Watch the YouTube video for this article
After passing the document screening, the next step is the interview. How do you prepare for an interview?
Usually, you prepare answers to the questions you might be asked at the interview in advance, and do image training over and over again so that you can answer any question you are asked.
In this lesson, we will teach you how to prepare to pass the interview.
If you remember these three points, you will be able to proceed to the interview with an advantage.
If you are planning to work in Japan in the future or have an interview coming up, please use this lesson as a reference and prepare yourself.
Thinking about what to say in an interview in Japanese
When you’re thinking about how to answer questions you might be asked in an interview, do you first think about what you want to say in your native language and then translate it into Japanese?
When thinking of the sentences you want to convey in an interview, start by composing your sentences in Japanese, rather than in your native language.
The reason is that sentences translated by Google Translate and other similar services contain difficult words and expressions that would not be used in an interview.
The sentences I create on translation sites contain difficult vocabulary that I don’t know and have never used before, so I’m having a hard time memorizing them even though I’m trying.
Also, because it includes words that we do not normally use, we are unable to understand the original meaning of the words, and we do not know how to use them correctly, or our Japanese ends up sounding strange.
The advantage of writing sentences in Japanese that you want to convey during an interview is that you can write them using only words that you already know, so you can easily memorize the sentences and, as a result, you can convey your message to the interviewer smoothly.
Of course, it’ll also help you practice your Japanese, so it’s a win-win situation.
Needless to say, interviews with Japanese companies will be conducted in Japanese, so when you’re thinking about what you want to convey in the interview, think and prepare in Japanese, not your native language.
Company Analysis
During an interview, you will definitely be asked about your motivation for applying.
You need to be able to clearly answer the question of why you applied to this company and not another.
When writing your motivation for applying, look at the website of the company you are applying to and think about your reasons for wanting the job.
Make sure you understand what kind of company you’re applying to and think about how you can use your experience and how you can contribute to the company.
When it comes to motivations for changing jobs, you probably want to do so because you’re dissatisfied with your current company, such as with human relationships or salary.
You won’t be hired just by honestly expressing your dissatisfaction, so you can create a reason for wanting the company by looking at its website and doing some research.
Make a recruitment agency your ally
Many foreigners don’t apply for jobs themselves, but rather use a job hunting agency to do so. But are you leaving everything up to the job hunting agency?
It’s a common misconception that a job hunting agency will take care of everything from start to finish, but that’s a big mistake.
The agent can be both your ally and your enemy.
They will write resumes and work experience records on your behalf, and will conduct a lot of interviews to communicate your experience and skills to the company.
You may also be asked to submit necessary documents to help prepare your application.
If you are unable to answer the agent’s questions smoothly and leave it for a few days, you will not be offered any work.
If you respond slowly, people will wonder, “Is this person slow at work?” and this will affect your future support.
When an agent introduces candidates to a company, the agent will select candidates to a certain extent and introduce only the people the company is looking for, so people who are unable to communicate or who are slow to respond will be deemed unable to perform well even if they join the company and will not be introduced to job openings.
No matter how busy you are at work, you should avoid not contacting the company at all.
If you are busy, just saying “I’m busy right now, but I’ll contact you when my work has settled down” can make a big difference in the impression you make, so be sure to say at least a few words.
Some people also miss their interviews with recruitment agents.
You may forget the date of the interview due to the time difference or being busy at work, but be sure to manage your schedule carefully so that the interview can take place as planned.
Recruitment agencies will also take time out of their busy schedules to meet with applicants.
If you forget the interview date and are unable to attend, it will significantly damage your image and you will no longer be introduced to employers.
By submitting your request promptly to the agent and making sure that communication is smooth, you can make them think, “This person is good at the job! I’m sure he will do well if I introduce him to a company.”
Lesson Summary
So far we have learned about the characteristics and skills of people who pass interviews.
To summarize the characteristics and skills, the following people are able to pass interviews:
① Think about the sentences you will say in Japanese during the interview.
When you think about what you want to say during the interview, think about it in Japanese, not your native language, and prepare accordingly.
By thinking about sentences using words you already know, you will be able to communicate smoothly during the interview.
② Analyze the company
Explain why you want to work for this company and not others.
Look at the company’s website and explain how you can utilize your experience and skills.
③ Make the recruitment agency your ally.
Recruitment agencies should be treated with the same respect and care as the companies you are applying to.
Every single thing you say or do may be conveyed to the company.
These are all things that should be obvious, but people who get job offers do these things as a matter of course.
Practice interviews as much as possible, and also get a Japanese person to act as your interviewer for a realistic practice.
Even if you practice by yourself, you may feel nervous when you actually have an interview with a Japanese person, or the interviewer may speak faster than you expected and you may not be able to understand what is being said, so ask a Japanese person for help.