I’m going in for my first job interview in Japanese next week and I’m really scared lol. How was everyone else’s first experience with being interviewed for a job out here? Was the employer nice and try to speak as clear as possible or did they blast you with native talk?
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My first (and currently last, because I was hired lol) interview in Japanese was pretty scary to me too because it involved the whole “wear a suit, enter in a room alone with 3 to 5 people staring at you, do the whole 失礼します thing etc.”
To prepare myself for that I got a list of common questions they ask at interviews and memorized the answers with the help of my language school. I had to memorize most of it because my Japanese was (and is) not the best, I couldn’t really improvise much. As for manners, I went to a seminar in one of those job hunting agencies for foreigners where they explained how the suit looks like and we practiced the greetings and stuff.
In the end, although serious, the interview was pretty chill and all the examiners where kind and especially laid back when it came to my Japanese proficiency (my job requires it, but they were more focused on the other languages I can speak). My advice would be prepare some questions for the interviewers and prepare some standard answers for yourself too, also for unexpected questions like “What is your dream?” (My dumbass replied “owning a cat” and they laughed, but I guess they liked it lol).
Oh also for the suit, don’t go spend thousands of yen in a 面接スーツ. Borrow it from a friend or make it yourself at Uniqlo, it’s way cheaper.
I had my first interview when my Japanese was absolutely sucked lol. They needed to speak very slowly and articulated very clearly, yet I still had to ask them to repeat multiple times. They was understanding and tried to accommodate me, but I did not get that position.
It depends on their expectation.
* If they expect nothing and require nothing then they are just seeing how much you do know and how you cope.
* If they have been lead to believe that you are functional in Japanese then they will be interviewing you in the same way as any other Japanese person will expect you to answer correctly.
* If they expect you to represent the company in Japanese to customers then they will expecting your keigo to be up to scratch as well.
Pro tip. Say as little as possible and let them do all the talking.
I’ve had several interviews in Japanese, and even been on the hiring side myself a couple times. Even the day long sagas that include exams, role plays and hours of presentations. I’ve found Japanese interviews are just like any other interview in both good and bad ways. Just a bit more formal XD
It all depends on the business, the hiring staff and the job. Regardless, you got this.
If it’s not too strict and the people are nice, they will probably change their lexicon to make it easier to understand. Don’t hesitate to ask them to repeat a question, explain it or speak slowly. You’re not a Japanese native and they know that. No shame in it at all. 🙂
– Relax, speak slowly, and read the room (くうきを読む）
– Smiling is great in any language
– Your skills should speak for themselves. If you’re right for the job / company, then they’ll want you just as much as you want them
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You got this – good luck 😀
I once had to take a final interview in Japanese which was supposed to be optional. The company was in Tokyo dealing with semiconductors. I was told that it was just to see how well I could communicate in Japanese despite me telling them that I barely spoke any. The entire interview was me putting Japanese words into English sentences. I got rejected obviously. But that was my fault. All the best.
My interviews were all almost online so I wrote down answers for expected questions (jikoshoukai, prev work experience, shibou douki and all the things)
Also have several mock interviews with recruiters
My first in a Japanese company took 4 hours. My Japanese was really bad but they took time even to call some one who could speak a little Spanish. They were extremely nice and call me next day to check how I feel (I was super nervous).
After that interview I got more 3 following interviews in the same Company and got hired as engineer. The place was DeNA, they had also a welcome board in Spanish for me even though all the branch there were Japanese only . Awesome place.
I quit after 2 years did all again in another big company, quit again in 2 years and more bigger. Got pretty used now 😂.
It was 4 people (3 engineer and later 1 HR).
I didn’t prepare at all, just took my laptop at me current workplace and went to interview. I felt I would get more nervous if I prepare . I tried to make it as mundane as possible. Go in go out.. but was 4 hours …
It sounds obvious but keep in mind that they are not interviewing you because they want a Japanese person who has been drilled to death in Japanese etiquette. Be punctual, presentable, polite, friendly, and talk to your strengths. If you don’t know it, forget about trying to learn all the Japanese-isms for the interview (bow at a certain angle, blah blah blah) – just be polite, that is enough.
Don’t try and use *keigo* that you are not comfortable with. Stick to what you know. If you don’t understand something ask them. If they blast you deliberately with Japanese you don’t understand then try not to get flustered. They may well be trying to gauge your Japanese level and it is not something you can control.
They want to interview you because of what they saw on your resume and/or your potential. Try and keep the conversation to what you have done, can do and how that helps them.
I interviewed for a few jobs recently. All in Japanese, random stuff like hotel staff, phones sales, guitar teacher, and so on. Partially was doing it because I needed part time work and partially because the experience was so fun.
I was eventually hired by two different places but what I did for most of the interviews was just answer the questions. I physically can’t not tell a funny story or make a joke though; this might be inappropriate during most interviews. 😅