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In Japan, you have a chance to ask questions to the interviewer at the end of the interview and make a final appeal.
This is called a Gyaku shitumon（reverse question）
It is no exaggeration to say that the Gyaku shitumon is an important question that can make or break an interview.
In this lesson, you will learn more about what kind of Gyaku shitumon to ask.
What is a Gyaku shitumon?
Gyaku shitumon can be used to ask for more information about the assumed position if hired and what type of company the client is.
Ask questions that you have researched on the Internet but could not find out, or questions that only someone who has actually worked at the company would know.
Asking multiple questions can also convey that you are motivated and eager to join the company.
By communicating that you are highly motivated, the interviewer is one step closer to hiring you, as the companies are more likely to believe that you will stay with the company and contribute to the company.
Ask these questions in Gyaku shitumon.
About Management
将来はマネジメントにも挑戦したいのですが、御社でマネージャーになるにはどのようなスキルが求められますか？
I would like to try management work in the future. What skills are required to become a manager at your company?
About Career
入社後はアプリの開発だけでなく、モバイルアプリやゲームの開発にも携わりたいのですが、そのような開発をすることもできるのでしょうか？
After joining the company, I would like to be involved in the development of not only apps, but also mobile apps and games. Is it possible to do such development?
It is also important to know that there are something that you need to be caraful.
Be careful about the questions you ask, as asking simple questions that can be answered by doing research or asking rude questions can damage your image.
Keep in mind that the following questions should not be asked.
About Salary
ボーナスは何ヶ月分ですか？
How many months of bonuses are paid?
Working Hours and Overtime
定時になったら帰れますか？ / 残業は毎日どのくらいありますか？
Can I leave at the regular time? / How much overtime do you have to work each day?
However, you do not have to ask the Gyaku shitsumon if you don’t have any.
Or, if you did not appeal well during the interview, make your appeal at the end instead of asking questions.
If you want to appeal, tell them the following
本日面接の中で、御社についてよく理解することができたので、質問は特にありません。もし内定をいただけたら、これまでの経験を生かして御社に貢献したいです。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
I have no specific questions, as I was able to get a good understanding of your company during the interview today. If I receive a job offer, I would like to contribute to your company by making use of my past experience.
How to make a Gyaku shitumon
Now let’s actually create a Gyaku shitumon.
Be sure to prepare one or two Gyaku shitumon in advance of the interview.
We recommend that you look at the website of the company you are applying for, as this will naturally give you the questions you want to ask.
The main point to look at is whether your previous experience matches with the company you have applied to.
For example, say you are developing a web app.
Suppose the company develops websites and mobile apps as well as web apps.
In such cases, the following questions can be asked to demonstrate motivation.
Again, you should ask questions that were not clear from the website.
If the website says anything about development languages, etc., ask a different question.
Example of Gyaku shitumon
For those who are interviewing with a Japanese company for the first time, it is difficult to create a question.
But it’s okay.
In this lesson, you will learn questions that you can use right away in the interview, so you can ask these questions.
Questions specific to foreigners
御社には外国人の方も働いていますか？
Do you have any foreign employees in your company?
御社で働く外国人の出身はどちらでしょうか？
Where do the foreigners who work for your company come from?
将来マネージャーとして働きたいのですが、外国人でもマネージャーになれますか？
I would like to work as a manager in the future, but can a foreigner become a manager?
Questions about employment before and after joining the company
入社前 に何か勉強しておくことはありますか？
Is there anything I should study before joining the company?
入社したらどのような業務を担当できるのでしょうか？
What kind of work will I be responsible for once I join the company?
仕事の1日のスケジュールを教えてください。
What is your work day schedule?
私は○○のお仕事だけでなく、☆☆にも挑戦したいと考えておりますが、入社後はどのようなキャリアパスがありますか？
I would like to try my hand at ☆☆☆ as well as __ work. What career paths are available to me after joining the company?
Next, we will give you examples of questions you should not ask.
Reverse Questions You Shouldn’t Ask
[Questions that would be considered unmotivated.
残業は1日どれくらいありますか？
How much overtime do you work per day?
定時は6時ですか？
Is the regular time 6:00 a.m.?
有給は取りやすいですか？
Is it easy to get paid leave?
[A question you’ll know when you see the job.
昇給は年に何回ありますか？
How many times a year do you give raises?
日本語レベルはどのくらい必要ですか？
What level of Japanese is required?
福利厚生を教えてください。
What are the welfare programmed?
Lesson Summary
In the Gyaku shitumon, you should ask questions related to the job and not questions that are on the website or in the job description.
A good impression at the interview may suddenly become a bad image and you may be rejected, so be careful about asking reverse questions.
For first-time workers in Japan, it is difficult to create a counter-question, so please try to arrange the example sentences in your own way.