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This question is often asked in Japanese interviews.
We will explain in detail how to answer this question and how to write it down.
If you can communicate a clear career plan, you will be seen as having a vision for what you will do after joining the company and as being motivated, making it easier to get a job offer.
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Case Study
キャリアプランについて教えてください。
現職でのソフトウェア開発者と日本語を生かして、将来は日本の開発者も含めたチームのマネージメントに挑戦したいです。
御社では今後グローバル展開を考えていらっしゃるとのことで、私は英語がネイティブなので、将来マネージャーとして御社のグローバル事業推進に貢献していければと思っております。
これまでの開発経験で得た知見を生かし、インバウンド客向けのアプリだけでなく、海外展開へ向けて事業を一緒に進めていきたいと思います。
I will explain this article in more detail.
First, let me give you the conclusion.
Communicate a feasible career plan for your new company. Keep it simple and summarize it in one minute.
Next, I will explain my contribution points.
Use your past experience to communicate in concrete terms how you can contribute to the company. Focus on how you can contribute rather than what you want to do.
Next, let us share our enthusiasm.
After explaining your conclusion and how you will contribute, finish by expressing your enthusiasm. After speaking logically, convey your enthusiasm to the company and your desire to join the company.
Here are some points to keep in mind when communicating your career plans.
Point 1: Research the company.
Find out whether you can achieve what you want to do at the company you are transferring to. By doing your research beforehand, the interviewer will be impressed that you have done a lot of research.
Point 2: Is the career plan feasible?
For example, saying “I want to be involved in management in a year” will be seen as unrealistic and inappropriate.
Point 3: Communicate logically and calmly.
The interviewer is not interested in your dreams, but rather wants to know what kind of work you would like to do at the company, so don’t speak too passionately and emotionally, but instead convey a career plan that can only be realized at that company.
\ Tips on how to get a job in Japan can be found here /
Business Japanese for career planning
Let’s review the business Japanese used in the previous example sentence, “Career plan.”
挑戦：Taking on difficult challenges
[Example sentence]
新しいビジネスを挑戦しようと試みた。
我が社の挑戦は失敗に終わった。
何度も挑戦することで成功に近づく。
御社：About the other company
[Example sentence]
御社の規定に従います。
御社の事業内容についてもっと知りたいです。
競合他社は御社だけではありません。
推進：To make things go smoothly
[Example sentence]
その事業を推進するつもりです。
SDGs運動を推進しています。
弊社は発展途上国との貿易を推進しています。
貢献：Doing my best to be helpful
[Example sentence]
私は宇宙開発計画に多大な貢献をした。
地域社会の発展に貢献する。
会社はロケット工学の発展に大いに貢献した。
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How to create a career plan
When it comes to your career plan, make sure to present one that suits the company and your level. Even if you present a career plan with high goals, it will be recognized as motivation, but be careful as it may be deemed unrealistic and you may not be hired.
Here’s a question for those who are planning to work for a Japanese company: Can you answer these questions clearly and specifically?
なぜ他社ではなく、その会社で働きたいのでしょうか？
入社できた後のキャリアプランやビジョンを教えてください。
By researching the company, you will be able to clearly understand why you want to work for this company rather than another one. By researching the company, you will also be able to learn about the company’s business activities and the career paths of your seniors, which will help you see your goals after joining the company.
If you don’t research the company, your reason for wanting to work there will be vague, like “I want to work in Japan,” which will make the interviewer think “Wouldn’t any Japanese company be fine?” and you won’t be hired.
Now, let me tell you how to research a company. Before the interview, be sure to check out the website of the company you are applying to and do some research on the company.
What kind of information do you look at and research on the website?
- What do I have in common with the company I’m applying to?
- What’s different about the company I’m applying to compared to other companies?
- How can I apply my skills and experience to the company I’m applying to?
Use the above information to research the company.
\ Check jobs you can apply for from overseas /
入社後のキャリアプランについて教えてください。