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In this video, we will explain in detail how to answer when asked why you have changed jobs so many times, provide example sentences, and explain why Japanese companies care about the number of times you have changed jobs.
In other countries, people change jobs to advance their careers, so the number of times they change jobs inevitably increases, but in Japan, if you have changed jobs many times, the interviewer will always ask you, “Why have you changed jobs so many times?”
In Japan, there is a strong general perception that having changed jobs many times is a negative thing , so how you answer this question will have a big impact on whether you are accepted or not.
Please read to the end to ensure you are successful in your job search and career change in Japan.
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Why Japanese companies care about “number of job changes”
In Japanese work culture, the idea of repeatedly changing jobs to advance one’s career, as is the case in the West , is not yet common.
Small and medium-sized companies and traditional companies especially value people who will work for them for a long time. For this reason, they tend to have the following concerns about people who change jobs frequently:
1. People think you’ll quit soon
Hiring requires costs for education and training. If a company goes to great lengths to train a new employee, only to have them quit after a short time, it will result in a huge loss for the company.
2. They seem to lack patience.
When faced with a difficult job or relationship, you may be perceived as someone who is quick to quit without persevering.
3. Your career is perceived as inconsistent
If your goals for changing jobs are all over the place, you will be evaluated as someone who doesn’t know what you’re aiming for. If your future career plans are unclear, employers won’t feel at ease.
In other words, Japanese companies tend to view frequent job changes as a cause for concern.
However, if you can clearly explain your reasons during the interview and convey that you intend to work for a long time in the future, there will be no problem at all.
Keep in mind the risks of changing jobs frequently.
When foreigners change jobs frequently in Japan, there are the following risks:
•It’s easy to fail the document screening process
If your resume includes multiple short-term employment experiences, you may be seen as someone who won’t last long, which can put you at a disadvantage at the application stage.
Tough questions asked during interviews
There is a high chance that you will be asked repeated questions such as “Why did you quit?” or “Why didn’t you continue?”
•It is difficult to get a job offer with the desired conditions
Because the employer may perceive this as a risk, they may offer lower salary or position than you expected. It is important to understand these risks and think carefully about how to answer.
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Tips for effective answers in an interview
Even if you have changed jobs many times, depending on how you answer, you may be seen as having a “positive career.”
Keep the following points in mind:
Avoid negative reasons such as “bad interpersonal relationships” or “low salary.” Instead, it’s important to give positive reasons such as “to improve my skills” or “to deepen my expertise.”
If you don’t want to lie, it’s okay to just tell the truth.
However, instead of saying “It didn’t suit me,” try to phrase it differently, such as “I tried it, but I felt it was the wrong direction, so I reconsidered it early on.”
Finally, emphasize that you want to work for the company for a long time. The key is to convey this in a way that puts the hiring manager at ease.
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Examples of good and bad answers
Here are some good and bad examples. By comparing the two, you’ll know how to convey your message in an interview.
You will be asked questions like this in the interview.
First, here’s an example of a bad answer.
I quit because the salary was low
Because I didn’t get along with my boss.
There was a lot of overtime and it was tough.
I am perfectly aware that the
reason for changing jobs is because I am unhappy with my current company, so
the reason for changing jobs is a negative one , but I would like to sugar coat it rather than say it directly.
Next, I’ll show you some good ways to answer.
I’ve provided three example sentences, so you can use them as a basis to create your own reasons. Of course, these are sentences you can use as they are.
I have worked at several companies to broaden my career in Japan. In my previous job, I learned sales skills, and before that, I worked in sales. Through these experiences, I realized that I wanted to work in the IT field for a long time. I would like to utilize this experience at your company and grow in the long term.
In the past, I tried out a few different jobs to find the right fit for me. However, I realized that my strengths lie in customer service. I hope to build relationships with customers at your company and build a long-term career here.
I previously changed jobs many times while searching for the direction of my career, but what I learned from that experience is that it is important to hone your expertise deeply at one company. Now I would like to settle down and work in your company’s environment.
summary
In Japan, having changed jobs many times is often seen as a negative. However, if you answer carefully, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a disadvantage.
What’s important is,
1. Explain that you changed jobs for positive growth, not for negative reasons.
2. Consider your true feelings and what you say, and say nice things
. 3. Clearly communicate your intention to work there long-term.
Having changed jobs many times is also an advantage in that it shows that you have diverse experience. How you organize and communicate your career history can make a big difference in the impression you leave on the interviewer.
Foreigners should also be able to achieve better results in their job search in Japan if they keep these points in mind.
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