Job hunting can be a frustrating experience. The cycle of looking for and applying for jobs can be long and intensive, so much so that it’s easy to forget certain things in the excitement of landing an interview. As with anything, preparation goes a long way and though the interview process in Japan is not so different to most other countries, preparation is especially valued.
In order for you to be completely ready for your next big interview, let’s take a look at a helpful checklist of things you can do to prepare for a job interview in Japan.
A Self Introduction
No real Japanese job interview is complete without a self-introduction. If your interview is entirely in English, there is a chance you won’t always be asked this but it is good to have something prepared regardless. If it is an interview in Japanese, it is one of the standard questions. This should be a very short summary about yourself, your career and your skills and experience. The key is to be very concise, keeping it to about one minute. It’s best to have one prepared so it’s not too long or too short.
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Research the Company
Whether through the company website or a quick Google search, it’s good to know as much about the company as possible ahead of the interview. It is also quite common to be asked what you already know about the company you’re applying for, so it makes a very good impression if you know some details and are able to talk about things that appeal to you about working there. It shows you are enthusiastic and have a genuine interest in working there.
Check the Job Details Again
Sometimes, there can be a bit of time between application and being asked for an interview. If you’re applying for a number of roles, it can become quite easy to forget some of the details of the job from the original listing. Where possible, it’s a good idea to check the original listing again and make sure of the exact experience and skills the company is looking for. This way, you can ensure that you can match up your own experiences and have the right answers in mind during the interview. Think about where your skills and experience match up with the job description and prepare how you will get this across in the interview. Make sure you can talk about these skills in relation to your resume.
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Prepare Answers to Common Questions
No matter what kind of interview you have, there are certain questions that are standard. As they are so commonly asked, it’s best to have answers prepared for these so you don’t trip up. A surprising number of people can fail just on these questions alone. Having something in mind for these will also save the potential awkwardness of you having to think of something on the spot. The most commonly asked questions are things like:
- Why did you leave your last job?
- Why are you interested in this position?
- What are your career goals?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
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Think of Concrete Examples
Most job interviews will involve questions about your previous experience. Usually, these will start with phrases like “Tell me about a time you…”. Often, they will be regarding achievements or difficult situations that you may have dealt with. With these kinds of questions, interviewers want specific examples. Of course, even though you don’t know what questions you’re going to be asked in an interview ahead of time, try to think of examples that you can use based on the kind of job you’re applying for. For example, you may want to think of a specific time you dealt with a challenge at work and how you worked to overcome that challenge.
Prepare Your Own Questions
There inevitably comes a point towards the end of an interview where the interviewer will ask if you have any questions for them. While not having any isn’t a major problem, asking questions will demonstrate your enthusiasm and general interest in the role. This is a good time to clarify anything that you’re not sure about so it’s an excellent idea to have some questions prepared. It also saves you the trouble of having to go back after the interview and ask questions later.
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General Pre-interview Preparation
There are lots of smaller things that need to be prepared for an interview and they’re the kind of things that can easily get lost among all the stress of the big things. These can be just as important. Definitely make sure of the following points:
The interview location: Obviously not relevant if you’re doing an online interview, but if it is an in-person interview, make sure that you know where the interview location is and plan how to get there in advance. Being late because of being unable to find the place is not usually accepted as an excuse. If it is an online interview, make sure that you have the interview ready and that any software that you may be using for it is up to date.
What to Wear: In Japan, formal is definitely the way to go for most interviews regardless of the job. Make sure you have suitable business attire ready for the day unless you’ve been instructed otherwise by the company.
Be On Time: This is important everywhere but punctuality is especially important in Japan. Make sure you arrive for the interview early with ten to fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled time being ideal. If it’s an online interview, it’s best to log in five to ten minutes before the interview start time.
Be Confident: Self-explanatory but an interview is all about making a good impression. Be calm and confident and also don’t forget to smile.
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The Importance of Preparation
The prospect of a job interview can be both exciting and nerve wracking. Being prepared can go a long way towards making sure an interview goes well. As long as you make sure you’ve checked all the boxes on the things that you need to have ready beforehand, you can feel confident and focus on making the best impression you can.
