that allow
you to search for alumni. Please use them after you have checked
the safety of the digital applications. You can also take advantage ofyour personal connections by asking your acquaintances from club
activities or part-time jobs, or friends to introduce you to alumnis.

Self-analysis and
Evaluation

cannot obtain from the company brochure and websites.

● What are the strengths of your company comparedto other companies in the same industry?

and after you joined the company?

33

Internships

Asking questions about the information listed in the company brochure or website will
be taken as an indication of a lack of research, so be sure to ask about other things.

Internships
Internships are valuable opportunities to experience working
Internship means "Activities in which students gain work experience related to their interests,
including their major, and their future careers, with the aim of determining whether or not they arecapable of doing the job. " Many internship students do not receive compensation from companies
because the purpose of the internship is to provide them with a better understanding of the industry
and the company. If you participate in an internship focusing on what you will learn and acquire, youwill have an experience that you cannot get in a regular classroom.

Advantages of participating in an internship
Since internships aim to help achieve the goals of interns through providing work experience, many
companies do not provide monetary compensation for internships. Therefore, if students are clear on
what they want to learn and master from their internship, they will be able to experience things thatthey would not be able to in a normal classroom setting. The benefits (also the goals) of participating ininternships are as follows.

❶ Students can experience Japanese labor practices, etc.
❷ Students can improve their communication skills.
❸ Students can learn how to greet people, take phone calls, and other business manners.
❹ Students can utilize what they experience in internships when they examine companies
and select an industry.

Stories of internship experiences (comments from international students)
Able to learn about Japanese corporate customs and work practices.
● We practiced how to exchange business cards, how to create and present documents in PowerPoint presentations, andhow to hold group discussions. I'm glad that I was able to know the manners and knowledge that are indispensable forworking people.
● I discovered that Japanese companies place much importance on teamwork. I was anxious about communicating, but all
employees were very kind, and I was very grateful for the way in which they provided firm support, even for international
students.
● I learned from experience that I need to learn, not just about my chosen field, but also social rules and techniques tomaintain human relationships.

Useful for job hunting● By interacting with students from different universities and employees from different companies, I was able to expand

my knowledge and learn a lot. Also, I was able to directly ask employees about the atmosphere and working style of thecompany, which I would not have known until I actually got a job.
● Through the internship, I gained a deeper understanding of the company's corporate culture, detailed business contents,and management philosophy, which was very useful when I had an interview or wrote the reasons for applying.
● My internship allowed me to confirm my suitability for future jobs. I discovered that I was able to do my best in a Japanesecompany, which is what I wanted to really know as an international student.

Understanding industries and job types● I participated in an internship at a company that I knew in my daily life, and I was able to see aspects of the company that

I didn't know, which made me more interested. Since I participated in the internship before the job hunting started, it wasgood that I could analyze myself based on the internship.
● I worked with internship participants online from planning to presentation. It was good that I was able to experience thework even though it was a limited time.

34

Internship classifications and how to begin an internshipClassifications

Accreditation of university credits

Details and how to begin

I n t e r n s h i p c o n d u c t e d usually not recognized fori n d e p e n d e n t l y b y a school credit
company.

Internships posted on job search
websites, company websites, etc. Somecompanies have a selection process(document screening and interview,etc.), and only those applicants whoare successfully selected are allowed toparticipate in the internship.

Styles of "Internship and other initiatives to support the career development of students"
Training content

Duration

2 days to 1 week(short-term)

LectureStudents listen to a description of the industry, company,
and job, in a lecture setting.

A couple of days
(short-term)

Task solving

Students work in a group to solve given tasks.

1 to 2 weeks

Experience

Students are entrusted with tasks that are similar to those
for actual workers. In some cases, students are asked to
produce the same result as actual workers.

1 to 2 months(long-term alsoavailable)

Job-oriented
internship

Long-term and paid research internships based on corporate
job descriptions

2 months or more

Online internshipDue to the impact of COVID-19, more companies are offering internships online. Join theinternship online using a web conferencing system such as Zoom. The content tends to be a
problem-solving type in which, after listening to the company's explanation, participants are
divided into groups of several people to work on the assigned tasks and make a presentation.

Internships

35

Visiting Alumni

Internship at Employment Service Centers for Foreigners◎ Placements are secured in various fields ranging from famous companies to excellent local
companies.
◎ Through cooperation with schools, consideration is given to ensure smooth internshipexperiences for international students.
◎ Lecturers, etc. are provided to students before participating in an internship.
◎ Students can continue to receive employment support at the Employment Service Center
for Foreigners even after participating in an internship.
◎ The Japanese government covers the cost of accident and liability insurance during
internships.

Examining Job Types

Observation

Students observe a workplace and have tasks explained to them.
In some cases, students can experience a bit of actual work.

Examining Company

Style

Examining Industries

Internship conducted as a usually not recognized for
non-required activity
school credit

Internships posted by career service
divisions of universities, career centers,
etc. After carefully reading the posted
information, students apply for theinternship through the career service
division/career center of their university
or directly to the company.

Self-analysis and
Evaluation

Internship conducted as a recognized for school
required classcreditInternships are offered as part of acareer-related course. Companies
where students participate ininternships are found by the university.

Job Hunting Manners

Dress and Grooming to Give a Good Impression

Hair styleLong hair is not preferable. Be careful not
to have any sleep-mussed or untidy hair, or
any dandruff!

Face

Be clean shaven. Extremely thin eyebrowsare not preferable. Pay attention to yourteeth and breath.

Glasses

Avoid colorful and loud frames. Watch
out for dirty lenses.

CologneIt is better not to wear any cologne.

Nails

Be sure to trim your nails short and wash themto remove any dirt.

Shirt

White is the basic color. Be sure to choose ashirt that fits you around the collar and sleeves.
Pay attention when wearing a colored or
patterned T-shirt or dark undershirt, because
they can be seen through a white shirt. Watch
out for dirty collars and cuffs. You should wear aclean, washed shirt.

Accessories

Do not wear any accessories.

Tie

Avoid flashy ties.

Suit

Black, dark blue, or gray are the basic colors.
Choose a solid or finely striped tie. Ordinarily,
wear your tie with a single knot, not a double
knot. Don't button the bottom suit button.

Trousers

Trousers with a standard width and single-fold hems
(unfolded) are preferable. Be sure to iron them tomake creases. Your belt and shoes should match.

Shoes

Watch

You should choose simple and comfortable
black shoes. Be sure to check for scuffing on theheels, and polish your shoes properly.

You should avoid wearing a flashy watch. You
must not use your mobile phone to check thetime during the interview or test.

Socks

BriefcaseWhite socks and sneaker socks are taboo.
Choose socks that are the same color as yoursuit, or that are black or dark blue.

36

A black or brown briefcase is the standard. A
briefcase big enough for A4 size documents isconvenient. Be sure to avoid backpacks andcasual bags.

Companies do not intend to hire students whose appearance stands out. They are checking to see if you
are well-groomed and dressed based on social common sense. Even if you meet online, we recommend
you wear the same clothes as you would wear to a company briefing session, internship, or interview. Only
dressing up your upper body, or only the parts that appear on-screen, may affect your attitude.

Hair style

Either clip long hair behind your ears or gather it
together at the back so that the ears are visible.
Don't let your hair touch your face when you bow.

Face

Heavy makeup is not preferred. Pay attention to
your teeth and breath as well.

Glasses

Avoid colorful and loud frames. Watch out for
dirty lenses.

Perfume

Avoid wearing strong perfume.

Nails

Nails should not be too long. It is not goodto wear flashy nail polish or nail art.

Shirt

White is the basic color. A shirt in a solid, palecolor is also acceptable. Avoid wearing a shirt
in a primary color or with patterns. Be sure
not to wear a shirt that is cut too low. Choose
something pleasant and clean.

Accessories

Simple pierced earrings should be fine. You
should remove all your rings.

Suit

A simple suit with 1 or 2 buttons in solid black,dark blue or gray is the standard.

Skirt/trousers

Your skirt must be of a length that allows yourknees to be half covered when you are standing.
Wearing trousers will give an active image. Trousers
with single-fold hems (unfolded) are becoming
common. Be sure to iron them to make creases.

Watch

Shoes

Bag

Pantyhose

You should avoid wearing a flashy watch. You
must not use your mobile phone to check the time
during the interview or test.
A black or brown bag is the standard. A bag big
enough for A4 size documents is convenient. Be
sure to avoid backpacks and casual bags.

You should choose simple and comfortable black
shoes. Be sure to polish your shoes properly.

Choose a color that matches your skin tone
and has no pattern.

37

Job Hunting Manners

Manners to Make a Good Impression ①

Using honorifics
Honorifics are an indispensable element in building trust with others. The key to using honorifics
naturally is acquiring accurate knowledge, and at the same time, proactively using them in various
situations in real life to get used to them. Above all, you should respect others so that honorifics will
come naturally out of your mouth.

■ Types of honorific
Respectful terms「尊敬語」‥‥words of respect directly in connection with the acts, status,and possessions of the other party

Humble terms「謙譲語」‥‥words of modesty in connection with the acts and possessionsof oneself

Polite terms「丁寧語」‥‥words used when it is necessary to respond politely and elegantly
to others

尊敬語

謙譲語

丁寧語

いる

いらっしゃる

おります

います

行く

いらっしゃる

参る、伺う

行きます

聞く

お聞きになる

伺う

聞きます

する

なさる

いたす

します

思う

思われる

存じます

思います

■ Language in Business
The Japanese business culture has language and customs unique to Japan, and there are expressions
appropriate for business situations. Make sure to know and use the correct expressions.

Misleading usage of language (examples)
Correct expressions

Wrong expressions in business

私、わたくし僕、自分、俺

おんしゃ

御社（話し言葉）そちらの会社

き しゃ

こちらの会社

貴社（書き言葉）

了解しました

承知しました

わかりましたかしこまりました

ごめんなさい申し訳ございません■ How to learn business JapaneseBooks on business Japanese are widely published, ranging from comprehensive to conversation-specific.
In addition to learning with books, there are many other ways to learn, such as attending online courses
held by Japanese language schools and watching videos on business Japanese. Discussing with Japanesepeople is also an effective way to learn.

38

Letter-Writing Etiquette
Attaching a cover letter when you send your application form and resume gives a better impression.
Note that there are certain etiquettes to be observed when writing letters.

■ When do letters need to be used?

・ When mailing application forms and resumes

・ It expresses your sense of gratitude better than e-mail, etc.

■ How to write a Cover Letter①Date of submission

Write the date of submission
on the right-hand side of the
top line.

令和□年○月△日○○株式会社
採用ご担当者 様②Address

青海大学経済学研究科
王 留学

Address the recipient of thecover letter on the second lineof the letter, aligned to the left.

履歴書送付について拝啓③Subject

貴社ますますご清祥のこととお喜び申し上げます。

Write the subject of the letterin the center of the page inslightly larger characters.

先日は貴社の会社説明会に参加させていただきありがとうございました。貴社の経
営方針や事業の内容について理解が深まりました。また、貴社の社員の方々の熱意あふれる仕事ぶりに感銘をうけ、貴社へ入社したいという気持ちが高まりました。

④Details

つきましては、ご指定のありました下記書類を送付させていただきます。よろしく

Write the word “ 記 (Details)”
above the list of attacheddocuments, aligned center.

お願い申し上げます。
記
履歴書

一通

⑤End

以上

Write “ 以上 (End)” at the final
line of the letter.

■ How to write on an envelope
Writing on the Front
of Envelopes

○月○日
○
○
○
○

東京都中央区○○町△丁目×番□号〒100-0000○○大学△△学部××学科 三年

御中株式会社○○商事

履歴書在中

東京都千代田区○○町△丁目×番□号

111 0000
人事部人事課

切手

Writing on the Backof Envelopes

Address

Honorific

ExampleIndividuals

様

○○ 様

Companies and Other
Organizations

御中株式会社○○御中

Job Title様

人事ご担当者様

Job Titles Attachedto Individual Names

様

人事部○○様■ Points to Note When Writing Letters・ Write the name and address vertically, from right to left.
・ Write the complete address without abbreviating the
district or street number.
・ Refer to the above table for honorifics.
・ Write “ 履歴書在中 (Resume)” or “ エントリーシート在中(Application Form)” in red characters on the left-handside.
・ When writing the address of the sender on the back of
the envelope, write the address on the right-hand sideof the central seam, and the name on the left-hand side.
39

Job Hunting Manners

Manners to Make a Good Impression ②

Telephone etiquette
It is not possible to see the face or expressions of the person on the other end of the telephone, so extra
care must be taken.
Take care to avoid leaving an unfavorable impression on the person you were speaking to.

■ When does the telephone need to be used?
・ Requests for printed material・ Applying for briefing sessions
・ Changing interview dates

・ Questions and inquiries regarding to employment tests
・ Notifying the people concerned about being late for orabsent from interviews and tests
・ Contacting the people concerned about job offers, etc■ Important notes when making phone calls
Telephones are familiar communication tools in our daily lives. When using them for job hunting
activities, you cannot talk as you would speak to your friends. Since the other party cannot see your facewhen you are speaking on the phone, your language and tone of voice determine the impression that you
give. Be sure to be considerate and polite.
Avoid making phone calls early in the morning, late at night, immediately before or after startand finish times, and during lunch breaks. When using your mobile phone, make the callfrom a quiet place with good reception.
Before making a phone call, you should have your notebook and calendar ready.
You should be able to describe your name in kanji, alphabet, and katakana.
After introducing yourself and greeting the other party, you should check to see if he or she
has time to talk to you.
You should speak clearly in an appropriate volume. State your business concisely.
Be sure to thank the other party and wait until he or she has hung up before you do soyourself.

■ When arriving late for an interview
Making sure you give yourself plenty of time is a minimum requirement for members of society. It istherefore necessary to remember that arriving late is unforgiveable. If you are late due to problems withtransportation, or in other unavoidable cases, make sure you contact the company before your scheduled
time of arrival.
Example: When arriving late for an interview
Student

Company“Good morning. This is ooo ooo of ooo university. I have an interview today at oo:oo.
I am currently at oo Station, but there has been an accident involving a human life andthe trains are not running. I expect to arrive at oo:oo. I am very sorry for the trouble.
What should I do? ”
A: “I understand. Please try to get here as soon as possible. ”
B: “I see. In that case, wait a moment while I arrange a different appointment.”40

E-Mail Etiquette
E-mail is commonly used when communicating with companies during job hunting activities. Make surethat you observe the rules of etiquette when communicating through e-mail.

■ When is e-mail used?
・ Expressing your gratitude after internships
・ Thanking people for making alumni appointments and after the visits
・ Replying to e-mail from companies confirming appointments and providing information
・ Expressing gratitude for interviews
・ Questions regarding employment tests and inquiries, etc.

■ E-mail Format
Title
Use simple titles that
express the content clearly.
Address
Address the recipient (name andaffiliated department) at the top of
the e-mail.
Self-introduction
Start the message with a selfintroduction without going straight
into the details.
Main text
Write the main contents of themessage in a simple and easy-tounderstand manner.
Signature
Sign the end of the e-mail withyour school name, your name, youre-mail address, your telephone
number and other details.

■ Points to Note When Writing E-mails● Separate the contents into paragraphs to make sure they can be easily read.
● Check everything to make sure there are no typos or missing characters before you send it.
● If you are using a free e-mail provider, make sure your e-mail address is appropriate.
● Check the name of the [Sender] displayed when you send the e-mail, and correct any
nicknames, etc., if they have been set.
● Use the telephone if the e-mail is urgent or if you need to apologize.
● Reply immediately to all e-mails received from the company.

41

COLUMN ❸Cost of Job Hunting

Even though the number of online company briefing sessions, internships and interviews has increased
due to COVID-19, job hunting activities require a lot of money. For example, clothes for attending
briefing sessions and interviews, ID photos, and reference books. Also, some people spend money on IT
equipment, such as web cameras and lighting as online job hunting has becoming more common. Let's
make sure to understand the cost of job hunting in advance and prepare for it.
The following is a summary of the results from a questionnaire on the cost of job hunting, collectedfrom international students.

■ Breakdown of job hunting cost (Reference)
Between 15,000 yen and 70,000 yen

Suits, bags, etc.
Transportation expenses

Between 0 yen and 60,000 yen

Accommodation expenses

Between 0 yen and 10,000 yen

Reference book, postage, and resume fees

Between 500 yen and 20,000 yen

ID photo fee

Between 1,000 yen and 15,000 yen

IT equipment related expenses

Between 1,500 yen and 25,000 yen■ How much did the job hunting cost?
Suits……………………………… 30,000 yen
ID photo fee……………………… 10,000 yen

Suits, bags, etc.………………… 15,000 yen
Transportation expenses……………… 0 yen
ID photo fee……………………… 15,000 yen

Resume fees……………………… 1,000 yen
Transportation expenses……… 20,000 yen

Reference book expenses……… 10,000 yen
IT equipment related expenses…… 25,000 yen

Total cost………………………… 61,000 yen

Total cost………………………… 65,000 yen

I bought a suit set at thejob hunting campaign at
the store.

I bought an external
camera and light for an
online interview.

Female student(Received an offer from an
employment support agency)

Male student(Received an offer from a
distribution / retail company)

Transportation expenses………… 3,000 yen
ID photo, resume fees…………… 1,000 yen
Total cost…………………………… 4,000 yen

Most of the briefings sessions
and interviews were conductedo n l i n e d u e t o C O V I D -19 .
There were many companies
that required resumes to besubmit ted in PDF by email
rather than paper. I used thesuit I bought when I entered
university.
42

Male student(Received an offer froma system development
company)From Application toDocument Screening
Applications

Starting an application is the first step to job hunting			Company Briefing Sessions
Developing an eye for companies

Application documents

		

44

45

To fully convey your strengths						4743Applications
Starting an application is the first step to job hunting
Starting an application, called "entry" in Japanese, involves showing your interests in the company.
Some companies call it pre-application, "Pre-entry". When you do so, the company will send you
employment information, company information, announcements of briefing sessions, etc., via e-mail ordirect mail. As your first step, let's actively start applications for companies that you are interested in.

How to start an application■ Starting applications fromthe company information page of an employment information website
The bulk application feature allows you to search for companies according to the type of industry,
occupation, etc., and to start applications for multiple companies. This feature is useful for selecting
companies in the initial phase of job hunting.When using multiple information websites, be sure
not to start redundant applications. Starting an application does not mean that you must take thescreening test for that company.
■ List of major employment information websites
ACCESS Humanext (operated by Access Nextage Co., Ltd.)

https://job.ac-lab.jp/

Asagaku Navi (operated by Gakujo Co., Ltd.)

https://www.gakujo.ne.jp/

Shushoku Walker Net (operated by J Broad Co., Ltd.)

https://www.s-walker.net/

Diamond Shushoku Navi (operated by Diamond Human Resources Co., Ltd.) https://www.shukatsu.jp/

https://job.career-tasu.jp/

Career+ (operated by DISCO Inc.)
Bun Nabi! (operated by Bunkahoso Career Partners Co., Ltd.)

https://bunnabi.jp/

Mynavi (operated by Mynavi Corporation)

https://job.mynavi.jp/

Rikunabi (operated by Recruit Co., Ltd.)

https://job.rikunabi.com/

Note: The list above indicates employment information websites that are operated by member companies of the New Graduate/Youth
Employment Committee, Association of Job Information of Japan (AJIJ).

Others can be found by searching for keywords such as 留学生 (international student) and就職支援 (employment support). (see page 32)■ Starting applications directly through a recruitment website of individual companies

Each company has its own schedule for accepting applications (entry), so it is important tokeep checking frequently.
■ Starting applications through direct mail, etc., from companies

Application announcements are sometimes sent to prospective graduates in direct mail, etc.
44Company Briefing Sessions
Developing an eye for companies

Company Briefing Types

Applications

Company briefing sessions, seminars, and similar events are held after applications have been
submitted and before moving onto the selection process. Attending the briefing sessions, etc.,
provides the opportunity to listen to explanations provided by employment officers, interact with theemployees, and feel the atmosphere within the company.

Company briefing sessions can be split into two types as shown below.It is recommended that themain features of each of the sessions are fully understood to ensure that attendance is effective.

Briefing sessions held by many
companies gathered in the same forum inhotels and event halls around the country.
You are advised to actively use them as
an oppor tunity to compare companies
and across various industries.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, more companies are holding company briefing sessions
online. There are two main styles:
Live streaming
Briefing sessions held on a fixed date and time, which are streamed online. You can also
ask questions in real time to the company during the session using the chat functions.
On-demand
Briefing sessions distributed as pre-recorded videos. You may view videos publishedon the official website, or you may access the URL of a video sent to applicants. You
can watch it at your convenience.

Collecting Information on Company Briefing Sessions
Once applications have been submitted to the companies holding

Contact from Companies・・・ briefing sessions, you will be contacted by e-mail or other methods withregard to schedules, etc.

Information can be found in new graduate recruitment information pages on
Company Website・・・ the [Recruitment] section of their websites.
[Event] pages are also available on websites, and it is possible to run

Job Information Sites・・・ searches by location, date/time and type of event, etc.
Career Centers・・・ Posters are available on bulletin boards in careers centers, etc.

Advertisements for events and lists of event information are

Job Information Magazines・・・ available in magazines related to job information placed in career
centers etc.
45

Application documents

Joint-Briefing Sessions

Briefing sessions held by a single
c o m p a ny. T h e m a i n fe a tu r e of t h e s ebriefings is that they provide detailed
explanations on the business the company
is involved in, the work each departmentc a r r i e s ou t, a s we ll a s othe r det a il s.
Reservations are required in advance toattend company briefing sessions. The
number of participants is limited, so earlyreservations are recommended.

Company
Briefing Sessions

Company Briefing Sessions (Independent)Preparation for and attitude in company briefing sessions■ Things to do on the day before● Conduct your own research on the participating companies.
・Go to corporate websites and read them carefully to understand their management philosophies, businessintroductions, employment information, etc.
・Check out news related to the companies via news websites, newspapers, magazines, etc.

【Online】
Prepare a stable communication environment such as Wi-Fi. Also, prepare a webcam, earphones, etc. inadvance so everything goes smoothly. (see page 6).

■ At the venue on the day of the briefing session● Be aware that human resource personnel are watching, behave properly.

・Pay attention to your conduct and speech in the halls and bathrooms as well as the reception desk.
・If you are allowed to choose your own seat, create a positive impression by sitting as close to the front as
possible and asking questions without fail.

● Actively ask questions to resolve any issues that your company research could not provide answers to.
● Get a sense of the company atmosphere and the mood of the employees that cannot be understood fromwebsites or PR brochures.

【Online】
Make sure to log in before the company briefing starts■ Things to note
What to bring● Don't be late ⇒ Check in at least 10 minutes early● Set your mobile phone on silent mode. ⇒ Don’t causea nuisance.
● In addition to greeting the human resource personnel
and executive officers, you should also greet people
at the reception desk and other locations.
● If you have a question, first state your name and thenspeak in a cheerful, clear fashion. When you receive
an answer, you should express your gratitude.
● You need not emphasize on it too much, but know how
to conduct yourself and have good manners.

● Something to write with
● Organizer/memo pad● Map to the venue● Letter of invitation to thebriefing session● Company information materials
Things to bring just in case
● Personal seal (inkan)● Resume (just in case)● Copy of the application form

*For individual company briefing sessions, be sure to prepare yourself fully before the session because, in somecases, the company conducts interviews, aptitude tests, written tests, etc., after the session.

【Online】
If you participate with your camera on, make sure your appearance is well-groomed.

Seminars (open seminars)
This type of seminar is held by companies and local government for students who are starting to job hunt and they are notrelated to selection. Open seminar schedules, content, and other details are released on individual company websites andemployment information websites.

Job hunting support

Industry research

In order to improve job hunting skills, students canexperience and learn how to "analyze and evaluate
themselves" and "examine the company". This type of open
seminar is held at an earlier time, such as before the New
Year.

This t ype of open seminar is held to encourage anunderstanding of the industry to which the hosting company
belongs. The role of the industry, products handled, andservices provided are introduced to enhance interest in theentire industry.

46

Application documents
To fully convey your strengths

Applications

The application form and resume are the documents that help companies learn about the traits andhistory of applicants. In addition, submitting application documents means an official application
for a recruitment screening to a company. Since there are more and more cases where you submit
documents online, make sure you know how to submit them to the companies you're applying for.
The format and content of the application form varies by company, but it is generally a combinationof basic information such as your contact details, information of your university, and an essay.

Contents of Entry sheet

令和 ×× 年
ふりがな
氏名
ふりがな

〒
住所

メール
アドレス
年号

おう

りゅう がく王

留学

性別

×× 月 ×× 日

写真

生 年 月 日

135

-

8630

東京都江東区青海2-2-1***@aomi.ac.jp
年

電話番号

月

０90 - ９９９９ - ９９９９
学 歴 ・ 職 歴

学歴
2021年 令和26中国経済大学経済学部経済学科卒業

2022年 令和34

青海大学大学院経済学研究科修士課程入学

2024年 令和53

同課程修了見込
なし
以上

自己PR

私の強みは、努力できることです。それは、日本に留学するための日本語の勉強を半年間毎日続けたことから言うことができます。日本語の勉強をするにあたり、漢字が苦手だったので、毎日ノートに書き取りを行い、意味が分からない漢字があればすぐに調べ、作った文を日本語の先生に直してもらうことを続けました。
その結果、留学できるレベルまで日本語を話せるようになりました。
そのため、努力をし続けることが私の強みだと考えています。
学生時代に力を入れたこと

私が学生時代に力を入れたことは、塾講師のアルバイトです。大学入学時より個別塾の講師を務め、これまでに約１００名の生徒を担当しています。生徒の成績を上げることが講師の役目ですが、生徒それぞれで抱えている問題が異なるため、一人ひとりと向き合って一緒に問題を解決する必要があります。そこで私は、「生徒との会話を大事にする」
ことで生徒の良き理解者となることを考え実践しました。具体的には、授業中に一方的な解説を行うのではなく、生徒に答えてもらいながら授業を進めるように試みました。すると、生徒がどのように考えどのような問題が理解できていないかを知ることができました。そして、生徒自身に考えさせる癖をつけることで、生徒自身が気づいていない苦手な個所を見つけることができました。その結果、 生徒の成績を上げることができました。中には、20点ほどテストの点数を伸ばすことが出来た生徒もいました。
志望動機

私が貴社を志望する理由は、日本のパンを海外に広めたいからです。将来は、パンを販売するだけでなく、その製造技術も世界に広めていくのが夢であり、貴社は、業界の中で唯一パン教室を海外にも展開されていることをホームページで拝見したからです。
私は日本に来てパンのおいしさに感動しました。日本のパンは生地が細かく甘みがあり種類も豊富で、絶対に海外でも人気が出ると思うようになり、海外に広める役割を自分が担いたいと考えました。
私は、母国語の他にも英語を使うこともでき、現在、アルバイトですがレシピの翻訳をしたり、母国の料理の作り方を教えたりしています。その経験や語学を貴社のパン並びに教室の海外展開に役立て、海外に日本のパンを広める仕事に携わりたいと考え志望いたしました。

日本語能力試験N1、TOEIC８８０、普通自動車第一種免許

趣味・特技等

水泳、テニスを趣味にしています。

The questions included in application form compositions
will differ according to the company. There are also manycases in which the number of characters that can be used
is restricted to 200, 400, 800, etc., characters. You will be
required to write between 90% and 100% of the maximum
character count.

In describing your strengths, choose one strength anddescribe that in detail. Be sure to talk about how thatstrength makes you suitable for the job.
Use this section to talk about your academic achievements
at university, including the challenges you faced and what
you gained from the experience.
Describe your motivations for applying, and why you want
to work at this particular company. Explain what you cancontribute to the company.
List your licenses and qualifications. Use the formal titles
or descriptions. Include any qualifications attained inyour home country.

How to acquire and submit an application form
■ Company website
Fill out a company's online application form or download the form from the company website.

■ Make full use of employment information websites
The application form created online can be submitted to the company via the employment information website.
■ Distributed at Company Briefing Sessions
Distributed at Company Briefing Sessions and similar events.
■ Included with general materials provided by the company
Included in the information pack sent out by the company.
47

Application documents

職歴

免許・資格等This is essentially the same as the information on your resume.

■ Composition

19×× 年 4 月 2 日（満×× 歳）

とうきょうと こうとうく あおみ

Company
Briefing Sessions■ Basic details

エントリーシートHow to write a resumeYour resume is one of the official application documents. Handwritten used to be required, but now increasingly
more companies require you to submit online. You should fill out your resume carefully and legibly if handwritten.
Write the date of submission.
Write the date of mailing if sending by post.
Write in hiragana if the instruction is in hiragana.
Write in katakana if the instruction is in katakana.
Attach a photograph of you in a suit, taken ata photo studio. Write the name of your school,
department, and your full name on the back of
the photograph.
If you have your personal seal, use a red
ink pad and affix your seal correctly.
Write your address accurately. If you live
in an apartment/condominium, be sure toinclude its name and room number.
If you have any job history prior to your study inJapan, write it below your academic history.
Use Arabic numerals.

Write the official names of licenses andqualifications. Write down any qualifications
that you acquired in your home country.
It is important to indicate your degree ofinterest in the company and enthusiasm
about joining them.
Write concisely without going outside thedesignated space. However, sentences thatare too short are also a problem. It is a goodidea to create a draft so you can be sure that
letters fit with good balance.
Write down in detail, what is most appealing
about you as a person, such as your personality
and strong points. Make sure to also provide
reasons why this is your most appealing point,
and background of said point.

When you handwrite your resume and make a mistake, you need to rewrite the whole thing.
Do not use white-out. When you finish writing your resume, check it once again for any
missed items and make a copy of it before submitting.
48

Notes on filling out application documents❶ If you are submitting a handwritten application, be sure to make multiple copies forcreating drafts.
You cannot use correction liquid. Make a draft first and then a clean copy.

have good handwriting, fill out the form carefully.

Paper submissions use to be the mainstream, but online submissions are more popular now.
Documents required vary by company.
● Online application form and resume● Application form that also serves as
resume● Paper-based application form andresume49

Application documents

About online submission

Company
Briefing Sessions❸ Do not use an erasable pen when you handwrite your resume.
Since it's a formal document, avoid using a mechanical pen, pencil, or erasable pen.
❹ Avoid leaving blank spaces.
Use the space effectively so that you don't leave any blank space.
❺ Be sure to make a copy of the completed form.
You need a copy to check what you wrote before going to a seminar or interview.
❻ Write down the "school name/department/your name" on the back of the photograph to
be attached.
Photographs sometimes come off during handling of documents at a company. Also, it's
better to keep your digital ID photo as many companies now require online application.
❼ Have a person who is good at Japanese look over the completed form.
Use your universityʼs career center and make sure to have someone check to see if there
are any mistakes with your Japanese characters or expressions. It's easy to choose thewrong kanji by mistake when typing on a computer, so you need to review your document
carefully.
❽ Submit the form early, not when a deadline is approaching.
Companies that go through the screening process in the order that documents are
submitted may not have enough time to go through them if they arrive just before thedeadline. In the case of online appliations, you may find it difficult to submit the documents
due to high traffic, resulting in a failure to meet the deadline and being excluded from thescreening process.

Applications❷ When handwriting, fill out the form carefully and legibly.
Incorrect characters or missing syllables/characters are unacceptable. Even if you don'tAbout Essay
Some of the common questions asked in the essay are: "Reasons for applying" and "Self-PR," andin the entry sheet, "What I put into my school days."① Reasons for applying for the job
Tell the employer why you wish to work for them, what type of work you would like to do, and how
you think you can contribute to the organization.
Key
points● In order to write reasons for applying for the job, it is important to do your research on theindustry (page 18) and the company (page 22).
● Under “Reasons for Applying” explain why you are keen to join the company.
● Explain clearly how you have the skills required for the job and describe how you cancontribute to the organization, with reference to your particular strengths and attributes.

■ How to structure your answer

1 State why you are attracted to the company (i.e. the main point)
2 Give reasons for this conclusion—include any relevant events or situations
how you would be useful to the company—describe your strengths and3 Stateattributes and how these would contribute to the organization② Self-promotion
Describe your personality, including your strengths and attributes, and how you would apply thesein your job.

Keypoints● Self-analysis is a good way to identify your strengths and attributes. ( →Self-analysis and
Evaluation P13)
● Rather than trying to describe all of your strengths, it is more effective to focus on just one
and describe it in detail.
● Describe some situations where you demonstrated this strength.
● It is important to explain how you would utilize this particular strength in performing the job
you are applying for.

■ How to structure your answer

1 Nominate a single quality (i.e. the main point)
2 Describe one or more events or situations that illustrate this quality
how you would utilize this particular quality in your job and/or how it
3 Explain
would contribute to the organization50

③ Key academic achievements
Don’t just list your academic achievements—describe the challenges you faced along the way andwhat you gained from the experience.

Applications

Key
points● Self-analysis is a good way to identify your key achievements at university.( → Self-analysis
and Evaluation P13)
● Talk about some of the events or situations that inform your educational challenges andachievements.
● Describe what you gained from these experiences and how they contributed to your personalor professional growth.
● Where possible, include numerical results or reports of your achievements.

■ How to structure your answer

one or more events or situations that illustrate how you worked towards said
2 Listachievement④ Common short-answer questions on the application form
Application forms that include blank spaces for applicants to draw pictures or paste photos havebecome popular in recent years, particularly among organizations that are looking for new recruits
with the capacity to contribute from the outset.
Also, employers are starting to focus more on idea expression and conceptualization.
This suggests that employers are using the application form as a way to identify new recruits who
have the ability to demonstrate their competencies and have the capacity to contribute from theoutset. As you prepare your application forms, always keep in mind what it is that employers want
to see from their new recruits.
Application form example questions● If you were a food, what would it be? Tell us in no more than 400 characters. (Food)● W hat type of job are you looking for with us? How will you contribute to ourcompany? (Trading)● Why do we need you? In your answer, describe one of the hardest challenges you
have faced in your academic career. (Machinery)● W hat have you learned from your failures or disappointments thus far in life?
(Trading)● Where is the best place you have been to in your life? Why did you like it? (Travel)● If you had three million dollars to spend, how would you use it to contribute toworld peace? (Information and communications)

51

Application documents

what you gained from the experience and how it contributed to your
3 Describe
personal or professional growth

Company
Briefing Sessions

1 Nominate one key achievement in your academic career (i.e. the main point)From Screening
Tests and Job
Offers to Joining
a Company
Written Tests

It is necessary to confirm written test types
and prepare for them in advance						Interviews

Use your own words to express yourself					Job Offers to Joining a Company

Follow a plan until you join a company					

53

57

63

Job Hunting Activities									64after Graduating
Before Starting WorkWork environment environment in Japanese companies			52

65

Written Tests
It is necessary to confirm written test types and prepare for them in advanceInterviews

Written Test Types■ Aptitude Tests

Companies Implementing Tests

Topic Structures

Recruit Management Solutions

Verbal / Non-Verbal Personality TestsCAB

SHL-Japan

Mental arithmetic,regularity, instruction
table,coding, OPQGAB

SHL-Japan

Verbal, calculation, OPQ

Tamatebako
web test Ⅲ

SHL-Japan

Calculation, verbal, English, OPQ

SCOA

Nippon Omni-Management Association(NOMA) Research Institute, Inc.

Verbal, mathematics,logic, English, generalknowledge, personality

TG-WEB

Humanage

Verbal, calculation, English, Personality Tests

Job Hunting Activities
after Graduating

SPI3

Job Offers to
Joining a Company

Competency Aptitude Tests・・・・・・These tests are carried out to understand your levels of basic academic
skills, basic knowledge and job aptitude, etc.
Personality Aptitude Tests・・・・・・These tests are carried out to understand your basic personality, behavioral
characteristics and job aptitude, etc.
General Aptitude Tests・・・・・・These tests involve both competency aptitude tests and personality aptitude tests.
Most companies require applicants to take the general aptitude tests.
Name of Test

Written Tests

Various types of written tests are held. Written tests are carried out to make sure that students have attained
a certain level of knowledge and academic skills, and to make sure that they have the thinking faculties,
decision-making capabilities, speed, processing abilities and accuracy, etc., required for the job. These
are used as reference materials during interviews to enable efficient selection process when there are many
applicants.
The written tests must be submitted in Japanese as a basic principle, so the ability to read and understandJapanese is imperative.
It is recommended that you fully understand how written tests will be carried out and prepare for them bychecking at university career centers and reading the quarterly corporate reports, etc., of the companies you
have applied for.

OPQ: Occupational Personality Questionnaires

The topics involved will cover a wide range of subjects, such as Japanese, mathematics, social studies, science,
English, sports and current affairs, etc.
These tests are carried out to determine if you possess basic academic skills and basic knowledge. It is necessary
to prepare for the tests by checking the news, etc., on a daily basis.

■ Compositions and Essays
These tests are carried out to understand the levels of logical thinking, viewpoints, creativity, information-gathering
abilities and other such aspects.
Time restrictions and character-count restrictions will be in effect, so the best way to handle the tests is tocomplete them in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.
It is necessary to prepare by practicing written Japanese, etc., on a daily basis.
53

Before Starting Work

■ General Knowledge Tests

Contents of the aptitude test
Aptitude tests consist of two types; Paper tests and Web tests carried out with the use of a personal
computer.
There are three places where tests may be taken: at home, at the company, and at test centers.
There are cases in which the levels of difficulty of aptitude tests vary depending on the place where
the test is taken, even though they are the same types of test.
It is generally said that the paper tests taken at companies are the easiest, and the web tests taken athome are the most difficult.
Type

Location

How to take a test

Applicable Tests

Test Period

Web Tests

At home

Aptitude tests thatare taken at yourconvenience athome with the use of
personal computers.

SPI3,WebCAB,
tamatebako web
test Ⅲ,TG-WEB,etc.

From March 01 after
the ban on company
PR activities are lifted

Web Tests

Test Centers(Location: Test
centers thatspecialize ineach type of
aptitude test)

Aptitude tests thatare taken at places
specified for eachtest with the use of
personal computers.

SPI3,C-GAB,
SCOA,TG-WEB,etc.

From March 01 after
the ban on company
PR activities are lifted

Companies

Aptitude tests that are
taken at the company
office or at places
specified by thecompany with the useof written test papers.

SPI3,CAB,GAB,
SCOA,TG-WEB,etc.

From June 01 after
the ban on company
screening activities
are lifted

Paper Tests

Preparing for Aptitude Tests❶ Check out the aptitude tests given by the companies you intend to apply to
It is possible to check the results of different types of aptitude tests held by large and popular
companies with the use of the Quarterly Employment Journal and other books on preparing for
aptitude tests. For other companies, you can go through the reports written by alumni in the past,
which are archived by the career centers in the school you attend.
❷ Understand the types of aptitude test questions and methods of solving them
It is necessary to understand the trends of the questions likely to be included in all types of tests, aswell as the methods for answering the questions as swiftly as possible. It is important to accustom
yourself to as many different types of topics as possible by checking out the books on preparing for
aptitude tests available in bookstores, and the test samples available free of charge on the Internet.
❸ Accustom yourself to the time restrictions on aptitude tests
The most difficult part of aptitude tests is answering a large number of questions within a shortperiod of time. It is necessary to answer all questions as efficiently as possible, so it is therefore
important to remain aware of the time restrictions while practicing and set yourself targets foranswering the questions within the time allotted for the actual tests.
The fact that aptitude tests must be taken in the Japanese language causes problems formany international students. There are also small to medium-sized companies, etc., that do
not set aptitude tests. This means that searching for a company that does not require aptitude
tests is one way of avoiding them for students who seriously have trouble taking them.
54

What is SPI3?
The aptitude test most commonly used by companies in Japan is SPI3.
SPI3 is a test developed by Recruit Management Solutions co.,ltd.
The questions included in the SPI3 test are not very difficult, but speed and accuracy are required, so
it is recommended that you study in advance the trends of the questions likely to be included and themethods for answering them as efficiently as possible.

There are four types of SPI3 tests available that depend on the format and venue.
Format

Test Location

Features

Paper testing

Paper

Company
meetings rooms

Verbal (30 minutes) / Non-Verbal (40 minutes)
Personality Tests (40 minutes)

Test CenterWeb

Dedicated
venue

Verbal / Non-Verbal (35 minutes)
Personality Tests (30 minutes)

Web TestingWeb

At home, etc.

Verbal / Non-Verbal (35 minutes)
Personality Tests (30 minutes)

In-house CBTWebCompany
meetings rooms

Verbal / Non-Verbal (35 minutes)
Personality Tests (30 minutes)

Fields Tested with SPI3
Test Types

Verbalproficiency
Non-verbal
proficiency

Reasoning, number of potential outcomes, probability, set theories,
calculation of profits and losses, speed calculations, understanding
charts and tables
Price adjustment, price discounts, percentage calculations, payment
by installment, etc.

Personality
characteristics

Testing behavioral qualities, motivational qualities, emotional qualities
and social strengths through to personality characteristics

Work
Adaptability

Measures ease of adapting to work based on points scored for
personality and basic skills

Organizational
Adaptability

Measures ease of adapting to organizational customs

Points of note for SPI3
❶ Obtain a clear understanding of the topic patterns.
❷ There are many questions included, so allocate your time carefully.
❸ Check the questions and answers to long sentences topics before reading the sentences.
❹ Answer all questions without leaving any unanswered even if you don’t know the correct answers.
❺ Make sure you do not make any mistakes for the questions involving addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division.
55

Before Starting Work

Personality
Aptitude
Tests

Fields Tested and Topic Genres
Relationship between words, use of phrases, rearranging sentences,filling in blanks, correct use of idiomatic phrases, rearranging clausal
phrases, reading and understanding long sentences, etc.

Job Hunting Activities
after Graduating

Competency
Aptitude
Tests

FieldsJob Offers to
Joining a Company※ Once the test has been taken at a test center, it is possible to submit the results of this to other companies.
(The people who have taken aptitude tests will not be informed of the results.) The tests can also be retaken.

Interviews

Implementation Method

Written Tests■ SPI3 Types

Sample questions● Language course (Japanese)(1) Choose the most suitable proverb for the meaning of the following sentence.
If you treat others well, eventually you will be rewarded.
① Reward from a previous life   ② All things come to those who wait   ③ Pardon makes offenders④ The good you do for others is good for yourself   ⑤ What goes around, comes around(2) Choose the item with the closest meaning to the underlined part of the example sentence.
(Example) I cannot push myself too hard
① Effective outlook ② Effective medicine ③ Ask the teacher ④ Generous ⑤ Listen to music(3) Choose the word with same relationship as that of the 2 words shown in the example.
(Example) Interference: Non-interference
Extension:      ① Interruption ② Suspension ③ Short-term ④ Curtailment ⑤ Reduction(4) Choose the most suitable sentence that shows the meaning of the following words.
(Example) Look after① Be into..., crazy about...   ② Miserable   ③ Show favoritism④ Be visible clearly   ⑤ Be able to look over[Answers] (1)→④ The good you do others is good for yourself (2)→① Effective outlook (3)→⑤ Reduction (4)→③ Show favoritism● Non-language course(1) Mr. A commutes to work from his house by car. At a speed of 50 kph on the way there and 60 kph on the way back,the return journey takes 15 minutes less. How many kilometers away is his workplace from his house?
① 55 km   ② 60 km   ③ 65 km   ④ 70 km   ⑤ 75 km(2) There is 200 g of a 3 % saline solution and 300 g of a 4 % saline solution.
If these two saline solutions are mixed together, what percentage is the salinity?
① 2.6 %   ② 3.6 %   ③ 4.6 %   ④ 5.6 %   ⑤ 6.6 %(3) Admission to a zoo was 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. The total admission fees collected for one day was
79,700 yen and the number of visitors was 130. Which of the following was the number of children admitted on this day?
① 80 children   ② 81 children   ③ 82 children   ④ 83 children   ⑤ 84 children(4) When the following statements are true, which of the below is certain?
A. If you like Spring, you like tennis.   B. If you like winter, you like skiing.
C. If you like studying, you like Spring.
① If you like Spring, you like studying.   ② If you like winter, you like studying.
③ If you don't like skiing, you don't like Spring.   ④ If you like studying, you like tennis.
⑤ If you don't like Spring, you don't like tennis.
[Answers] (1)→⑤ 75 km. (2)→② 3.6%. (3)→② 81 children (4)→④ If you like studying, you like tennis.

● General knowledge(1) Preliminary tremors causing seismic waves are known as P-waves,
but what are the seismic waves causing principal shocks known as? Choose from the following options.
① S-wave   ② L-wave   ③ N-wave   ④ EW-wave   ⑤ V-wave(2) What are the 3 musical elements? Choose from the following options.
① Rhythm, melody, harmony   ② Beauty, joy and grandiosity   ③ Strength, length and melody  ④ Force, height and tone   ⑤ Length, size and tone
(3) Of the administrative divisions in Japan, the one with the largest area is Hokkaido,
but which prefecture has the second largest surface area? Choose from the following options.
① Akita prefecture   ② Iwate prefecture   ③ Aomori prefecture  ④ Nagano prefecture   ⑤ Gifu prefecture(4) On April 4th, 2022, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. restructured its stock market into three new market segments. Two of
the three are Standard Market and Growth Market. What is another market? Choose one from below.
① Premier Market   ② Mothers Market   ③ Priority Market  ④ JASDAQ Market   ⑤ Prime Market[Answers] (1)→① S-wave. (2)→④ Force, height and tone. (3)→② Iwate prefecture. (4)→⑤ Prime Market

56Interviews
Use your own words to express yourself

Types of interviews

Interviews

In Japan, the interview and examination process generally takes place over two separate sessions.This
allows a number of different observers to evaluate the applicant’s behavior and thought processes atdifferent times, in order to determine whether the applicant is a suitable recruitment target.
Due to COVID-19, more companies are conducting interviews online. There are many different typesof interviews, but here, we will look at the most common interview formats: group discussion, groupinterview, one-on-one interview and online interview.

Written Tests

Interviews are the most important part of the screening process. Use the self-analysis and evaluationand the examination of industries and companies that you have conducted as a base to prepare
yourself to use your own words to communicate to the interviewer why you are applying for the job,
what your strengths are, and what views you have.

① Group discussion■ FormatApplicants: multiple groups offour to six people
Interviewers: multiple
Timing: first interview
Note: Varies between employers

Job Offers to
Joining a Company

A group discussion involves four to six applicants
discussing a topic nominated by the employer. Theinterviewers observe the discussion and rate theapplicants objectively. The aim is to determine how welleach applicant functions as part of a group.

■ Procedure

2 Allocation of roles

Student

3 Discussion

Student

Student

4 Presentation

Student

Student
Interviewer■ Important

・Take care with your choice of words during the discussion. ( → Job Hunting Manners ② Manners to
Make a Good Impression ① P38)
・Try to avoid changing your opinion too often, or conversely being stubborn and trying to force youropinion upon others.
・Allocate the time carefully.
・Appearing too negative or too forceful during allocation of roles and during the discussion can countagainst you.
・Group discussion is not a debate. The idea is to work together to create consensus within the group.

57

Before Starting Work

Student

Main roles are: coordinator, secretary, timekeeper, presenter

Job Hunting Activities
after Graduating

1 Self-introduction

② Group interview
Group interviews are often used when dealing with alarge number of applicants, as a way of eliminating
underperforming applicants and identifying those suitable
for a one-on-one interview. In a group interview, there isusually less time available to each applicant to respondto the interviewer. Also, unlike the one-on-one interview,
applicants in a group interview are effectively competingwith each other to progress to the next stage.

■ FormatApplicants: two to six people
Interviewers: multiple
Timing: first and second interview
Note: Varies between employers■ Procedure

The interviewer asks a set of questions based on theapplication forms and resumes. The same questions are
asked to each applicant in turn.

■ Important・Remember: first impressions are very important!
( → Job Hunting Manners ① Dress and Grooming to Give a
Good Impression P36, 37)
・Speak clearly and confidently. Do not mumble your words.
・S ince one person only has a short amount of time, prepare
answers to common questions that are short and to the point.
・Prepare a spoken description of your strengthes andattributes that lasts for about one minute.
・Be polite and respectful while other candidates are speaking.

Student

Student

Interviewer

Student

Interviewer③ One-on-one interview
Compared to a group interview, the one-on-one interview
allows the interviewer more time to directly assess yourstrengthes and personal characteristics.
The interviewer will analyze your responses and examine
your attitude and posture, your expression, and your useof language.

■ FormatApplicants: one
Interviewers: multiple
Timing: first, second, and final interviews
Note: Varies between employers■ Procedure

The interviewer prepares questions based on theapplication form and resume. Firstly, you will be asked
about information supplied on your application form andresume. Often, the interviewer will want to hear further
details or explanations.

■ Important・Re-read your application form and resume to make sure
you are familiar with everything you have written.
・Think back over the responses you have given in previous
interviews.
・Be prepared to talk about your strengthes and the skills
you can contribute to the organization.
・Be prepared for questions about whether you are genuine
about wanting a job at the company.
・Make sure you are neat and focused.

58

Student

Interviewer Interviewer Interviewer

Interview process3

Waiting room

Wait quietly until you are called in for the interview. Put your belongings at
your feet rather than on the table. Avoid talking to other students or goingin and out of the waiting room frequently, even if you have to wait for a longtime.

Entering theinterview room

Knock on the door two or three times. When you are told to come in, you
should say "Excuse me" and enter the room. Be sure to open and close the door
quietly. After entering the room, politely bow once to the interviewer(s) andwalk to the side of the prepared seat, then state your school name, department,
and your name, in a cheerf ul man ner, and politely bow again. W hen theinterviewer asks you to sit down, say "Thank you" and sit down.

During theinterview

Be sure to place your bag at your feet and sit with good posture without leaning
against the back of the chair. Use polite and accurate Japanese, answer questions
concisely and in a manner that is easy to understand, while making eye contact
with the interviewer. In the case of a group interview, you should pay attention
to other students when they are being asked questions.

Leaving the room

When the inter view is f inished, stand up and thank the inter viewer(s) for
taking the time to interview you. Walk to the door, politely bow again, andsay "Goodbye." Close the door quietly as you leave the room.
In winter, do not put your coat back on until you are about to leave throughthe main entrance. You may also switch your mobile phone back on.

4
5
6

Bowing etiquette and posture■ Half bow■ Seated postureThis is the standard form ofbowing in Japan, used tomake a request or express
appreciation.
Angle = 30°
Eyes fixed on the groundabout one meter away

Used to acknowledge acolleague, for example
when passing in thecorridorAngle = 15°
Eyes fixed on the groundabout three meters away

How to sit with good posture・Sit tall—stretch your back out
・Do not use the backrest
・Sit forward in your seat

15°

30°

1m

3m

59

Placement of hands and feet・Women:Keep legs together andplace hands on the knees
・Men: Have legs slightly apart,
form a gentle fist with your hands
and rest on thighs
・Try to keep your hands andfeet still during the interview

Before Starting Work■ Full bow

Job Hunting Activities
after Graduating

Reception

Job Offers to
Joining a Company

2

You should assume that the interview starts at reception. At the reception
desk, be sure to clearly state the name of your school, your name, and that you
have come for the interview. Do not forget to thank the person who directs
you to your destination, and be sure to lightly bow to any company employees
you pass along the way.

1

Interviews

Never be late. Be sure to arrive at the venue 15 minutes before the set timeso that you can be calm for the interview. Be sure to switch off your mobile
phone before going into the building. In winter, take off your coat before
going inside.

Written Tests

Arrivalat the venue

Remote interview
There are two types of remote interviews: online interview and video interview

Online interview
Online interview is conducted using a web interview system or web conferencing system. The system used
for the interview varies from company to company.

Check in advance□ Is your internet connection stable to prevent image distortion, voice delay, and line breaks?
□ Are there unnecessary things in the background such as posters or laundry?
□ Is the room bright enough to make a good impression? When the room is dark, your expression
can also look dark.
□ Make sure there are no wrinkles in your suit.
□ Is the camera positioned so that the upper body can be seen?
□ Is the microphone volume set to the right level?
□ Is there no unnecessary sound from your surroundings such as the ring tone of a smartphone?
□ Do not set an inappropriate nickname or animation character for your account name and profile
image on the interview software, as they are also displayed on the company's side.
※ It is recommended to ask your friends and family to practice with you in advance.

Enteringroom

Log in 5 minutes before the interview and prepare to enter the room so you can deal
with any connection troubles.

DuringInterview

・Position the camera in the same position as your eyes, and look at the camera when
you speak.
・Try to speak louder than usual.
・To make it easier for your reactions and expressions to be communicated to them,make your gestures and nod movements larger.

【How to deal with problems】
If you have trouble with your network during an online interview, don't panic and contact the company. If
you have trouble hearing the interviewer's voice or the video stops, use the chat function or make a phone
call.

Leavingroom

When the interview is over, say thank you and bow. You should disconnect yourself
after the interviewer disconnects.

60Video interview
Video interviews are often used for the first interview. In response to questions from companies, such as"self-promotion," "what I focused on when I was a student," and "reasons for applying," you submit a 1- 2 minutes video recording of yourself. You can record again and again until you are satisfied. For videointerviews, dress and groom as you would for a typical job interview.

Written Tests

Responding to questions

Think about what you'regoing to talk about inan online interview. Theinterviewers will tell if
you are reading a note.

● Have you ever used our products? What did you think of it/them?
● How would you feel if we weren't able to give you a job in your preferred position/department?
● What are your expectations of our company/your job?
● Why did you decide to study in Japan? Why do you want to work for a Japanese company?
● How long do you plan to stay/work in Japan?
● Have you had any success with your other job applications?

61

Before Starting Work

[Preparing for the interview]■ Practicing on your own
Take a video of yourself answering a question, and review it.
Watch the video and observe your eye contact, clarity of speech and use of language.
■ How to practice with help from others
Ask a friend or the university career counselor to act as an interviewer in a mockinterview situation.
You can feel the same nervousness as the real interview, and you can get advice on
what was good and what should be improved.

Job Hunting Activities
after Graduating

Typical interview questions

Job Offers to
Joining a Company

Human Resources(Recruitment)Interviews

The questions at interviews are often the same as the questions on theapplication form or resume. The interviewer may ask questions while
reading from your application form or resume. Your answers must be
consistent with the information provided in them. For this reason, it isimportant to read through your application form and resume before youcome for the interview.
The interviewer may also ask for your background information to
supplement the details provided in your job application. Prior to theinterview, you should prepare a number of answers to potential questions
that you are likely to encounter.
You should also make sure that you have done your self-analysis, industry
and company research so that you are equipped to answer any otherquestions that the interviewer may ask. Remember that you only havea short time to promote yourself to the interview panel. For maximum
impact, try to keep your answers concise and to the point.

COLUMN ❹Tips for the Second Half of Your Job Hunting Process
In the second half of your job search, there will be many times when you will be happy and thendisappointed regarding job offers. Here we will look at what you should do when you receive multiple
job offers and what you should do if you still haven’t received any.

If you have received job offers from two or more companies
There are times when applicants will receive two or more job offers from different companies. In this case,
you must turn down the job offers from companies that you will not enter.
When turning down job offers, please be aware of the following points.
❶ Turn down job offers over the telephone, not via e-mailRegardless of how many times you have been selected to receive job offers, you will not convey
your sincerity by simply turning down a job offer via an e-mail.
Please do your best to refuse job offers over the telephone.
❷ It is ok not to tell other companies which company you have decided to work for
When turning down a job offer, there are times when the company representative you are
speaking with will ask you which company you chose to enter. You are not obligated to provide
them with the name of the company that you will work for.
 hen you turn down a job offer and run into problems such as being held at a company for❸Wmany hours
When turning down a job offer, companies may request that you come to their location andexplain to them about the situation.
When doing so, there are times when you will be held up for many hours at the company andpressured to sign a letter of acceptance in order to persuade you to change your mind. In suchsituations, quickly consult with your university’s career center or career services division. For
example, even if you sign a letter of acceptance or written oath, they are not legally binding. If
you feel that you are being forced to change your mind about the offer, deal with the situation ina calm manner.
Companies take time and effort to provide applicants with job offers. Therefore, there is a strong trend
among companies for wanting students which they provided with job offers to enter their companies.
Try to be sincere with companies so that they agree with your decision.

In case you are not able to receive a job offer-Job hunting after companies start providing official job offersSometimes companies continue with hiring activities until March because they were unable to fill
all positions and this means that you still have a chance to be selected by a company from Octoberonwards.There are many cases where small-to-mid-sized companies in particular start selections after
the selection peak period to avoid overlapping with employment periods of large companies. Apply
early to companies that you are interested in, if you are not able to receive a job offer by October, checkthe employment information of companies that hire in the fall or throughout the year. You can also
consider registering yourself with a temp staff or employment agency.
To enter a company on April 1st, it is necessary to complete all change in residence status proceduresby the end of January. So try to obtain a job offer before that time so that you can apply for change inresidence status.

62

Job Offers to Joining a Company
Follow a plan until you join a company

Flow of the process from receiving a job offer to entering a company

4

Changing yourstatus ofresidence

In order to be employed by a Japanese company, it is necessary to change yourresident visa status from "Student" to a status that allows you to work. You
should start preparing for this early so that you will be able to complete theprocess before the day of joining the company. * See the next chapter for details.

5

Joininga company

Some companies ask you to participate in a social gathering, job offer ceremony,or training before joining the company. Be sure to check the schedules of such
events.

63

Before Starting Work

Deciding to join
a company

Job Hunting Activities
after Graduating

3

In the end, you will decide on one company to join. If you have multiple job
offers, you should consult with the career center of your university, yourprofessors, your family members, etc., to decide which company to join as soon
as possible. If you delay your declining of job offers, you not only impact therange of possible employment of other students, but you may also adversely
impact the hiring of international students that come after you.

2

Job Offers to
Joining a Company

Submitting awritten pledge andacknowledgment

After receiving a job offer, you will be asked to submit a document confirming
your intent to join the company. This document is called a "Pledge" or"Acknowledgement". Until you submit these documents, you're in an Provisional
job offer, not an official job offer. Companies that host a social gathering may
ask you to sign/affix your seal on the document at the gathering and it becomes
an official offer on the spot. Be careful not to miss the deadline if you aremailing the document, which may cause the job offer to be canceled. * This
"Pledge" or "Acknowledgement" is not legally binding, so you can continue
your job hunting even after submitting the document. Be sure to check the hiring
schedule of each of the companies that you have chosen, so that you don't haveto repeatedly decline job offers more than necessary.

1

Interviews

Job offer

After the final screening process, a job offer is issued by the company notifying
the applicant that it would like to hire him/her. In many cases, the first
notification is by telephone, and then a "formal offer letter" is sent. If you havealready accepted a job offer from another company or you have no intention ofentering the company in question, you should be honest and decline the offer assoon as possible.

Written Tests

Until you receive a job offer from a company of your choice, you should continue in your job hunting
activities. You should understand the flow of the process from receiving a job offer to entering a company, andfollow your job hunting plan.

Job Hunting Activities after Graduating
In the event that you cannot find employment by the time you graduate, you may apply to change your visa from
"College Student" to "Designated Activities (to continue seeking employment)" to continue job hunting activities fora year after graduating.
(This visa is valid for six months and may be renewed only one time for another six months. (namely, 1 year in total))
From December 2016 onwards, it is possible to continue job hunting activities for an additional year if the following
conditions are satisfied during the second year after graduation.
In the second year after graduating from a university, etc., if you wish to participate in job hunting support programs
provided by local governments, including internship programs (which must comply with the requirements establishedby Immigration Services Agency), and have no trouble residing in Japan, you may change your status of residence foryour participation in job hunting activities as part of these programs (residence of six months for specific activities)
and be authorized to extend your period of residence one more time by obtaining a certificate from your local
government.

■ Eligible individuals● Those who have graduated from a university (including two-year colleges) or a regular course at
a graduate school● Those who have graduated from a professional training college and got a diploma● Those who have graduated from a university or graduate school overseas, and have graduatedfrom a Japanese language educational institution that meets certain requirements.

■ Documents required for application

There are some documents that universities need to prepare, so please be sure to consult with the staff
at the career center or career services division.
(1) Application form for changing status of residence (with photograph of 4cm tall and 3cm wide)(2) Passport and resident card (the former alien registration card)(3) Documents prooving the person's ability to pay all expenses incurred during their stay in Japan.
(4) Your most recent university or college graduation certificate. If you studied at a technical or
vocational school, you should also bring your transcript of results, your specialist degree
certificate, and documents that outline the specialist training you have undertaken.
(5) Recommendation letter from the university enrolled in before application(6) Documents verifying that you are currently job hunting (job hunt records, screening result
document, etc.)

If you secure a job while on a "Designated Activities" visa, you will be required to change yourresidence status to "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services".

■ Notes● Althought the government's policy requires graduates from schools to apply for job positions designatedfor new graduates, lasting for at least three years after graduation, you will have limited opportunities tofind a job since many Japanese companies primarily target new graduates when planning their acquisitionof human resources. Additionally, the period between April and September, in which you will continue job
hunting, is when recruitment for the following year is underway.
● You may be asked to wait to join the company until April of the following year even if you are offered a position.
● It will be difficult to gather information because you will be required to conduct job hunting activities undera schedule that is different from the regular "new graduate hiring" schedule. In addition, it will be difficult tocommunicate your eagerness to apply for a job because of the delay in timing.
In the case you have been offered a position that starts in April of the following year, you may stay in Japan
until you start work by changing your visa to “Designated Activities (for persons with job offers)”. However,
you must apply to change your status of residence because the content of your activities differs from job
hunting activities.
64

Before Starting WorkWork environment in Japanese companies

Working Conditions

Written Tests

To ensure the same working conditions as a Japanese national laborer, the same labor-related laws also apply
to non-Japanese nationals working in Japan as.
At the same time, duties to enter and pay taxes towards insurance systems such as Roudou Hoken (labor
insurance) or Shakai Hoken (social healthcare) are obligatory.

In principle, non-Japanese laborers in Japan are assured of the same working conditions asJapanese laborers, including salary, working hours, retirement, and dismissal.
Interviews❶ Equal treatment
An employer (companies, etc.) shall not engage in discriminatory treatment for working
conditions based on the nationality of the laborer.
❷ Specifying work conditions
An employer shall specifically state in writing the contract period, place of work, working
hours, and other conditions upon establishing a work contract.

❺ Safety and healthAn employer must work towards the prevention of work-related injuries, improving work
environment and conditions, as well as conduct safety and health education and healthchecks for laborers in order to ascertain the safety and health of laborers.

In principle, non-Japanese nationals are required to enter insurance systems such as Roudou
Hoken (labor insurance) and Shakai Hoken (social insurance) if they are working in Japan.
❶ Workers' accident compensation insurance
Insurance benefits for injuries, illnesses, disabilities, or death due to job-related causes orduring the commute to work.
Premiums shall be borne by the employer.
❷ Unemployment insurance
Benefits for laborers in the event of loss of employment to provide for basic needs in orderto facilitate reemployment.
65

Before Starting Work

Shakai Hoken (social insurance) system

Job Hunting Activities
after Graduating❹ Working hours, holidays, and leave
Working hours shall be up to 8 hours per day and up to 40 hours per week (however,exceptions exist depending on the structure of the industry or office).
There are companies with varied working hours based on certain needs (working hours
based on week, month, or annual basis or flex time).

Job Offers to
Joining a Company❸ Remuneration
An employer shall set the salary and currency, and pay that amount to the laborer directly
at least once per month.
Also, regardless of nationality and gender, an employer cannot employ a person below theminimum salary.
Moreover, taxes and insurance payment shall generally be deducted before the salary isgiven to the laborer.

❸ Health insuranceLump-sum payments are paid to the insured to provide for basic needs of laborers andtheir families to cover medical expenses for sickness or injuries out of the workplace,childbirth, or death.
Premiums shall be borne by the employer and the insured equally.
❹ Welfare annuity insurance
Insurance benefits for old age, disability, or death of the laborer.
Premiums shall be borne by the employer and the insured equally.
Non-Japanese laborers who have enrolled in welfare annuity insurance for 6 months ormore are entitled to claim a Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment within 2 years of returning tohis or her home country.

Taxation
Taxes imposed are the national "Income Tax" and the local "Municipal Tax".
The employer shall deduct (withhold) these taxes from the laborer's salary.
Moreover, non-Japanese laborers must settle tax obligations (unpaid taxes, etc.) for the year
before returning to their home country.
❶ Income Tax
Tax rates are imposed based on annual income between January and December, regardlessof nationality.
Income tax shall be deducted from monthly salary based on estimated annual grossincome.
Proper tax amounts shall be adjusted at the end of the year (year-end adjustment).
❷ Municipal Tax
Taxes imposed by the local government of the region the laborer is registered under as ofJanuary 1 every year, regardless of nationality.
Tax amounts differ based on the previous year's income, the number of dependents, andother factors.

Welfare Program
Welfare programs refer to various systems, facilities, services, and more provided by thecompany to the employee and his or her family, in addition to salary.
Companies are legally obligated to pay into Shakai Hoken and Roudou Hoken as a partof this program, but there are other company-based benefits aimed to increase employee
motivation.
❶ Housing: Rent subsidy, bachelor dorms, company housing, property accumulation
savings, etc❷ Health and Leisure: Management of hospitals, clinics, exercise spots, rest homes, andother facilities, health consultations, counseling, support for cultural and physicalactivities❸ Other: Congratulatory and condolences money, provision of uniform and working
clothes
Lately, various welfare programs have started using point systems, and more companies
have started to adopt a "cafeteria plan" where you can choose the services you needaccording to the amount of points you have accumulated.

66

The Voice of Former
International Students

The story of experienced job-seekers regarding thechallenges and what they should have done when job
hunting in Japan.

I regret not doing enough company research. Rather than trying to look into as
many companies as possible, I felt that I could have worked more efficiently
by doing company research and understanding more about international
student employement at the same time.
Mongolian (Female)Compared to Japanese students, I received a job offer late. I think it wouldn't
have been that late if I had done self-analysis and industry research in myjunior year, narrowed down the industry to a certain extent, and participatedin internships and briefing sessions.
Vietnamese (Male)I wish I had prepared for SPI test early on. All the companies I applied
for implemented SPI, so I thought it was important to take a proper
action early on.
Korean (Female)

I had a hard time preparing my resume. I think it's better to prepare earlyand have your teacher or Japanese friend check it before you submit it. Also,
you should practice Japanese pronunciation and interview manners before
the interview.
Chinese (Female)I should have prepared for the online interview earlier. Since I didn't
have earphones, I sometimes couldn't catch what the interviewer said. I
also wondered if I should look at the screen or the camera.
Taiwanese (Female)

Most of the questions asked during the interview are almost the same, so
I wish I had studied more Japanese so that I could answer the questions
properly.
Korean (Female)67

Changing Your
Status of Residence
Application for Change of
Status of Residence

Changing from "Student" to a visa allowing you to work			

69

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities /									70International Services
Specified Skilled Worker									73Designated Activities									7468

Application for Change of
Status of Residence
Changing from "College Student" to a visa allowing you to work

Types of status of residence allowing work
■ Those which allow work with restrictions regarding job type, industry, and work content
Highly Skilled Professional, Business Manager, Legal/Accounting Services, Medical Services,
Researcher, Instructor, Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, Nursing Care,
Specified Skilled Worker, etc.

Points to note when applying for a change of status of residence❶ Prepare the required documentation as early as possible.

❷ The screening process takes between one to three months from the time of application,❸ Applications must be submitted by the person in question as a basic principle.

If the applicant is not able to apply in person, it is possible for an intermediary who has given
a notification of intermediary to the head of the Regional Immigration Bureau to submit theapplication.

❹ It is possible to reapply as a basic principle in the event of an application being rejected.

Applicants must have an appropriate and valid period of stay remaining. Reapplications will not be
authorized unless the reason for the application being rejected is improved.
For more information, see "Guidelines for Permission for Change of Status ofResidence and Extension of Period of Stay "(available in multiple languages).

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/nyuukokukanri07_00058.html

Websites containing the procedures necessary for changing the status of residence■ Immigration Services Agency

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/■ Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners
https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/tokyo-foreigner/

69

Designated Activities

so applications must be sent in as early as possible.
Application acceptance begins in January as a basic principle (For Specified Skilled Worker,
December at all bureau locations; for other statuses of residence, e.g., usually December at theTokyo Regional Immigration Bureau and the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau) so that new
graduates can begin work in April. Applications must be submitted again if any documents are
insufficient, which raises the possibility of the process not being completed in time for starting
work, so they must be prepared as early as possible.

Specified Skilled Worker

There are certain documents that must be prepared by recruiting companies, and it isrecommended that these are gathered as early as possible.

Engineer /Specialist in Humanities /International Services- The Highly Skilled Professional residence status is for those who have at least a certain number of points calculated
based on academic background, professional career, annual salary, etc.
- The Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status accounted for approximately 90% of theresidence statuses held by international students that changed their residence status for the purpose of working inJapan in Reiwa 1 (2019).

Application for Change of
Status of Residence

In order to work in Japan, international students are required to change their status of residence from "College
Student" to a status of residence that allows them to work.

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities /International Services
Types of status of residence international students change to after getting a job
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
Activities

Activities to engage in services, which require skills or knowledge pertinent to physicalscience, engineering or other natural science fields, or to engage in services, which
require knowledge pertinent to jurisprudence, economics, sociology or other humanscience fields, or to engage in services which require understanding of and sensitivity
to foreign cultures, based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan.

Main jobs andjob types

Management, finance, general affairs, legal affairs, planning, product development,
design, marketing, advertising, public relations, interpretation, translation, language
instruction, production technology, research and development, engineering ,programming, architectural design, system administration, etc.

Requirements
and criteria❶ Majored in the industry field of the job you are pursuinng, gained necessary, job-related
knowledge from and graduated from university, or have received equivalent education.
Or, complete special training at a vocational school (only in cases coming under thenecessary completion requirements as set out by the Minister of Justice). Or, acquire adecent knowledge of the industry you want to enter based on 10 years or more of businessexperience (includes time spent majoring in subjects related to the aforementioned
knowledge at a technical college, high school, second half of secondary school, or
specialty course at a vocational school).
In cases in which the applicant is to engage in work where skills and knowledge related to
information processing are required, the applicant is not required to satisfy the requirements
as set out by the Minister of Justice as long as he/she has passed the specified
examination on information processing skills or has obtained certification as set out by the
Minister of Justice for information processing skills.
❷ In cases the applicant is to engage in work that requires understanding of and sensitivity
to foreign cultures, the applicant must have at least three years of work experience intranslation, interpretation, language instruction, public relations, advertising, overseas
transactions, clothing or interior design, product development, etc. In cases where theapplicant is to engage in work such as translation, interpretation, or language instruction,
no work experience is required if the applicant has graduated from a university.
❸ The applicant must receive no less compensation than a Japanese national would
receive for comparable work.

Period of Stay

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 3 months (Visa extension is applicable.)

Subjects majored in at university or vocational school should be related to knowledge andskills required for the work you intend to engage in. (The relativity is less strictly considered foruniversity.)- University graduates can engage in translation from or into their native language, interpretation, and/or language instruction
regardless of university major.
- In regards to computer technology related work, persons who pass an information processing skills examination set by the
Minister of Justice or obtain certification in the field can engage in such work regardless of what their major was at university or
vocational school or whether they graduated.

70

Requirements for changing the status of residence
Four points pertaining to the screening process for changing of the status of residence are as follows:❶ Applicant’s academic background (major, contents of research, etc.) and other backgroundinformation indicating the possession of the required skills and knowledge, etc.

being able to provide the applicant with the opportunity to perform the necessary duties.

Overseas Students

Satisfying
Required Criteria
Skills and knowledge,
etc., possessed by
the applicant being
useful for the job

・Stability and continuity
・Same remuneration as
Japanese employees
・Possible to provide theapplicant with theopportunity to perform thenecessary duties

Preparing Required Documents

Category 2

Category 3❶ Organizations
or individuals forwhich the withheld
income tax sum
listed on the total
withholding recordof employment
income included
in statements ofearnings or otherstatutory tax reports
for the previous year
is 10 million yen ormore.
❷ Organizations
which haveobtained approval
for application ofresidence throughthe online residence
application system.

Organizations
or individuals(excluding thoselisted in category 2)that have submitted
statementsof earnings inwithholding tax
records or otherstatutory tax reports
for employees forthe previous year

Category 4
Organizations
or individuals
not covered byCategories 1 to 3

Designated Activities

Category 1
 ompany listed on any of Japan’s stock❶C
exchanges
 utual company involved in the insurance❷Mindustry
 ational or regional organization run by❸N
Japan or an overseas nation❹ Independent administrative institution
 pecial corporation or licensed corporation❺S ublic service corporation authorized by a❻Pnational or regional public organization inJapan ublic corporation listed in Appendix #1 of❼P
the Corporation Tax Act
 company is applicable for the items (b)❽Aor (c),in the middle column of the special
addition section in the table in Article 1,
Paragraph 1 of the Ministerial Ordinanceon Highly Skilled Professional.(innovation
creating company)❾ S mall-to-mid-sized companies that meetcertain requirements ＊*Those recognized by the direc tor of thePrefectural Labor Bureau as a ‘Youth Yell
Company’ under the ‘Youth Yell Recognition
Program’ instituted by the Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare. (As of January 2020)

Documentation required(See page 72 for the details of ❶ to

)

❶

❷

❸

❹

Category1

●

●

●

●

Category

❺

❻

❼

❽

❾

Category2

●

●

●

●

Category3

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

Category4

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

71

Specified Skilled Worker

Since the documentation required is different depending on the institution at which you are to be
employed, check with the company you will work for which category applies to you.

Engineer /Specialist in Humanities /International Services

・Academic Background・Major, Contents of
Research
・Work Experience(Practical Experience)

Companies

Application for Change of
Status of Residence❷ Skills and knowledge, etc., possessed by the applicant being useful for the job description.
❸ Treatment of the applicant (remuneration) being acceptable.
❹ The scale and business results of the recruiting company indicating stability and continuity, and●❶ Application for change of status of residence (with photograph of 4cm tall and 3cm wide)❷ Passport and Resident Card (including Alien Registration Cards, which are considered to be
Resident Cards)❸ D ocumentation providing evidence of the company’s eligibility for any of the categories
mentioned previously on page 71
Category 1: Quarterly report or documentation providing evidence of the company being listed
on any of Japan’s stock exchanges (copy)
Documentation providing evidence that the establishment of the company was authorized by acompetent authority (copy)
Documentation certifying that the company is applicable for the items (b) or (c),in the middle
column of the special addition section in the table in Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the Ministerial
Ordinance on Highly Skilled Professional(innovation creating company). (Example; A copy of thenotice of decision for grant of subsidy)
Documentation that certifies that the company satisfies certain conditions as above (Example;
copies of certificates)
Category 2: Documentation that certifies that the use of the online residence application has
been approved (Example; e-mail notification of approval regarding an application for permission
to use)Category 2 and Category 3: Statements of earnings in withholding tax records or other statutory
tax reports for employees for the previous year (copy affixed with seal of receipt)❹ Documentation providing evidence of the titles of diplomas or advanced diplomas received(vocational school students only)❺ Documentation providing evidence of the applicant’s activities, etc.
Documentation clarifying the labor conditions given to the worker based on Article 15, Paragraph
1 of the Labor Standards Act and Article 5 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act in theevent of a labor contract having been concluded❻ Documentation proving the applicant’s academic history and work history, and other personal
background information, etc.
(1) A resume stating the organization, period of work, and details of the skills and knowledge thatthe applicant was engaged in which are relevant to the application.
(2) Any of the following documents providing evidence of academic background and work experience, etc.
a. G raduation certificate issued by a university, etc., or other documentation providing evidenceof having received education that is equivalent or upper. Applicants with qualifications from
India's DOEACC system are required to submit DOEACC qualification certificates (limited tolevel A, B, or C).
b. D ocumentation providing evidence for the applicant's work experience as listed in theemployment certificate, etc. (including certificates issued by universities, colleges and highschools, etc.,
o r vocational schools listing the periods that the applicant majored in specialist subjects
pertaining to the relevant skills and knowledge).
c. F or IT engineers, proof of passing the specified examination or having obtained certification for information
processing skills as set out by the Minister of Justice in a special provision public notice*For applicants who will be performing duties that require an understanding of or sensitivity
toward foreign culture, applicants are required to submit documentation providing evidenceof at least three years' experience in relevant work (excluding applicants who graduated fromuniversities and will be involved in translation, interpretation, or language teaching activities).
❼ Certificate of the Registered Matters❽ Either of the following documents that clarify the contents of the duties performed(1) O verview of the employing company detailing the history, officers, organization, and businessaffairs (including main clients and business results) of the company(2) All other documentation produced by the employing company that conform to (1) listed above❾ A copy of the financial statements for the most recent fiscal year (Category 3 and Category 4)
A business plan in the case of a new business (Category 4 only) D ocuments that clarify the reason for the inability to submit all employees’ statements ofearnings in withholding tax records or other statutory tax reports for employees for theprevious year
The information above is only a summary. For more details, please refer to the page of the Immigration
Services Agency below.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00095.html

72Specified Skilled Worker

Specified Skilled Worker (i)■ Specified industrial fields
The 12 specified fields are nursing care; building cleaning management; materials, industrial machinery,electrical and electronic information related manufacturing; construction industry; shipbuilding/shipmachinery industry; automobile maintenance; aviation industry; accommodation industry; agriculture;
fishery & aquaculture; manufacture of food and beverages; and food service industry.

Major requirements for Specified Skilled Worker
Specified Skilled Worker (i)Activities engaging in work requiring a considerable degree of knowledge or experience as specified by an
Ordinance of the Ministry of Justice that is in a specified industrial field (a field of industry designated byan Ordinance of the Ministry of Justice as one requiring the hiring of foreign nationals due to the difficulty
in securing workers) and based on an employment contrat with a public or private organization in Japanas designated by the Minister of Justice.

Major job
types

Duties to be engaged in specific industrial fields are predetermined.
Examples:Accommodation industry• Jobs related to lodging services such as reception, planning and public relations, customer service, andrestaurant services in accommodations
Examples:Food service industry• General restaurant work (food preparation, customer service, restaurant management)
Please see the document below for other specified fields.
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/930004040.pdf

Requirements
and criteria• Is 18 years of age or older• Has passed a skill test and a Japanese language test (persons who have successfully completed TechnicalIntern Training (ii) are exempt from the testing requirement)• Has not resided in Japan under the status of Specified Skilled Worker (i) for a total of 5 years or more
• Is not being made to pay a security deposit and has not entered into a contract stipulating a payment of penalties• If there are expenses to be borne by the candidate, they fully understand the details of the expenses• Will be given remuneration equivalent or superior to if a Japanese national were to be engaged and others

Period of stayUpdates every 1 year, 6 months, 4 months（Up to 5 years in total）

Immigration Services Agency of Japan "For international students who wish totransfer to Specific Skills Visa"
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/policies/ssw/nyuukokukanri07_00003.html
73

Designated Activities

Activities

Specified Skilled Worker

Note: There are two types of status of residence Specified Skilled Worker: Specified Skilled Worker (i)and Specified Skilled Worker (ii). Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is a status of residence for foreign nationals
engaging in work requiring proficient skills belonging to specified industrial fields, and the fields are currently
limited to two: construction industry and shipbuilding/ship machinery industry.

Engineer /Specialist in Humanities /International Services

T h is is a system for accept i ng foreig n nat ionals wit h a specif ied level of specialt yand skills who are already capable in order to deal with the serious shor tage of labor.
It is a status of residence for foreign nationals engaging in work requiring considerable knowledge, skill,
and/or experience belonging to a specified industrial field.

Application for Change of
Status of ResidenceWith the objective of accepting foreign workers for industrial fields with a serious shortageof labor, the Act for Partial Amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition
Act and the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice was promulgated on December 14,
2018 and the new status of residence Specified Skilled Worker created on April 1, 2019.

Designated Activities(Public Notice No. 46: Graduates of a university in Japan)
To promote the retention of capable foreign workers who have graduated from universities or graduate
schools in Japan, a Ministry of Justice Public Notice was revised in May 2019 to expand opportunities
for employment of international students who are foreign nationals and are expected to contribute to
the revitalization of the economy in Japan.
The revision of a Ministry of Justice Public Notice to support
the employment of international students
This system permits graduates of universities in Japan to engage in a wide range of work at a public
or private organization in Japan with the requirement that they utilize the broad knowledge andskills acquired at universities and the like in Japan and the high level of Japanese language gained
through experience as an international student. General hospitality or manufacturing work is not
permitted as the major activity while under the status of residence Engineer / Specialist in Humanities/ International Services, but this system permits such activities if the requirements below are met.
However, work that is legally stipulated to be performed by a licensed person (requiring an occupational
license) and work related to adult entertainment are not permitted.

Major requirements for Designated Activities
Designated Activities (Public Notice No. 46: Graduates of a university in Japan)
Activities

Activities engaging in work based on a contract with a public or private organization in
Japan as designated by the Minister of Justice for work as a full-time employee of theaforementioned organization (including engaging in work requiring smooth communication
using the Japanese language and excluding engaging in work in the adult entertainment
business or work legally stipulated to be performed by a licensed person).

Requirements
and criteria

Persons who have graduated from a university or have completed a program at a graduate
school in Japan, have been awarded a degree, and have a high level of skill in theJapanese language are eligible.
① Academic history
Limited to graduation from a 4-year university or completion of a graduate school in Japan.
Graduation from a junior college or specialized training, or graduation from a university orcompletion of a graduate school in a foreign country are not eligible.
② Japanese language skilla) Persons scoring N1 on the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or 480 or
greater on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test are eligible.
b) In addition, persons who have graduated from a university having selected the Japanese
language as their major in university or graduate school are deemed to have fulfilled (a).
Persons who had selected the Japanese language as their major in university or
graduate school in a foreign country are also deemed to have fulfilled (a), however, insuch cases, the person also must have graduated from a university or have completed a
graduate school in Japan.
③ Wages
A person must be paid a wage equivalent or superior to if a Japanese national were to
be engaged. Whether the amount is equivalent or superior to Japanese nationals is notdetermined uniformly based on a set remuneration amount, but on whether the amount isequivalent or superior to Japanese nationals engaging in similar work based on the wage
constitution of the region and the individual company, referencing the wages of persons
engaging in similar work at other companies.

Period of stay

5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, or 3 months (Visa extension is applicable.)<Points of note>• Limited to work as a full-time employee. Part-time work, such as short hours, and contracts for a limited
period are not eligible.
• Only activities engaging in work during the contract period are eligible. Labor activities at anothercompany as a dispatched staff member are not permitted.
74

COLUMN ❺Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment forHighly-Skilled Foreign Professionals

1

Outline and Objectives of the System

Preferential Immigration Treatment

Three Categories of Activities ofHighly-Skilled Foreign Professionals
Advanced Academic Research
Activities [Highly-Skilled Professional (i) (a)]Activities of engaging in research, research guidance,or education based on a contract entered into with apublic or private organization in Japan

Advanced Business Management Activities[Highly-Skilled Professional (i) (c)]Activities of engaging in the operation or managementof a public or private organization in Japan[Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)]a. In conjunction with the activities of "Highly-Skilled Professional(i)", permitted to engage in almost all of the activities under theauthorization for employment
b. Granted an indefinite period of stayc. Eligible for the preferential treatment of the above-mentioned (3) to (6)*"Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)" is for foreign nationals who haveengaged in activities of "Highly-Skilled Professional (i)" for three
years or more.

Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/newimmiact_3_index.html

Open for Professionals/The portal site for utilizing highly-skilled foreign professionals
This site provides easy-to-understand information for foreign nationals on highly-skilled foreign
professionals who live in Japan or who are considering living in Japan, such as preferential treatment for
immigration, etc.
https://www.jetro.go.jp/hrportal/

75

Designated Activities

Advanced Specialized Technical Activities[Highly-Skilled Professional (i) (b)]Activities of engaging in work requiring specialized
knowledge or skills in the field of natural sciences orhumanities based on a contract entered into with apublic or private organization in Japan[Highly-Skilled Professional (i)](1) Permission for multiple residence activities in Japan(2) Granting of a five-year period stay(3) Easing of requirements for permanent residence with regard to theperiod of stay(4) Permission for the spouse of the highly-skilled foreign professional
to work(5) Permission to bring parent(s) to Japan under certain conditions(6) Permission to bring a domestic worker to Japan under certain
conditions(7) Preferential processing of entry and residence proceduresSpecified Skilled Worker

2

Engineer /Specialist in Humanities /International Services

The Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals was enacted on
May 7, 2012, for the purpose of promoting the entry of highly-skilled foreign professionals into the country.
The objective of this system is to promote the entry of highly-skilled foreign professionals into Japan by
dividing their activities into the three categories of [Advanced Academic Research Activities], [Advanced
Specialized Technical Activities] and [Advanced Business Management Activities], and awarding points
in accordance with their [Academic Background], [Work Experience], [Annual Salary], and other criteria
depending on the characteristics thereof, and granting preferential immigration treatment to those who achievea predetermined total of points (70 points).

Application for Change of
Status of ResidenceThis is a system in which points are allocated in accordance with the academic background, work experienceand annual salary, etc., of foreign nationals. Applicants who score 70 or more points receive preferential
treatment with regards to the easing of requirements for permanent residence, permission for spouses to work,and preferential processing of entry and residence procedures, etc.

Job Hunting Reports

76Mr. Tan Haojun

Nationality: Malaysia
University/school: Nanzan University
Faculty of Foreign Studies, Department of Asian Studies
Period of study in Japan: April 2018 to March 2022
Place of work: Toyota Tsusho Corporation
Japanese proficiency: JLPT N1■ How I researched industries and companies

I strongly wanted to "export Japanese products and thebest services to the world" using my own experience. In
Malaysia, high-quality Japanese products are popular,
but after-sales service is not satisfactory and there isroom for improvement. I wanted to get a job in Japanand establish cross-national, customer-centric services
as part of a social culture.

I researched industries that I didn't think I was interested
in, and I participated in internships and other programsfor industries that I found interesting. If you don't knowwhat industries are out there, I recommend using an
industry map.
Also, I think it is good to refer to the employment recordof the senior students.

■ Reason for choosing my company■ Things to be careful of during interviews

I wanted to expand customer-centric service to theworld, and Toyota Tsusho has the network to do so. I am
eager to provide the best service in the world. I would
like to listen to the local people and solve their issues.

I think it would be easier to answer if you replace"Reason for apply i ng", a n essent ial item on t heapplication for m, with "Reason why I think I cancontribute to the company" I didn't write my idea
and thoughts, but I wrote how I can contribute to thecompany based on my experience.

■ Company job content■ Things to be careful of during interviews

Toyota Tsusho provides products and services essential
to creating a rich and comfortable society in a wide
range of business areas around the world. We have sevensales headquarters, including Metals, Global Parts &Logistics and Automotive.

It's important to consider the goal of the interviewer.
I went into the interview always thinking about theinterviewer's intent of asking a question and what theywanted to know. I also think it's a good idea to make theinterview itself a fun event. You may get nervous andonly think about yourself, but it's best to relax and be
confident.

■ Self-promotion to companies
I appeal to companies with my strengths, such as mycommunication skills, ability to adapt to and service inany environment, as well as ability to think from theother person's point of view, which are personality traits
required in the industry and by companies. In responseto the question, I told them what kind of person I was.

■ Questions asked during interviews
Q uest ion s t hat I re me mbe r t he most we re what
personality and characteristic traits of my parents have
I inherited, and what I think I am lacking of now. Other
than that, most of the questions were basic.

■ Number of companies applied to during job hunting■ Hopes and plans for the future

Application : about 50, Company briefing sesson :60 (40 out of 60 were online), Internship : 5 (4 online
internships), Interview : about 30 (about 25 online
interviews)

I want to make the world a better place to live. I would
like to increase Asia's presence in the world.

■ Effective job hunting strategies■ Advice to future job-seekers

Taking in other people's opinions, gathering information
about social situations and job hunting from books, etc.,
gain experience in interviews, getting to know yourself
better than anyone else, and not pushing myself too far.

D u r i ng a n i nter v iew, it is i mpor t a nt to pre pa re
information such as your motivation for applying, yourapproach to job hunting, the company you are applying
for, the competitors, and your future. When it comes tojob hunting, the result is what you do and how much you
do, so those who set a plan and take it seriously have theadvantage.

77

Job Hunting Reports■ Reason for working in JapanMr. Subroto Prasetyo Hudiono

Nationality: Indonesia
University/school: Tokyo University of Technology Graduate school
Graduate School of Bionics, Media Science Program
Period of study in Japan: April 2018 to March 2022
Place of work: CAPCOM co., Ltd.
Japanese proficiency: Advanced (Business level)■ Reason for working in Japan■ How I researched industries and companies

I wanted to get a job in programming in Japan, where
technology is advanced. The fact that games produced inJapan are world-famous and many Japanese companies
being highly skilled were the main reasons for mydecision to enter the game industry.

In addition to par ticipating in company br ief ing
events that multiple companies participated, I researchindustries and companies by gathering information
through overseas forums.
Then, I made a list of and applied to companies I wasinterested in, while taking into account the opinions of
my seniors and teachers.

■ Reason for choosing my company■ Things to be careful of regarding application forms
and resumes

When I chose a company, I focused on whether they had
a comfortable work environment or high-level technicalskills, therefore I did a lot of research. My workplace
was an ideal company with a good working atmosphere,
an environment where I was constantly exposed to thelatest technology, and a career advancement system inplace that made me feel reassured.

It's impor tant to write our answers clearly. Many
students apply for the same company, so I thought a lot
about my strengths and thought it over and appealed. I
applied to several companies, and I wrote my answers
according to the companies I was applying to in order
to avoid having my application look sloppy from thecompany side.

■ Responsibilities at work
I program and develop game engine to create games.
In order to make it easier for other engineers to makegames, I take in any useful techniques, by studying newtechniques or research papers on my own.

■ Things to be careful of during interviews
I spent a lot of time prepar ing. I w rote dow n all
the expected questions and prepared to answer any
questions flexibly. I practiced a lot so I can participate
the interview confidently. I prepared questions for thecompanies for the end of the interview to show myinterest and willingness to work for them.

■ Self-promotion to companies
Te ch n ic a l s k i l l s a r e r e q u i r e d t o ge t a job a s aprogrammer, so I appealed with what I studied and what
I did when I was a student. In the gaming industry, many
new technologies and research are published every year.
In order to show my enthusiasm, curiosity, and desire
to study, I appealed with what I wanted to study in the
future and the skills I was interested in.

■ Questions asked during interviews
Companies always asked why I wanted to apply for thecompany. They also asked about something I worked
hard for, challenges and clarification on information in
my resume. In addition to these, they also asked sometechnical questions, including about my internships andresearch during school days.

■ Number of companies applied to during job hunting
Application : 6, Company briefing sesson : 3, Internship: 2, Interview : 3 (all online),■ Hopes and plans for the future■ Effective job hunting strategies

I want to develop technologies that can have an impact
on the world and present them at overseas conferences.

I looked for how I could contribute to the company
by considering what kind of job and environment I
wanted to work in and how I could use my skills. Byclarifying my reasons, I can confirm my values, whichleads to my appeal points. I was able to do the interview
with confidence by putting a lot of thought into mypreparations.

■ Advice to future job-seekers
Work takes up so much of our life that it's important tothink about whether it's something you really want to do.
If your job search isn't going your way, make a plan. It is
important to take action, no matter how small the impactof the action may be. Don't stop, take a step forward anddo it.

78

Ms. Olonbayar Amina

Nationality: Mongolia
University/school: Kindai University
Faculty of Business Administration, Business Administration
Period of study in Japan: April 2017 to March 2022
Place of work: ORIX Bank Corporation
Japanese proficiency: JLPT N1■ How I researched industries and companies

I decided to take a job in Japan because I wanted to gain
experience by fully utilizing the knowledge I gained inuniversity. Japan has a very well-equipped education
system, including training after joining the company, so
I thought that by putting in effort, I would have a chance
to play an active role.

I studied and gathered information from news andnewspaper articles about the current situation andfuture trends in the industry as a whole. With regard
to corporate research, after gaining basic knowledge
through company websites and briefings, I delved into
what I have heard about the company and related topics.

■ Reason for choosing my company■ Things to be careful of regarding application forms
and resumes

The "people" is important because financial institutions
provide services based on trust. Because of this, I
sought employment in a f inancial institution as I
believe I can grow more. The biggest reason I decided
to join my current company is that we have a uniquebusiness development that is different from other banks.
Specializing in real estate, it is attractive to be able
to acquire real estate knowledge while working as abanker.

I think it's important to write clearly so that evenstrangers can understand, and make them want tomeet and listen to what we have to say. Instead ofwriting something anyone could write, I tried to write
something I only could write. It's also a good idea tohave someone who doesn't know much about you read itonce.
■ Things to be careful of during interviews■ Company job content

I focused on being myself. Instead of thinking too muchabout "I have to use Keigo, honorific properly" or "what
if my Japanese is wrong," I focused on conveying myattractive points so they get to know more about me.

Rather than offering comprehensive ser vices, weoffer services that focus on our specialty, real estate.
Currently, I am responsible for a series of operations,from accepting loan applications to implementing themfor individuals who are purchasing mainstay investment
condominiums or apartment buildings.

■ Questions asked during interviews
The reason I wanted to get a job in Japan, reason for
applying, how I dealt with difficulties, what I worked
hardest for, and the life event that made me feel that I
have grown.

■ Self-promotion to companies
I talked about my experience managing school eventsand my abilit y to build relationships at my par ttime jobs. I emphasized my ability to look at things
objectively, notice problems, and think of solutions, aswell as my sense of commitment and communication
skills.

■ Hopes and plans for the future
I want to be someone who can be helpful and contributeto society. There are a lot of things I don't know yet, so I
want to increase my knowledge and grow in the future.

■ Number of companies applied to during job hunting■ Advice to future job-seekers

Application : 16, Company br ief ing sesson : 25,
Interview : 8 (all online),

I think job hunting is a good opportunity to reflect on
your own strengths, weaknesses, and past experiences.
Taking this opportunity, I hope you find what you aresuited for, what you want to do, and what you want tochallenge, so that you can achieve the most satisfying
results.

■ Effective job hunting strategies
Start preparing early. First of all, I think the first stepin job hunting is to think through self-analysis about
what you want to do and what you're good at. Before theinterview, I also prepared answers to commonly asked
questions and practiced while checking myself in frontof a mirror.

79

Job Hunting Reports■ Reason for working in JapanMr. CHAN YEN CHINationality: Taiwanese
University/school: Graduate school, University of Fukui Master's Degree
Major: Graduate School of Engineering
Period of study in Japan: April 2020 to March 2022
Place of work: NOHMI BOSAI LTD.
Japanese proficiency: JLPT N1■ Reason for working in Japan■ How I researched industries and companies

I have been studying Japanese by myself since I was in
the third year of college. I also studied in Japan for halfa year after learning about an exchange program. Since I
studied Japanese and majored in mechanical engineering
at high school and university, I thought that if I worked
in Japan, which is one of the most advanced countries in
the world in the field of mechanical engineering, I would
be able to acquire skills and knowledge. Therefore, I
went on to graduate school in Japan, and after that, I
looked for a job in Japan.

When I participated in a company briefing and foundthat I liked the company, I looked at the reviews fromcurrent and former employees of the company andconsidered whether to apply.
■ Things to be careful of regarding application forms
and resumes
Language and grammar are important, but I think thecontent is the most important. After you finish writing,I recommend that you ask the teacher or a third party tocheck if the sentence accurately conveys what you wantto say.

■ Reason for choosing my company
I researched many companies especially focusing on
design in the machine field. I felt that the developmenta nd desig n of d isa st e r preve nt ion equ ipme nt isworthwhile because it has a mission to protect the safetyof society.

■ Things to be careful of during interviews
The interviewer wants to know what kind of person
you are. I think they are trying to understand you fromthe responses and answers to their questions and makesure you are the right person. So, I prepared answers
based on various scenarios in advance and went to theinterview.

■ Company job content
As a manufacturer of disaster prevention equipment,
they provide disaster prevention systems such as
automatic fire alarm systems and fire extinguishingsystems. Their f ield cover a wide range of areas
including general housing, buildings, stations, airports,
large-scale facilities, cultural assets, medical andwelfare facilities, and ships.

■ Questions during interviews
Other than the standard questions such as the reason
for studying in Japan and the reason for applying, thequestions that I still remember are "The difference
between a student and an employee" and "What do you
think will happen to you in a few years?"■ Self-promotion to companies■ Hopes and plans for the future

I told the story about how I had studied hard for half ayear and passed the JLPT N1 test on my own, and how
I tried to make a drone for my university graduation
project.

I want to develop in novative disaster prevention
products that enable people around the world to live
safely based on innovative ideas by learning about newtechnologies and knowledge and applying them to mywork.

■ Number of companies applied to during job hunting
Application : 10, Company br ief i ng sesson : 10,
Internship : 6, Interview : 3 Everything was conducted
online■ Advice to future job seekers
As a foreign national, you may feel that job hunting
in Japan is unfamiliar and difficult. But the time you
put into your efforts will not betray you. It will leadto a good result if you improve your Japanese ability,
conduct self-analysis, corporate research, and prepare
well for interviews and documents.

■ Effective job hunting strategies
I carried out thorough research, not only identifying
the work I wanted to do, but research into the company
including its reputation. I also prepared myself so that
I could tell the company about what I want to do, mystrengths, and how I can use my experience at work.

80Mr. Oner Enes

Nationality: Turkish
University/school: Tokyo Keizai University
Major: Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics
Period of study in Japan: April 2017 to March 2021
Place of work: Marre Co., Ltd.
Japanese proficiency: JLPT N1■ How I researched industries and companies

Than ks to the suppor t of many Japanese people,
including people from the international exchange section
and the career center of the university, I was able tocontinue my studies and look for a job while studying inJapan, which is an unfamiliar environment. I believe I
was able to graduate from college because of them. Thisis the reason I wanted to find a job in Japan and becomea person who can help Japanese people.

I asked alumni who are actually working in the industry
or company about their true feedback and comparedwhat I wanted to do with what I could do in the industry.
Also, there were many former international students
at the Moriya Scholarship Foundation, so I collected
information directly from them.
■ Things to be careful of regarding application forms
and resumes■ Reason for choosing my company

I looked at the companies submitting my resume andfocused on what I could contribute to their missions.
Also, I tried to make it concise so my documents areeasy to understand.

I decided to join the company because I admired thecompany's vision of acting as a bridge between Japanand overseas as a specialist trading company. I am
convinced that by joining this company, I will be able
to play an active role in the globalizing of the Japanesesociety.

■ Things to be careful of during interviews
I was very caref ul about my attitude and behavior
because my behavior at the interview affects not only
myself but also the image of the university. Other thanthat, I did my best to carry myself with confidence
during interviews.

■ Company job content and my responsibilities at thecompany
We a re engaged i n t he i mpor t a nd wholesale ofprocessed foods and agricultural products from various
countries, as well as contact with food manufacturers
including import agents. Among them, I am in charge of
dealing with imports from Turkey and other countries
regarding the domestic sales of imported products.

■ Questions during interviews
Reasons for coming to Japan, reasons for applying,
what you want to do in the company, how many othercompanies you have applied to, and whether I would end
job hunting if I got a job offer from the company.

■ Self-promotion to companies■ Hopes and plans for the future

I strengthened my social skills by acting as the head of
the international student society at my university for two
years. Furthermore, I also worked at a part-time in thefood industry and was able to raise the sales of products,
exceeding expectations and achieving good results
through creative sales promotions.

I want to be a person who can contribute to society
through my current job.
■ Advice to future job-seekers■ Number of companies applied to during job hunting

Analyze yourself properly, be confident in yourself,and challenge yourself without fear. Personally, I would
like to place importance on human relations so that myseniors and colleagues at my workplace will say, "I'm
happy to work with you."

Application : 14, Company briefing sesson : 8 (including
3 online sessions), Internship : 1, Interview : 5 (including
1 online interview)■ Effective job hunting strategies
Six months before I started looking for a job in fullswing, I conducted a thorough self-analysis to get toknow myself better. I participated in company andindustry briefings to see if they fit me. I also exchanged
information with members of the international student
society and discussed the pros and cons of working intheir respective industries as foreign nationals.

81

Job Hunting Reports■ Reason for working in Japan

Useful "JASSO Job Hunting Support" websites

https://www.jasso.go.jp/ryugaku/after_study_j/job/info.html
1. Employment Service Centers for Foreigners- Services: Provision of employment information, counseling and job placement, and internships- Locations: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka- Languages supported: Tokyo and Fukuoka: English, Chinese and Ukrainian/ Osaka and Nagoya:
English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Ukrainian- Consultation methods: Telephone and in person- URL: Tokyo https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/tokyo-foreigner/
Osaka https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/osaka-foreigner/
Nagoya https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/aichi-foreigner/
Fukuoka https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/fukuoka-roudoukyoku/hw/fuzoku_kikan/gaisen.html

2. Public Employment Offices (Hello Work Offices)- Services: Employment counseling- Locations: Each prefecture- Languages supported: Japanese- Hello Work locations where foreign languages are supported: 47 prefectures- Languages supported: Languages supported: English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean,
Tagalog, Vietnamese, Thai, Nepali and Indonesian (varies by region)- Consultation methods: Telephone and in person- Hello Work Internet Service
URL: https://www.hellowork.mhlw.go.jp/- Hello Work for new graduates
URL: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000132220.html

3. Immigration Information Centers- Services: Counseling on procedures for entering Japan, visa applications, etc.
Phone:
0570-013904(IP Phone, from overseas: +81-3-5796-7112)- L ocations: S apporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, Takamatsu,
Fukuoka and Naha
- Languages supported: English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Vietnamese. (varies by region)- email: info-tokyo@i.moj.go.jp(Languages supported: Japanese and English)- URL: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/consultation/center/index.html

4. Immigration Services Agency and Regional Immigration Bureaus- Services: Procedures for changing status of residence, etc.
- Locations: Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Yokohama, Nagoya,
Chubu Airport, Osaka, Kansai Airport, Kobe, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Fukuoka and Naha
- Languages supported: Japanese- Consultation methods: Telephone and in person- URL: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/

5. The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry- Services: Provision of company information and information related to job hunting, and recruitment for internships(Specific services may not be available at all locations.)- Locations: Each prefecture- Languages supported: Japanese* Targets: Not limited to foreign nationals.
- Consultation methods: Telephone and in person- URL: https://www.jcci.or.jp/

International Scholarship Division,
Student Exchange Department

2-2-1 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8630 Japan
Phone +81-3-5520-6030 Fax +81-3-5520-6031
NOTE: Unauthorized use and reproduction of content in this document is prohibited.

Issued February 2023 / Not for sale