What an interviewer looks for during a job interview: tips for overseas candidates

photo by patch.com

If you wish to work in Japan, you more than likely have to quest for a job unless you have found one before your arrival in Japan. As every country has different manners and etiquettes, there are certain manners and customs for job hunting unique to Japan. This column will explore some of tips that overseas candidates should remember before a job interview.

The basic manners of job interview in Japan

As you can imagine from the punctuality of public transports or a mailing system of Japan, being on time is highly appreciated in Japan. Of course, arriving late for an interview is one of the things you should never do to get job. Once you arrange an appointment for an interview with a company, double check the appointment schedule and the address of the company, then research the transportation and time required to get there. Ideally, you should plan your travel to the site to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled interview. Just kill some time by exploring around the place or revising your CV until you let them know of your arrival at the reception 10 minutes before the interview. Don’t disturb your interviewer by arriving too early. At the beginning of the interview, make sure to greet the interviewer and introduce yourself as clear as possible. Take a seat after you are told so, straighten your back and face straight to the interviewer. Try to relax, use your own words to tell them you are enthusiastic, and sincerely answer their questions. Being polite throughout the interview is very important.

Dress appropriately

Outfit

Lately, more people tend to wear casual outfits in their workplaces in Japan, however, the standard job interviewing attire is still a two-piece business suit. The clean appearance in a dark colored business suit is only a beginning. Choose a white shirt or blouse and keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum. Also, take your coat off before you enter a building during winter.

Hair style

It depends on types of job, but clean looking short hair is more preferred for men. Long haired ladies should keep their hair tidy so that the interviewer can see your face clearly.

Face

Men should shave the face. Ladies should avoid vivid colored lip sticks or eye shadows and try to look natural.

Hands

Especially if you are applying for a position related to food service, keep your finger nails tidy and clean. Ladies should avoid vivid colored nail polishes or artificial nails. Also, wear a wrist watch as taking your mobile phone out to check the time is inappropriate during an interview.

Frequently asked questions and tips to answer

Here are some sample questions overseas candidates are often asked in a job interview.

Self-introduction and you advantages

These are typical questions in a job interview. Prepare the details how you will contribute to the company. Try not to overly emphasize that you are from overseas. Talking about your qualifications and detailed episodes in your previous positions add more positive impression about you. Try not to talk too long on each episode, prepare and practice brief episodes beforehand.

Reason you wish to work for Japanese company

One thing interviewers definitely want to know when they hire overseas employees is whether the person can fit in a Japanese organization and settle in. Tell the interviewer why you choose Japan to work out of many other countries and what your future perspective is.

Reason you come to Japan

This probably is a common question not in a job interview but any occasions such as parties or a quick drink after work. Just answering you are interested in Japanese cultures would give only a vague idea about you. Your journey to Japan might have started from an anime series or Kurosawa movies you liked, but what the interviewer wants to know is things you achieved to bring yourself in Japan. A convincing perspective of your goal in Japan will bring you closer to a job offer.
Your Japanese conversation skills can be important, but the interviewer will lay more weight on your thought on certain things rather than grammatical accuracy of your Japanese. Try not to overly concern about a little errors in your Japanese. Concentrate on expressing your thought to the interviewer looking straight to them.

Handling business cards

You might be given an interviewer’s card with a brief greeting from them at the beginning of an interview. Are you aware of a unique manner to exchange cards in Japan? In overseas, people don’t pay much attentions to business cards and sometimes they are used to take notes. But note that Japanese people pay a great deal of attentions to their business cards. When you receive a card from someone, hold it in front of your chest and thank the person. Place the card aside on a table if you have one in front of you while you are talking. Carelessly slipping it into your pocket or wallet, or playing with it in your hands are considered as bad manners. There are a lot more little rules: not placing your fingers on letters printed on a card, or put multiple number of cards in order of people’s seats. But the bottom line is, you should treat someone’s business card as careful as you treat the person who gave it to you. Therefore you don’t have to be overly sensitive with cards. Just don’t forget to take it home with you.

Work style unique to Japan

Supported by the old Japanese employment style, a career-long employment and promotion seniority, Japan once made a great economic growth. Such a trend are gradually diminishing in these days, but there still is some sort of consensus that employees should be loyal to their company and the companies should take a responsibility for stable employment of them. Changing job is a common practice in Japan nowadays, but many Japanese companies still prefers employees who are willing to work for them for long. Therefore try not to tell them you are planning to seek better opportunities or return to your country after a few years with them, even though that is your true perspective. No need to tell a lie, but avoid mentioning your intention to work for just a few years. It is recommended that you tell them you intend to work for long with them.

Fingers crossed

Even in your own country where you have lived in for long time, having a job interview often makes you feel nervous, and even more so in foreign countries. One of major abilities companies requires from their new employees is adaptability. The fact that you live and work in Japan is the best proof of good adaptability of yours, as you would have returned to your country without thinking of working in Japan if you had had no adaptability. Be confident and present how contributive you can be for the company, then you will hear a good news from them.