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Ace Your Japanese Job Interview: From ‘自己紹介’ to Salary Talks

Career Builders

Ace Your Japanese Job Interview: From ‘自己紹介’ to Salary Talks

Crafting the Perfect ‘Jisho Shoukai’ (Self-Introduction)

The self - introduction, or "自己紹介" (jisho shoukai), is the first impression you make in a Japanese job interview. It should be well - structured, highlighting your key skills, experiences, and motivations. A typical structure includes:

Step 1: Name and Basic Information

Start with a polite greeting, such as "はじめまして。私はリサです" (Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Risa desu - Nice to meet you. My name is Lisa). Then, briefly mention your educational background, for example, "東京大学で経営学を勉強しました" (Tōkyō Daigaku de keiei-gaku o benkyō shimashita - I studied business administration at the University of Tokyo).

Step 2: Work Experience

Detail your relevant work experience, focusing on achievements. For instance, "ABC 会社で 3 年間、マーケティング担当として勤めており、新製品のキャンペーンを成功させました" (ABC kaisha de 3-nenkan, māketing tantō to shite tsumeteyori, shin seihin no kyanpēn o seikō sasemásu - I worked at ABC Company for three years as a marketing specialist and successfully launched a new product campaign).

Step 3: Skills and Qualifications

Highlight your language skills, technical abilities, and any relevant certifications. "日本語はビジネスレベルで話せますし、英語でも流暢にコミュニケーションができます" (Nihongo wa bijinesu reberu de hanasemasu shi, Eigo demo ryūchō ni komyunikēshon ga dekimasu - I can speak Japanese at a business level and also communicate fluently in English).

Step 4: Motivation and Fit

Explain why you are interested in the company and the position. "貴社の SDGs への取り組みに共感しており、私のスキルを活かして貢献したいと思います" (Anata-sha no SDGs e no torikumi ni kyōkan shiteorimasu, watashi no sukiru o ikashite kōken shitai to omoimasu - I resonate with your company’s commitment to SDGs and want to contribute by utilizing my skills).

Crafting the Perfect ‘Jisho Shoukai’ (Self-Introduction)

The self - introduction, or "自己紹介" (jisho shoukai), is the first impression you make in a Japanese job interview. It should be well - structured, highlighting your key skills, experiences, and motivations. A typical structure includes:

Step 1: Name and Basic Information

Start with a polite greeting, such as "はじめまして。私はリサです" (Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Risa desu - Nice to meet you. My name is Lisa). Then, briefly mention your educational background, for example, "東京大学で経営学を勉強しました" (Tōkyō Daigaku de keiei-gaku o benkyō shimashita - I studied business administration at the University of Tokyo).

Step 2: Work Experience

Detail your relevant work experience, focusing on achievements. For instance, "ABC 会社で 3 年間、マーケティング担当として勤めており、新製品のキャンペーンを成功させました" (ABC kaisha de 3-nenkan, māketing tantō to shite tsumeteyori, shin seihin no kyanpēn o seikō sasemásu - I worked at ABC Company for three years as a marketing specialist and successfully launched a new product campaign).

Step 3: Skills and Qualifications

Highlight your language skills, technical abilities, and any relevant certifications. "日本語はビジネスレベルで話せますし、英語でも流暢にコミュニケーションができます" (Nihongo wa bijinesu reberu de hanasemasu shi, Eigo demo ryūchō ni komyunikēshon ga dekimasu - I can speak Japanese at a business level and also communicate fluently in English).

Step 4: Motivation and Fit

Explain why you are interested in the company and the position. "貴社の SDGs への取り組みに共感しており、私のスキルを活かして貢献したいと思います" (Anata-sha no SDGs e no torikumi ni kyōkan shiteorimasu, watashi no sukiru o ikashite kōken shitai to omoimasu - I resonate with your company’s commitment to SDGs and want to contribute by utilizing my skills).

Answering Tough Questions: ‘Why This Company?’

The question "なぜ当社を選びましたか？" (Naze tōsha o erimashita ka? - Why did you choose our company?) is commonly asked in Japanese job interviews. To answer effectively, research the company thoroughly beforehand. Mention specific aspects such as the company’s mission, products, or recent achievements. For example, "貴社の革新的なテクノロジーに魅了され、私のプログラミングスキルを活かして新しいソリューションを作り出したいと思います" (Anata-sha no kakushinteki na tekunorojī ni miwakarerare, watashi no puroguramingu sukiru o ikashite atarashī soryūshon o tsukuridaseitai to omoimasu - I’m attracted by your company’s innovative technology and want to create new solutions using my programming skills).

Another challenging question is "あなたの長所と短所は何ですか？" (Anata no chōsho to tansho wa nan desu ka? - What are your strengths and weaknesses?). When discussing strengths, tie them to the job requirements, such as "私はチームワークが得意で、いつも目標を達成するために協力します" (Watashi wa chīmuwaaku ga tokui de, itsumo mokuhyō o tassei suru tame ni kyōryoku shimasu - I’m good at teamwork and always collaborate to achieve goals). When addressing weaknesses, show self - awareness and a willingness to improve, for example, "ストレスの多い状況では少し慌てがちですが、最近はタスク管理の方法を学んで改善しています" (Sutoresu no ōi jōkyō de wa sukoshi abatagachi desuga, saikin wa tasuku kanri no hōhō o mannde kaizen shite imasu - I tend to get a bit flustered in high - stress situations, but I’ve been learning task management techniques to improve).

Negotiating Salary: Polite Yet Clear

Salary negotiation can be a delicate topic in a Japanese job interview. It’s important to approach it with respect while also clearly expressing your expectations. Start by thanking the interviewer for the offer, "このオファーをいただき、誠にありがとうございます" (Kono ofā o itadaki, makoto ni arigatō gozaimasu - Thank you very much for this offer).

Then, state your current salary and explain your reasoning for the desired amount. "現在の年収は 500 万円です。貴社のポジションの責任範囲を考えると、600 万円程度が妥当だと思います" (Genzai no nenshū wa 5,000,000 en desu. Anata-sha no pojishon no sekinin han’i o kangae ru to, 6,000,000 en teido ga tadō da to omoimasu - My current annual salary is 5 million yen. Considering the responsibilities of this position in your company, I think around 6 million yen would be appropriate).

If the company has a fixed salary structure, they may explain it to you. In this case, you can respond with understanding and flexibility, such as "了解です。この待遇に納得いたします" (Ryōkai desu. Kono taiyaku ni nattei itashimasu - I understand. I’m satisfied with this compensation).

Key Takeaways

  • A well-structured self-introduction in a job interview should cover name, experience, skills, and motivation.

  • Answering questions like “Why this company?” requires thorough research and a clear connection between your skills and the company’s values.

  • Salary negotiation in Japanese job interviews should be polite, with a clear explanation of your expectations and a willingness to be flexible.