Japanese culture is very different from Vietnamese culture, therefore, the job interview process has more requirements. Therefore, if you are planning an interview for a job in Japan, don’t miss the useful experience below.
Many people planning to work in Japan are confused because they have never spoken to or worked with Japanese people. So how can you make your job interview in Japan go as smoothly as possible? Is the Japanese interview process different from the Vietnamese one? And how can you impress Japanese recruiters? Below are the most detailed tips from Nhat Huy Khang on how to ace a job interview in Japan.
The Japanese interview process differs slightly from Vietnam.
1. What should you do when interviewing for a job in Japan?
Typically, the sequence of a job interview in Japan is as follows: the candidate enters the interview room, introduces themselves, the employer asks questions to the candidate, and the candidate asks questions to the employer.
1.1 Things to do when entering the interview room
To make a good impression on the employer, candidates interviewing for jobs in Japan should pay attention to their demeanor as soon as they enter the interview room.
According to Japanese culture, before entering the interview room, candidates must knock twice. This is the minimum courtesy, showing respect to the employer. Although in Vietnam there is also a rule of knocking before entering a room, there is no specific rule on how many times to knock.
Only when the employer says “Yes, please come in” (はい、どうぞ: hai, douzo), can the candidate open the door. At this point, you should respond with “Excuse me” (しつれいします: shitsureshimasu).
After entering the interview room, the candidate should gently close the door and introduce themselves with “My name is Nguyen Van A. I look forward to your assistance” (わたしは Nguyen Van A です。どうぞ、よろしくおねがいします: watashi wa Nguyen Van A desu. Douzo, yoroshiku onegaishimasu).
When the interviewer invites you to sit, you should say “Excuse me” (しつれいします: shitsureshimasu) before sitting down.
Candidates should pay attention to their demeanor as soon as they knock on the door and enter the interview room.
1.2 Some ways to introduce yourself
When interviewing for a job in Japan, a self-introduction in Japanese will include your name, age, hometown, place of origin, and educational background. Note that before introducing yourself, you should say “It’s a pleasure to meet you” (はじめまして : Hajimemashite).
How to introduce your name:
My name is Nguyen Van A (私は Nguyen Van A です : Watashi wa Nguyen Van A desu).
How to introduce your age:
Currently, I am 22 years old (年齢は21歳です/22歳です : Nenrei wa 22 sai desu). Ways to introduce your place of residence/hometown:
I am from Hanoi (ハノイからきました : Hanoi kara kimashita)
I am currently living in Hanoi (ハノイに住んでいます : Hanoi ni sundeimasu)
How to introduce your educational background:
I am a student at Foreign Trade University (貿易大学の学生で : boekidaigaku no gakusei desu).
I am studying at Foreign Trade University (貿易大学で勉強しています : boekidaigaku de benkyoushiteimasu). I graduated from the University of Foreign Trade (貿易大学を卒業しました : boekidaigaku wo sotsugyoushimashita).
How to introduce your profession:
I am an engineer (私はエンジニアです : Watashi wa enjinia desu).
When introducing yourself to an employer, you should state your name, age, place of residence, education, and profession.
- 1.3 Notes when interviewing for work in Japan
After introducing yourself, the employer will ask a few questions to gather more information. Therefore, if you want to make a good impression and avoid losing points with employers during an interview for work in Japan, candidates should note the following points:
Employers will appreciate candidates who introduce themselves in Japanese loudly, clearly, and confidently. In addition, always present yourself as a cheerful, sociable person with a positive attitude. - During a job interview in Japan, candidates should remain calm, confident, and look directly at the interviewer while answering. At the same time, maintain a proper demeanor, pay close attention to the questions, and answer fluently.
Recruiters appreciate concise and focused answers. Therefore, candidates should avoid rambling to prevent tiring the interviewer and losing points. - Candidates must answer exactly as stated in their CV (if any). This detail demonstrates honesty. Conversely, if your answers differ from what is written in your CV, the recruiter will assume you are lying, which will affect your chances of passing the interview.
- The Japanese place great importance on etiquette and attention to posture. Therefore, during the interview, sit up straight, properly, and avoid being flippant or unserious.
Candidates must sit properly and maintain a serious demeanor during the interview.
2. Frequently Asked Questions During Job Interviews in Japan
During a job interview in Japan, in addition to introducing yourself, you will have to answer several questions from the employer. Here are some of the most common questions you should know to answer fluently and confidently.
2.1. What is your current job?
(現在の仕事は何ですか ?: Genzai noshigoto ha nandesuka)
For this question, answer with your current job. If you are unemployed, you can say you are helping your family with farming. Specifically:
Answer 1: I am working at a welding shop near my home (家の近くに溶接の工場で働いています : Ie no chikaku ni yosetsu no kojo de hataraiteimasu).
Answer 2: I am helping my parents with farming (両親の農業に手伝っています: Ryoshin no nogyo ni tetsudatteimasu).
2.2. Does your current job involve overtime?
(残業が有りますか: Zangyō ga arimasu ka)
Answer: I work about 1-2 hours of overtime each day (１日に１時間、２時間ぐらい残業があります: Ichinichi ni 1jikan, 2jikanngurai zangyo ga arimasu).
2.3. What is your monthly salary?
(一ヶ月の給料はいくら貰いますか？/ikkagetsu no kyuryo ha ikura moraimasuka)
Answer: I receive approximately 3 million yen per month (一ヶ月に１万５千円ぐらい貰います : Ikkagetsu ni ichiman gosenen gurai moraimasu).
2.4. What is your purpose for coming to Japan?
(日本に行く目的は何ですか?: Nihon ni iku mokuteku wa nan desuka?)
This is one of the most common questions asked during job interviews for Japan. The Japanese highly value diligent and eager learners. Therefore, you should answer as follows:
My purpose in going to Japan is to earn money, learn how to work, and learn Japanese (私の日本に行く目的はお金を稼ぐ事とともに日本人の働き方と日本語を学びたいです:nWatashi no nihon ni ikumokuteki ha okane wo kasegukoto totomoni nihonjin no hatarakikata to nihongo wo manabitai desu).
Please state your goal for going to Japan frankly.
2.5. What do you know about Japan?
(日本のことについて、何を知っていますか？/Nihon no koto ni tsuite nani ga shitteimasuka)
How to answer: Through TV and books, I learned that Japan is a beautiful country famous for cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji… (新聞とテレビを通じて桜と富士山がとても有名な国だと知りました: Shinbun to terebi wo tsujite sakura to hujisan ga totemo yumeinakuni dato shirimashita)
2.6. Do you have any relatives or friends currently living in Japan?
(日本に友達とか、親戚がいますか？: nihon ni tomodachi toka shinseki ga imasuka)
For this question, you should clearly state your relationship with that person, their current place of residence and occupation, and their location in Japan.
Answer 1: I don’t have any. (いいえ、いないです: Iie, inai desu)
Answer 2: I have a cousin who is currently a trainee, working as a welder in Shiga Prefecture (従兄弟がいます。実習生として滋賀県で溶接仕事をしています : Itoko ga imasu. Jisshusei toshite shigaken de yosetsu shigoto wo shiteimasu).
2.7. What will you do with the money you save after 3 years of working in Japan when you return to Vietnam? (３年間日本で貯めたお金で帰国してから何をしたいですか: Sannenkan nihonnde tametaokane de kikokushitekara nani wo shitai desuka)
How to answer: I will give part of the money to my family, the remaining money to build a mechanical processing workshop Ichibu, kazoku ni agetai desu. Nokori no okane ha kikaikakoukoujou wo tsukuritai desu).
2.8. Would you accept going to Japan for 3 years without being able to visit your family?
(もし、日本へ行ったらずっと三年間ベトナムへ帰れないですが大丈夫ですか: Moshi nihon he ittara zutto sannenkan betonamu he kaerenai desuga daijobu desuka).
Answer: I accept. I can video call every day, so it’s not a problem. (Hai, daijobu desu. Mainichi, bideodenwa wo miraremasu node daijobu desu).
Workers can make regular video calls to their families.
The above is a guaranteed 100% success rate for job interviews in Japan. Hopefully, through this sharing from Nhat Huy Khang, you understand the interview process for job applications in Japan and learn more useful Japanese phrases to answer more fluently.
