Job-Seeking Course Part 5: What to Take / Entry Sheet / Resume / Interview

What to Take With You: Essential Items

Smart Phone

Be sure that you confirm the route to the briefing session or interview venue so as not to get lost or confused when transferring at stations, etc. However, once you get to the venue. make sure to switch your phone off.

Initial Application Form

Not necessary if you have already submitted it in advance, but in some cases you will be required to submit it at the venue. Don’t forget to bring a copy with you.

Resume (with spare photographs)

Take spare copies with you, so you are able to submit it whenever you are asked to.

Notebook

A notebook is an absolute must for briefing sessions. Some companies will not allow you to use a laptop or smart phone to take notes.

Pen/Pencil

Choose something simple and functional, avoiding anything decorated e.g. with popular characters.

Personal Seal (inkan)

Some companies will provide attendees with compensation for transportation expenses to the briefing session venue. You will need your seal to validate the receipt.

Handkerchief / Tissues

A must-carry item. Try to always have some with you as basic social etiquette.

‘I’m so glad I brought it with me!’ and other useful Items list

Pocket Shoe Shine Wipes

No matter how well you might polish them in the morning at home, shoes are bound to get dirty just by walking around town. These will enable you to get them looking great again at any time.

Folding Umbrella

Check the weather forecast in the morning! Try to avoid arriving at the venue wet.

Stockings

If you wear stockings, be sure to carry an extra pair.

Spare Phone Battery

As the screening process progresses, make sure that the company can always contact you when necessary. However, you must make sure to switch your phone off during interviews and briefings.

Hair Styling Product

You will be moving around all day and this can cause your hair to become unkempt; it can be useful to have a travel-size amount of product with you at all times.

Entry Sheet (Initial Application Form)

The ‘entry sheet’, or initial application form, is a document that forms the first point of contact between you and the company. Once submitted to a company, this form performs the following roles at the following three stages.

(1) Reference material for initial selection

Used at the first stage of selection.

(2) Reference material for interview

Used by interviewers to tailor interview questions specific to you.

(3) Reference material for placement

Where there is space to note your job preferences, the information you give will be noted when considering where you are to be placed within the company.

How Entry Sheets can be Obtained – Examples

Downloadable from the company website
Completed online (submitted online after completion)
Sent to you by post after submitting an online or mail request
Handed out at company briefings
Obtained directly from staff at the company office

*The method for obtaining an entry sheet will differ by company; make sure to check how to obtain an entry sheet either at the briefing or enquire with the company staff.

Entry Sheet Sample

Resume

Make sure to take note of the following points when writing your resume.

・You can use a computer to create your CV digitally, but if you are writing by hand, be sure to be as neat as possible.
(Rather than worry about whether your handwriting is good or poor, what is important is to write with feeling!)
・Do not use correction fluid.
・Complete using a black or blue ballpoint pen.

Sample Resume

Professional History Sample (Shokumukeirekisho)

About the Interview

What are the Interviewers looking for?

(1) First impressions
You will be assessed on such aspects as your facial expressions, how you present yourself, your posture, your attitude, your voice, your use of language. All companies will be looking to recruit someone who has a pleasant and positive attitude.

(2) Motivation to join company
What is crucial here is that you can explain your desire to join the company based on research that you have done in advance about the company. It is vital that you are specific in your response.

(3) Suitability
Interviewers will be looking to see if you suited to working at their company. However motivated you might be, it will be difficult for you to work in a company for which you are not qualified.

(4) Communication skills
The question and answer process will enable the interviewers to judge your ability to listen carefully, to keep the conversation going smoothly, and to be reasonable. In other words, the interview is also an exercise in examining your basic social adequacy.

(5) Character / Personality
Your innate character and personality is what will be remembered by the interviewers. In interview settings, there is no need to try and forcibly supress your true self and feign the part of a model employee.

Examples of Questions to Expect

・What were your reasons for coming to Japan?
・Why do you wish to join a Japanese company?
・Would you want to be transferred to an overseas company?
・Can you tell us your vision for your future career?
・Can you tell us for how long you would want to work in Japan?
・Can you tell us about the extent of your ability to adapt to Japanese language and Japanese culture?

Questions (and Answers) to Anticipate

Question: Please introduce yourself.

・I am XX from [country]. In my previous positive I taught English at an elementary school. I love Japan, so I would like to work in Japan.

・I am XX, I am a Coordinator for International Relations at the International Section in [town]. I am getting married to a Japanese national, so I have no option but to remain in Japan and work . I hope you will consider me.

・Of course. My name is XX and I work at the Board of Education of [city]. Since a young age I have had an interest in Japan’s technological strength, which led me to study physics and Japanese language at university. Two years ago I came to Japan, because I wanted to further improve my Japanese language skills and gain employment with a Japanese manufacturing company. At present, I work as an Assistant Language Teacher at elementary schools in XX city. As part of the teaching team, I work to support the other team members, who support me in turn. My motto is to always push forward with my work, while seeking to enhance my skills. In my current role, I took the initiative to develop a training programme designed to improve teaching skills in foreign language education at elementary schools. Through this programme, I teach newly qualified Japanese teachers of foreign languages about practical English and tips and tricks focused on making English class fun. As a result, team teaching with Japanese teaching staff has become much smoother. Within your company, I would hope to make use of my knowledge and experiences in ways which would benefit my colleagues, while also working on improving my own skills. Thank you.

・My name is XX and I work in the International Section of XX town. I have been interested in Japanese culture, particularly traditional Japanese design, since I was in high school, and at university I chose to study fine art, design, and Japanese language. After graduating, I came to Japan on the JET Programme and have been working as a Coordinator for International Relations in a local government for approximately two years. Despite already having graduated from university, I still believe that it is important to always seek to learn new things; I like to work hard on my own self-improvement. As a Coordinator for International Relations, I am responsible for the planning and implementation of events focused on intercultural understanding. I try to make good use my design skills in my duties to create posters which catch the eye and capture the hearts of viewers. As an example, I revised the design of the poster for our annual international relations event, then posted it strategically across various locations in the town in order to encourage greater participation. As a result, the number of participants was three times greater than the previous year. In your company, I would like to make use of both my design skills and my intercultural communication skills to promote your products across the globe.

Question: Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses.

・My strengths are positivity and dynamism. I am often praised for being proactive and being quick to take action.

・My weaknesses are that I can have a quick temper. I do try to listen to what the other person has to say, but I can sometimes get angry.

・Of course. I think one of my strengths is that I am proactive, by which I mean I try to think carefully about the needs of those around me, such as the community or the organisation, and try to come up with various projects. At school, this would include my work on English education training, of course, but also the support I provided to new Assistant Language Teachers. Until now, there was no information available in English on everyday life in the local area, so I worked with other Assistant Language Teachers in XX city and local people with English language skills to create a community magazine providing information in English on life in XX city. For example, information about clinics, restaurants, shops, and other important facilities was put into the magazine, and it was then distributed to new Assistant Language Teachers.
In terms of weaknesses, I think I can be very fussy once I have committed to something. Previously, when my superiors have did not listen to or turned down one of my ideas, I have been quite forthright in demanding to know why. However, that attitude did not facilitate better communication, so now I try to listen calmly to my senior colleagues, to discuss their opinions and the areas I need to improve, and to develop more suitable ideas in response.

Question: What made you apply for this position?

・Because I want to make use of my strengths, namely my English and Japanese skills.

・As I mentioned earlier, since a young age I have been interested in the technological strength demonstrated by manufacturers such as your company. I have worked hard to develop skills in Japanese and English, as well as deepen my knowledge of physics, so that I might be able to work for a company such as yours not just in Japan but also overseas as well. More than anything, however, I was very struck by your company slogan – ‘With society, for society’ – since it has such a strong focus on making a contribution to the community. This is my main reason for wanting to join your company.

・As I mentioned earlier, I have long held an interest in products featuring elements of traditional Japanese design, such as those made by your company. For this reason, I worked to improve my Japanese and English language proficiency as well as knowledge of design. Having said that, I was most struck by your company’s focus on intercultural understanding, as embodied in your slogan of ‘the power to touch hearts across the world’. I would very much like to be involved in creating designs which reach people all over the world, while also continuing the traditions of Japan; this is why I applied to your company.

Question: Tell us about your career plans for the future.

・I intend to work in Japan for three years then return to my own country where I would like to set up my own company.

・Of course. First, if I were able to work for your company, I would want to spend the first year developing a strong understanding of your portfolio of products, and work on building the ability to communicate the merits of these products in a compelling way both in English and Japanese. After five years, I would hope to have developed a comprehensive understanding of your overseas business. If I were able to build up the know-how required to be a public relations manager, as well as management skills, then I would hope to be able to promote your products in my home country. Specifically, I would want to work towards developing something similar to your overseas operations in Taiwan in my home country.

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