Q: Why is Professional Etiquette so important when withdrawing from an Interview?

The recruitment world in Japan is very small. Hiring managers and recruiters often share networks. If you “ghost” a company, people will remember your name.

Ghosting or a “no-show” can:

・Damage your professional reputation permanently.
・Lead to being blacklisted by top recruitment agencies.
・Waste the valuable time of experts who prepared for you.

Point: Business is built on trust. A simple message shows you are a reliable professional.

Q: How should I handle a withdrawal with a recruitment agency?

Recruitment consultants are your career partners. They work hard to find roles that match your skills. Even if you decide not to pursue the roles they offer, failing to show up for a consultation is a breach of professional trust. If you decide to stop your search, notify them immediately. Even a short message is better than silence.

If you can no longer attend a meeting with a recruiter, follow these steps:

・Be honest: If you are no longer looking for a job, say so.　
・Don’t wait: Even a short text or email is better than silence.
・Think of the future: Recruiters will keep you in mind for future roles if you are polite now.

Point: Recruiters talk to many companies. Keeping a good relationship with them opens doors later.

Q: What is the proper way of withdrawing from an Interview?

If you need to cancel an interview with a potential employer, timing is everything. You must respect their schedule.

・24-Hour Rule: Contact the company as soon as you decide. Give at least 24 hours of notice.
・Choose the right channel: Is the interview less than 24 hours away? Use a phone call first. Then, send an email. If the meeting is a few days away, a professional email is enough.

Q: What are some simple templates I can use to withdraw professionally?

Writing these messages can feel difficult. Use these simple templates to maintain professional etiquette.

Scenario A: Rescheduling due to an emergency (急な日程調整のご相談)

English

Subject: Rescheduling Request – [Position Name] – [Your Name]

Dear [Name], Please accept my apologies. I cannot attend our interview on [Date] due to an emergency. I am still very interested in this role. Can we reschedule for [Date] or [Date]? I am sorry for the inconvenience.
[Your Name]

Japanese

件名： 面接日程調整のお願い（[職種名]）－ [氏名]

[採用担当者名、またはリクルーター名] 様

大変申し訳ございませんが、急な事情により、予定しておりました[日付/時間]の面接に伺うことが難しくなってしまいました。

貴社のお仕事には大変関心を持っております。もし可能であれば、以下の日程にて再度調整をいただくことは可能でしょうか。 [候補日 1] [候補日 2]

直前のご連絡となり、多大なるご迷惑をおかけしますことを深くお詫び申し上げます。

何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。
[氏名]

Scenario B: Withdrawing after receiving another offer (選考辞退のご連絡)

English

Subject: Withdrawal of Application – [Your Name]

Dear [Name], Thank you for the opportunity to interview for [Position Name]. I am writing to withdraw my application as I have accepted another offer that matches my career goals. I appreciate your time and wish your company success.
[Your Name]

Japanese

件名： 選考辞退のご連絡 － [氏名]

[採用担当者名、またはリクルーター名] 様

この度は[職種名]の面接機会をいただき、誠にありがとうございました。

大変恐縮ながら、この度他社より内定をいただき、そちらへの入社を決意いたしました。つきましては、本選考を辞退させていただきたくご連絡申し上げます。

本来であれば直接お詫びすべきところ、メールでのご連絡となりますことご容赦ください。貴重なお時間を割いていただいたことに、心より感謝申し上げます。

貴社の益々のご発展をお祈り申し上げます。

敬具
[氏名]

Scenario C: Cancelling a meeting with an agency (面談キャンセルのご連絡)

English

Subject: Regarding our meeting on [Date] – [Your Name]

Dear [Recruiter Name], Thank you for your help with my job search. I have decided to put my job search on hold for now. Hence, I need to cancel our meeting on [Date].

I will contact you again when I am ready. Thank you for your understanding.
[Your Name]

Japanese

件名： [日付]の面談キャンセルと活動休止のご連絡 － [氏名]

[リクルーター名] 様

お世話になっております。キャリア相談のお時間をいただきありがとうございます。

現在の状況を鑑み、転職活動を一度休止することにいたしました。そのため、予定しておりました[日付]の面談を一度キャンセルさせていただきたく存じます。

また活動を再開する際には、改めてこちらからご連絡させていただきます。ご調整いただいたにもかかわらず、お手間を取らせてしまい申し訳ございません。

よろしくお願い申し上げます。
[氏名]

Q: Are there any final tips for sending these emails?

When you use these templates, remember these small but important details:

・Copy accurately: Make sure the company name and the person’s name are correct.
・Include the subject line: Japanese recruiters receive many emails. A clear subject line is vital for professional etiquette.
・Send as soon as possible: In Japan, “early notice” is more important than “perfect grammar.”

Take Away

Your professional reputation is your most valuable asset. Even if you don’t join a company today, you might meet those people again. You might even apply to that same company in three years. By being communicative, you show high integrity. A simple email takes two minutes to write. However, a lost reputation can last a lifetime.

Always choose professional communication over silence. It keeps your career path clear. Silence is a bridge-burner. A polite “No” in Japanese builds a future “Yes.”

The post Withdrawing from an Interview Correctly appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

Personal branding is your reputation. It is what people say about you when you are not in the room. For an expat job change, a strong brand acts as a bridge. It connects your foreign experience with the needs of Japanese employers.

This guide shows you how to use an AI career coach to find your unique voice. We will use simple steps to help you land your dream role.

1. Self-Analysis: Finding Your Professional Orientation

Every strong brand starts with a deep internal audit, known in Japan as Jiko Bunseki. Without this, your job search is like a ship without a compass. To simplify this, we categorize professional characters into four distinct “Orientation Types.” Understanding which one you are allows you to target the right corporate culture.

The Four Orientation Types:

・Achievement-Oriented: These professionals live for the “Win.” They are motivated by daily, weekly, or monthly targets. If you feel a rush of satisfaction when hitting a KPI, this is you.

・Customer-Oriented: These individuals are the “Empaths” of the office. They prioritize the client’s point of view and specialize in long-term relationship building. They often care more about the “Thank You” than the “Invoice.”

・Lead-Oriented: These are the visionaries. They develop new rules, incorporate driving forces into the business, and move people with fresh ideas. They seek freedom and dislike heavy constraints.

・Autonomous: These are the “Initiators.” They clarify goals, organize teams, and try several strategic approaches until they find the one that works. They are the backbone of management.

Point: You might feel like you fit all four. However, branding is about focus. Pick one primary and one secondary type to create a “Signature Style.”

How to use AI here:

Most people have “blind spots.” You might be too humble or too close to your work. Use an AI to find patterns in your history. Instead of just guessing, use AI to analyze your actual work history. It can find the “Golden Thread” in your career that you might have missed.

Prompt 1: “I am an expat in Japan performing a self-analysis of Japan for my next career move. Here is a list of my daily tasks and achievements from the last three years: [Paste your list here]. Based on the four orientations—Achievement, Customer, Lead, and Autonomous—which one is my strongest? Please provide evidence from my text.”

Prompt 2: I am an expat in Japan performing a deep self-analysis Japan exercise. I will provide my last 5 years of project descriptions. I want you to act as a career psychologist. Categorize my work style into one of these four types: Achievement, Customer, Lead, or Autonomous. Look for hidden patterns. Do I mention ‘targets’ more than ‘people’? Do I mention ‘new rules’ more than ‘following protocols’? Here is my data: [Paste Work History]

2. Creating Your Professional USP

Once you know your orientation, you must translate it into a Unique Selling Point (USP). A common mistake expats make is listing what they did rather than what value they brought. In 2026, Japanese employers ask one silent question: “So what?”

“I am a salesperson” is a title. “I am an Achievement-Oriented Sales Manager who increased Tokyo market share by 15% using AI-driven lead scoring” is a brand.

Bridging the Cultural Gap:

In Western branding, we are taught to “brag.” In Japan, excessive bragging feels “sneaky” or arrogant. The goal is Self-Promotion through Value-Contribution. You aren’t saying you are the best; you are saying you have the exact tools to solve the company’s specific problem.

Point 1: Use the “Rule of Three.” Your USP should contain: Your Orientation + Your Core Skill + Your Quantifiable Result.
Point 2: Avoid using vague words like “hardworking” or “passionate.” Use specific, data-backed claims instead.

How to use AI here:

AI is excellent at “sentiment analysis.” It can check if your brand sounds motivated or just tired. It can help you strike a balance between “Confident Leader” and “Cultural Match.”

Prompt 1: “I want to create a professional USP for the Japanese job market 2026. I am a [Your Orientation Type] professional with [Number] years of experience. My biggest achievement is [Achievement]. Create three versions of a USP for me. One should be high-impact for foreign firms, another should be humble yet strong for traditional firms. Last one should be a balanced mix.”

Prompt 2: “I have identified as a [Your Orientation Type] professional. My core skill is [Skill] and my best result is [Result]. Generate 5 versions of a professional USP for me. I need them to sound attractive to a hiring manager in a Tokyo-based foreign-affiliated firm. Ensure the language is active, clear, and avoids ‘corporate fluff’. Focus on how my [Orientation] directly solves a business problem.”

3. Building Your Brand Narrative through Cross-Checking

This is the most critical stage. We call this Brand Cross-checking. A brand fails if the message is inconsistent. If your LinkedIn says you are “Lead-Oriented” (a visionary), but your Shokumukeirekisho focuses entirely on “clerical accuracy” (a Customer/Autonomous trait), the recruiter will lose trust.

The “Stress Test” for your Brand

1. Written Word: Resume, CV, and Cover Letter.
2. Digital Footprint: LinkedIn profile and professional posts.
3. Spoken Word: Your “Tell me about yourself” interview response.

All three must sing the same song. If you are “Autonomous,” your stories must highlight times you took the initiative without being asked.

How to use AI here:

AI can act as a “Brand Auditor” to find contradictions in your documents. Use AI to cross-check your stories. It can find “Impact Metrics” you might have forgotten.

Prompt 1: “I want to cross-check my personal brand story. My brand is [Your Type]. Here is a story about a project I handled: [Paste story]. Does this story support my brand? If not, suggest how I can highlight my leadership or results more clearly for the Japanese job market 2026.”

Prompt 2: “I am applying for a role as a [Target Job Title]. My personal brand is [Your Type]. I will paste my Cover Letter and my Resume below. Please cross-check them. Is the ‘voice’ consistent? Does the Cover Letter emphasize the same strengths as the Resume? Highlight any sentences that sound like they belong to a different orientation type. [Paste Documents]”

4. Branding Across Resumes and LinkedIn

Data gets you the interview; stories get you the job. To make your brand “human,” you must turn your achievements into a narrative. We recommend the STAR+ Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result + Learning/Reflection).

The “Reflection” part is what Japanese employers love. It shows you aren’t just a “results machine,” but someone who thinks about the corporate culture and how to improve the team.

Refining your stories

Instead of just saying “I led a team,” say: “I noticed the team was struggling with [Situation]. As a Lead-Oriented professional, I felt motivated to try something new. I implemented [Action], which resulted in [Result]. Looking back, I learned that [Reflection].”

Point: Your LinkedIn headline should not just be your job title. It should be your professional USP.
Write down three “Signature Stories” for your brand. One for a success, one for a failure (and how you fixed it), and one for a team conflict.

How to use AI here:

AI can help you find “Impact Metrics” and polish your grammar so it sounds natural and high-level. It can help you “localize” your brand. It can bridge the cultural gap in your writing.

Prompt 1: “Act as a Japanese job market 2026 expert. Rewrite my LinkedIn ‘About’ section to reflect my [Your Orientation Type] brand. Ensure the tone is professional and suitable for a foreign-affiliated company in Tokyo. Keep sentences short and use active verbs. Here is my current text: [Paste text].”

Prompt 2: “I want to polish a brand story for my expat job change. I will provide a rough draft of a success story. I want you to rewrite it using the STAR method. Crucially, add a final paragraph called ‘Reflection’ that shows my [Your Type] mindset. Make the English simple but sophisticated. [Paste Story Draft]”

5. Verification: The Final Brand Polish

Before you apply, you must test your brand. You need to know if you sound consistent. If your resume says “Autonomous” but your cover letter sounds “Customer-Oriented,” you will confuse the employer.

This is a final check. You are ensuring that every part of your application speaks the same language.

Branding Checklist for 2026

Before you hit “Apply” on our job board, run your brand through this final checklist:
・Clarity: Can a non-expert understand your USP in 10 seconds?
・Evidence: Do you have at least two “Signature Stories” for your orientation?
・Localization: Does your brand respect the Japanese emphasis on “Process”?
・Digital Sync: Does your LinkedIn headline match your Resume’s objective?

Point: Consistency builds trust. Trust leads to job offers.

How to use AI here:

Use AI to perform a “brand audit” on your full application package.

Prompt: “I am applying for a job in Japan. Here are my Resume, Cover Letter, and USP: [Paste all]. Cross-check these documents for consistency. Do I sound like a [Your Type] professional in all of them? Point out any contradictions that might confuse a recruiter.”

Take Away

Use the Human Touch

Personal branding can feel overwhelming when you think you are alone. Many people get “stuck” in self-analysis because they are too close to their own history. By using AI for personal branding as a coach, you gain a fresh perspective. You move from “failing to communicate individuality” to “clearly articulating your future goals.” AI provides the logic and the structure, but your unique experiences provide the soul.

Your brand is your promise to your future employer. Make sure it’s a promise you are proud to keep.

A job change is a journey of self-discovery. Don’t do it alone. Use the tools available to clarify your goals and ambitions. When you understand your own brand, you become unstoppable.

External Resources for Expats:

• JETRO: Understanding Japanese Business Culture
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Working Visa Information

The post AI for Personal Branding: Build your own brand story! appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

(1) Clothes

If clothing is not specified, suits are the preferred basis. Always wear a clean suit and shoes. Wearing an all-black ”recruitment suit” with a white shirt might give and impression of inexperience but avoid vibrant patterns and decorations. Keep in mind the color combinations and have one more look at yourself in the mirror before heading out to an interview.

What is the color effect of the suit?

• ・Navy = Confidence. Great during important interviews such as the first or the final one.
• ・Dark gray = Calm and collected. Great for interviews where you have to logically explain your reasoning and persuade the other party.
• ・Black = Hospitality. Often seen in the service industry and luxury retail.

What is the best color of the tie?

• ・Yellow = Affinity: Makes a good first impression.
• ・Blue = Logical: Good for second stage interviews.
• ・Red = Enthusiasm: Effective for the final deciding interview.

A skirt or a pant suit?

• ・Pant Suit = Active impression: For those who are expected to move actively, such as sales.
• ・Skirt = Gentle impression: Ideal for back-office or customer service roles.

(2) Materials and what to bring

Application documents

Don’t forget to bring your resumes, work history document, CVs, and other documents that should be submitted to the company. If not specified, make sure to check before the interview.

Questions

Make sure to organize the unclear points about the position that you applied for and the information you would like to confirm in more detail.

Pens and notebooks

It may be necessary to take a written test or note down the date of the next interview. Taking notes during the interview is also sometimes permitted by the company.

Mints or other breath fresheners

Most of the interviews are conducted face-to-face so you want to avoid having a bad breath.

(3) Interview manners

Manners are important both at the first impression and throughout the interview process.

• ・When first meeting the interviewer, greet them with a smile and a bow.
• ・Only sit down after the interviewer sits
• ・When standing up, put your weight on both of your feet
• ・Don’t lean back in your chair.
• ・After completing the interview, return the chair to its original position

The post Etiquette for Interview appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

(1) Sign the offer letter

Confirm the offered position, conditions (contract form, annual income, etc.), and the start date of employment, sign the offer letter and send it to the company or the agent. In general, you are expected to respond within one week after receiving the offer.

(2) Resignation negotiations

Negotiate resignation from your current position in good faith. First, consult your immediate supervisor. There are cases where the person in charge (general manager, president) need more time to approve your retirement, so if you get a job offer, start negotiations early on. Legally, you can resign within two weeks after giving notice, but generally you should start talking with your supervisor more than one month prior to your retirement.

(3) Preparations for joining the company

Documents to be submitted vary dependeing on the company, but in general, resident cards, pension notebooks, employment insurance eligibility certificates, withholding slip, identity card, bank account information, health certification, and your seal (”hanko”, for Japanese companies) are required. Remember that your employment insurance certificate and tax withholding record are documents you receive from your previous workplace. In addition, if you do not have a medical certificate, you might have to take a medical examination at your own expense immediately before joining the new company. Therefore, it is recommended that the you take your medical examination every year.

(4) Joining a company

On the first day of your new job, make sure to head out a little bit early and have all the necessary documents prepared. Make a great first impression by keeping thigs simple and coming in well groomed and prepared.

The post Flow After Receiving an Offer appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

Letter of resignation rejected!

If your current employer is in a shortage of personnel or if you were covering a position that is difficult to fill, the employer may reject your letter of resignation.
However, if resignation is not permitted despite informing the employer of your intention to resign it might be considered an “illegal actions” on the side of the company.

Under the Civil Code you have the right to resign two weeks after submitting your letter of resignation. However, if you do not comply with the company’s regulations regarding the resignation procedures, even if you are declined resignation it will be not deemed an illegal action on the company’s side. Confirm the resignation regulations of your current company and make sure to follow the prescribed procedures. If you have done everything according to the regulations and are still being denied resignation, be prepared to take a firm stance.

After the result of the medical examination, the new employer cancelled the offer of employment.

Generally, results of the medical examination cannot be used as a basis for deciding whether to employ a candidate, as this might be seen as occupational discrimination. * In case of certain occupational categories, such as vehicle drivers, it is possible to use health information as a basis for judgment. However, if the candidate has lied about or hidden facts regarding their health during the interview, the employer may cancel the job offer. If you are asked about your health condition, make sure to answer honestly.

My current employer promised me a salary raise if I stayed

At the time of the resignation negotiations, your current employer may ask you to stay.
They might promise to give you a salary raise and better work conditions, but keep in mind that these promises might not necessarily be true.
If the new company you would like to join is more appealing to you, take that opportunity without looking back.
Current employers might try to convince you that it is a great risk to change jobs and will do whatever it takes to keep you in their company. Many people decide to stay after going through the resignation negotiations.
In this case, it would be better to consider the “risk of staying your company” rather than the “risk of leaving the company”.
A company that can raise your salary at this time is actually revealing that you were not given fair evaluation for your work until now. The company that uses these methods is usually concerned about the work that needs to be taken care of right away and might start looking for your replacement very soon. Being given good short-term conditions, does not mean that they will last. You should make careful decisions from a long-term perspective.

I want to change the start date at my new company!

There may be some unavoidable circumstances that will delay your start at your new company, such as the handover activitites taking longer than expected. When negotiating a chage of the start date, make sure to let the employer know that you made all the efforts to start at the first agreed date.

Depending on the company, the training period might be adjusted together with other employees who are to join the company on the same day.
Changing the start date might cause a significant burden on your new company, so it is better not to change it unless absolutely necessary. Do not change the start date for personal reasons such as travel or visiting your home country, as this may cause you to lose some credibility and trust even before starting your new job.

I am not allowed to use my paid holidays!

The right to take paid leave is stipulated in the Labor Standards Law (Article 39 of the Labor Standards Law). This applies regardless of whether the paid holidays are stated in the Company Regulations. If the company denies an employee the right to use his paid leave before resignation, it could be considered an illegal act.

However, it is a violation of good manners to take your paid leave if this causes problems in business operations at your current company. If you wish to use your paid leave at the time of your resignation, proceed as follows:
① Confirm how many paid holiday days you have left.
② Complete handover activities and propose the dates when you would like to use up your paid leave.

It is often best to try and take your paid leave while not causing inconvenience to your current employer.

I was harassed by my current employer because of my new job.

Japanese can be very narrow minded. Employers can be unsupportive when employees find a better opportunity in an different field. And even more so if it is in the same industry. People generally tent to spread more negative rumors than positive ones, so others around might feel negative about those who change jobs.

After informing your current company about your resignation, many will ask you about your next company and what you will be doing next. The best thing to do here would be to answer “I’ll tell you after things have settled down”. Also, to avoid a negative feelings regarding your resignation, pay utmost care to the timing and resignation negotiations.

The post Common Issues appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

(1) How to apply for a VISA

There are two main ways how to apply for a VISA.
① Apply for a VISA in your home country and travel to the country of employment after receiving your VISA
② Apply for a VISA at a consulate outside of the country of your employment and re-enter Japan after receiving your VISA

※ If you have enough time before departure, it is highly recommended that you apply for a VISA at your home country and travel outl after you have obtained it.
※ In some cases, application methods or visa types are frequently revised by countries. Make sure to confirm the latest information on the consulate website of your country.

(2) Documents necessary for application

Depending on the country, job type, and VISA type, the nescessary documents may vary, but the following are usually required. Make sure to have enough time to prepare all the nescessary documents that you might need (e.g., Criminal Record Certificate)
① Valid passport
② ID photos (Recent photo, taken from the front, white background, color, size required might differ by the country)
③ Employment certificate (notice of intentional employment, offer letter, etc.) from the company that has decided to offer you emplyment
④ Certificate of graduation (University Diploma)
⑤ Application fee

(3) Time required to obtain the VISA

Based on the assumption that you have prepared all the necessary documents, the time required from filing the application to the issuance of the VISA is five business days, starting from the following day on which the Japanese Consulate has received your application. If you have all the necessary documents, it would be better to assume that the average period needed for the visa procedure is about one month, regardless of the country. However, the necessary time might vary depending on the time when you are applying. The process will take longer if you apply during busy seasons such as before consecutive holidays.
In addition, the time required to acquire a VISA varies depending on the person. Even if your friend got their visa in one week, it might not be the same for you. In case there are any issues or uncertainties about your application, the process might take much longer than expected and might even end up in you not receiving a VISA.

The post How to Obtain a VISA appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

(1) In the event of resignation

Items to be returned to the company

• ・Employee’s card
• ・Health insurance card (including dependents)

Item to receive from the Company

• ・Resignation notice / End of contract notice
  A resignation notice is required to be submitted to Hello Work when receiving unemployment benefits from employment insurance. After resignation, documentation is sent to you from your previous employer and the procedure is completed. Unemployment benefits must meet such requirements as having an insured period of 12 months or more in the two years prior to the date of separation from employment.
• ・Withholding slip (tax-withholding record of employment income)
  This is a certification of the total salary paid in the year of resignation. This will be given to you on the day of resignation or sent to you about one month after resignation This is mainly used for year-end adjustments at new jobs and as a reference for salary assessments.
  In addition, tax withholding records are required for job seekers who change jobs at the end of the year and are not ready for the year-end adjustment when they need to file tax returns themselves.

(2) Procedures for joining a new company

Documents that are generally required to be submitted to a company

• ・Your bank account for receiving salary
• ・Pension Handbook (To confirm the Pension Number)
• ・Employment Insurance Certificate (To confirm the insurance number)

Documents that very depending on the company

• ・Certificate of Identity (Along with a guarantors seal)
• ・Written pledge
• ・Survey of Social Insurance-Related Documents
• ・Certificate of items stated in resident register
• ・Confidentiality pledge
• ・Certificate of Graduation (copy)

The post Resignation and Registration Procedures appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

(1) Self-introduction

Sit upright, face the interviewer and begin by introduing yourself by your full name. Briefly talk about your job experience that can be used in the position that you are applying for (30 seconds to 1 minute). The interviewer will ask in more detail about your work history later in the interview so no need to go into detail during this introduction.

This is also a good opportunity to check the compatibility between you and the company. Your expression and tone of voice will also be looked at.

(2) Explanation of your career background

Summarize your work and skills that you have acquired until now. Among them, talk about specific numbers and achievements, to convey your particular strengths. Focus on the skills and experience that will be used in the new position. Avoid discussing skills or experience irrelevant to the organization or position.

The interviewers are trying to get to know more about you and your skills that can be utilized in their company.

(3) Describing your motivations

This is the place to talk about why you would like to work for this specific company. It is important to look at yourself fro the company’s perspective.
To prepare for this part, look up information about the company you are applying for by reading the company’s official pages and related articles.
Keep in mind the flow of your responses such as “I want to use my previous XX experience to help your company, specialing in XX by working as a XX.”

This is where your career plans, strengths and thoughts on the company are made clear.

(4) Questions and answers

Here we discuss the questions that are often asked by interviewers. If you want to ask about the questions you prepared beforehand, do it when the interviewvers give you the space. Specific questions and sample answers will be introduced on the next page “(3) Interview questions and sample answers”.

Strengths and weaknesses

In order to put atention mainly on your strenghts, it is good to use more time to talk about them and try to make the interviewers remember them. For example: In my former job, I succeeded in a new project.
“Refrain from talking too much about your weaknesses that could negatively effect you in the position that you are applying for. It is important to convey that you are willing to improve your weak areas: “I had trouble managing tasks and deadlines, therefore I have been learning new techniques to better manage time and ensure that I improve in this area.”

This question is asked to determine whether your weaknesses might interfere with the work and to check your problem-solving skills.

Career Plan

Be aware of what kind or people the company is looking for and answer this question while imagining yourself working in the company. If your desired career path is not inline with what is possible with the company, it could indicate that you are not an appropriate candidate.

People who do not have a strong career plan tend to quit more easily, when facing any troubles at work. It is also important to confirm whether the career plan can be realized at the company you are applying for.

About dissatisfaction with your current position

Be aware that harsh expressions or poor speech may raise questions about your communication abilities and adaptability. If you express your dissatisfaction with some factors of your previous company that are also present in the company you are applying for, it might make it difficult for them to hire you. Make sure to thoroughly research the company that you are applying for before making any negative comments about your previous workplace.

This question is to determine your problem-solving skills and positive attitude. Your expression and the language you use will also be examined.

The post Flow of Interview appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

Why did you want to change jobs?

If you express dissatisfaction with your current position, the interviewers might think that you may quit again if you feel dissatisfied after joining the company. Think about the way in which your words are expressed, and translate negative things into positive conclusions.

For example, let’s tell you a clear goal: “I can’t do it,” → “I’d like to grow in the area of △△

Be aware of focusing on your future and development!

Please tell us why have you applied to our company.

Answer this question based on your reasons for changing jobs. Ensure that you study the company and the position beforehand to make your answer even better.

Consider answering your own aspirations and objectivity for persuasive reasons!

What are your greatest achievements?

This is a good question to show off your achievements. Take this opportunity to shine and make yourself stand out. Try to discuss things you have done that you are proud of but that will also be relevant to the organization or position you are applying for. Talk about your achievements, how you achieved them and what was achieved, preferable in numeric values.

It is important to answer not only the results of the numbers, but also the processes such as “How did you have a track record?” and “Why did you succeed?”

What are some failures you have experienced?

This question is the opposite of the above achievements question. Discuss why you think you failed, what you learned and what improvements have you made since then.

Let’s emphasize cause, effect, action and efforts to prevent recurrence!

When do you feel motivated by your work?

Candidates who change jobs are expected to be work-ready right away. It is important to understand wht kind of people the company is looking for and talk about yourself while keeping this in mind.

Let’s use past examples to create an image of how your presence leads your company to success!

If hired, what are the experiences and skills that you can leverage?

This is a question for interviewers to understand the applicants motivation to work and their compatibility. Answer this question by using your actual experiences so far, however, it is important to note that you might be asked if you can feel the same satisfction in the company that you are applying for.

If you can, share a story that will make the interviewers believe that you will be a great fit for the company.

Tell us what we know about our services and products.

Before interviewing for a company, it is important to deepen your product knowledge through the official page of the company and to get a sense of the market through reviews by users. Rarely, you may be asked “What kind of improvement would you make?” so you should prepare your own answers, keeping in mind not to talk about the company’s lacking points too much.

Talk about the company’s products and services and your willingness to deepen your knowledge about them as if you are already a member of the company.

What challenges do you want to take on if hired?

This is also a question to confirm the enthusiasm of the candidate. Be careful not talk only about what you want to do, but also about how you can contribute to the company by taking on challenges.

By describing why you want to take on certain challenges, what actions you will take and how you will go about the job to achieve the best results, you can demonstrate your logical thinking abilities.

Please tell us about your career plan.

The key point is whether you have formulated a medium to long-term plan based on what you want to take on. Employers hope that the employees will work for a long time after joining the company, so they are checking how the applicants envision their future after joining the company and whether the plan is feasible at their company. Same as with the motivation and reasons for changing jobs, candidaes who respond while keeping the company’s ideals and growth speed in mind might have a higher chance at being hired.

Let’s talk about your career plan in 5 and 10 year intervals and also talk about what you will do after it is accomplished.

Are there any other companies you have applied for?

There in no problem with an honest answers, but be careful in case the industry or job type that you are applying for is too different or inconsistent with the one you are being interviewed for. It is better to keep the answers a bit ambiguous, such as the number of companies you are applying for (e.g., about 2 or 3 companies) or that the results have not yet been announced.

If you apply to more than one company, be aware of the relationship with the company you interview with.

Will you join us if you get a job offer?
(Is our company your first choice?)

This is a question that encourages employees to join the company. If you want to be first, you should tell you that, but if you don’t want to be first, you don’t have to lie. However, please give a positive answer.

This is a question that encourages employees to join the company. If the company is your first choice, you should definitely say so, but in case it is not, there is no need to lie. However, it is good to give a positive answer.

What is the desired annual income?

This is important question to see if you and the employers criteria match in regards to compensation. If your desired annual salary is much higher than that of the current employees, it may be difficult to hire even the most talented personnel.

Answer the numbers that are convincing whether you are objectively looking at your own values based on your current income or understand the market quotations!

When can you join the company?

Make a desired schedule at the time you begin your career change. If you are working, you should consult with the employee based on the specific period required for the transfer, and if you are unemployment, you should say that you are able to do so at any time, unless there are special circumstances. Employees who are working are generally hired within one to two months after being receiving a job offer.

To the extent possible, it is important to show an attitude to ensure that employees are able to join the company as soon as possible.

Do you have any questions?

At the end of the interview, this question is frequently asked. If you answered “Not in particular” it may be seen as you are not so prepared or interested. Be careful not to ask any questions that might leave a negative impression, such as questions that could be answered by having a look at the official page or about overtime hours.

Ask ambitious questions about your work and your employees!

Can you work under pressure?

Give a positive answers to the question “Yes” and then answer with specific examples of “Why do you feel you can handle pressure?” and “Under what circumstances are you strong under pressure?”

Logical explanations based on actual experiences make a strong impression.

Are you satisfied with your career?

Avoid negative expressions that deny past experiences by responding “Yes” with a self-affirmative feeling.

Explain your possibilities by saying, “I’m satisfied, but I want to grow even more in the thousands of parts!”

What do you feel dissatisfied with your current position?

You need to be careful when answering this question. Make sure that the dissatisfaction you have with your current position does not occur at the company you are applying for. It is good to give facts from a bird’s-eye perspective, such as the size of the current company and the length of decision-making by the company.

Be sure to turn negatives into positives, such as how to deal with them and how to think about them!

What do colleagues and others say about you?

Its good to prepare several examples.

Prepare examples that convey your attitude.

Why should we hire you?

Answer how your values and skills match the company’s requirements.

Argue how you can leverage your strengths and how you can contribute to the company.

The post Examples of Interview questions and responses appeared first on Expat Career Guide.

(1) Writing Points

Point 1: Unify fonts (Times New Roman or Arial)

There are two main types of fonts used in business documents. For Japanese we have Gothic and Mincho and for English there are Serif and Sans Serif fonts. For Sans Serif, Arial would be the go-to font. As for Serif fonts, it is better to avoid Century and go with the classic Times New Roman. *””Serifs”” are the small details on the ends of strokes in some fonts.

Point 2: Show your enthusiasm

A CV does not include your motivations for applying for a particular position. Briefly describe your experience and emphasize how this experience makes you a perfect candidate for the position that you are appplying for. In addition, by using the English letter format correctly, you can show off your business English skills and also present your enthusiasm to work for this particular company.

(2) Basic writing

The cover letter generally consists of three parts. First, the reason why you are writing this letter. This is where you describe the circumstances that led to your application. The next part is where you showcase your experience and let the reader know why you are a great fit for the position that you are applying for. Finally, you should write about your goals if you were to joing the company, encourage the reader to want to get to know you more and request the chance for an interview.

① Paragraph 1: Background to the application

• ・Describe the position for which you are applying.
• ・Show that you know what this position consists of.
• ・Explain why you are interested in the position.

② Paragraph 2: Experience Summary, Appeal for the position

• ・Describe why you are a great candidate for the position. (Why the company should hire you and what you could bring to the company)
• ・Specify the skills that you possess and that the employer seeks. For example, if the one of the requirements is “”CAD skills””, write about how you are skilled an expereinced in this area.

③ Paragraph 3: Request for an Interview

• ・Write the time period in which you are available for further discussions.
• ・Mention the preferred method of communication (telephone number, e-mail address, etc.).
• ・Don’t forget to thank the reader for their time and consideration.

(3) Cover Letter Collection

This is a collection of phrases and sentences commonly used in cover letters.
We have summarized sample texts that might help you show your enthusiasm and experience which make you a great candidate for the position that you are applying for. Please feel free to refer to them when writing a cover letter.

Paragraph 1

Dear ○○company,
As a seasoned ○○ engineer, I am very interested in submitting an application for the advertised position.

Paragraph 2

Example 1
The position described is exactly the opportunity I am looking for. I believe my seven years’ experience as a sales manager, coupled with my drive and enthusiasm, would enable me to make a significant contribution to your organization.

Example 2
With a broad range of web development experience with Java and C# working with the latest trends of different fields with my ability to work with fellow engineers, I am confident that my skills will be a huge benefit to your company.

Example 3
I am a highly ambitious bilingual digital marketer with over 5 plus years of experience in Advertisement industry with wide domain of FCMG and cosmetics. With regard to my ability, I believe I may meet the requirements of this job.

Paragraph 3

Example 1
I will be in Tokyo from next month with a working holiday VISA and available on weekdays for the interview. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Example 2
I am interested in working with you and am looking forward to hearing from you soon

(4) In case you need a Japanese cover letter

While writing a Japanese cover letter is not common, the rise of Japanese job boards has made it an increasingly important aspect of job-hunting.
Rather than giving you a general idea of what a typical cover letter should contain, this article will specify some key information that you should include and some typical phrases to use when writing a cover letter in Japanese.
Finally, no matter how fluent in Japanese you consider yourself to be, it’s always a good idea to have your cover letter checked by a native speaker, just to be on the safe side.

The basic structure is usually the same as in an English Cover letter, so please refer to (2) Basic writing.

Paragraph 1

It is then common to give the name of the position you are applying to and express your interest. Phrases along the following lines are pretty common.

Example
Dear Hiring Manager　：　“採用ご担当様”
Followed by your name:　“○○と申します。”

I applied having seen a job advertisement for your company：
貴社の求人概要を拝見し、応募させていただきました。
I’d really appreciate being given the chance to speak to you further about this.：
ぜひ一度、お話をお伺いする機会をいただければ幸いです。

Paragraph 2

The next section should focus on the reason for leaving your current job. As with any other cover letter, try to show a positive reason for leaving as opposed to a negative one (e.g. wanting more responsibility as opposed to sour relationships with previous team members). Also, state your reason for wanting to join the company you are applying to. Try to match your skills with the skills required by the company in the job posting, as well as expressing agreement with the direction the company is heading.

Example
I would like to make the most of my experience in….., and take charge of larger-scale projects.：
現在の○○の経験を活かし、さらに規模の大きなプロジェクトを担当したいと考えたため、本ポジションを希望しております。

Having seen the achievements of your company, I thought that I would be able to take up a position in the field of ○○ which utilises my ○○ skills.：
貴社の○○の実績を拝見し、○○の分野にて今までの○○のスキルを活かした仕事が可能だと考えました。また、○○という社風にも大変魅力を感じております。

Paragraph 3

Finally, you should sign-off your cover letter politely. Here is a phrase commonly used in Japanese.

Example
Sorry to bother you when you are busy and thank you for your consideration.：
お忙しいなか恐縮ですが、どうぞ宜しくお願い致します。

(5) Download a sample

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