Have you applied for jobs and never heard any feedback? Or got some and it was probably disappointing? Finding a job in Japan is not as difficult as it seems. If you ever experience that your applications were rejected multiple times then please, donโt just continue sending the same resume without reviewing it. Whether your Japanese level is high or not, it may be the resume itself that landed you that rejection. In this article, I will give you some tips on things you must know before writing a Japanese resume.
This article will hone in on Japanese words in several sections of the resume while translating and guiding you on what to write in these spaces you will also be able to get a good grasp on those characters (kanji) that you always set your eyes on but never knew the exact meanings.
The First Section (Profile)
In filling out your Japanese resume, the first things you will notice on the upper part of the form are ๅฑฅ ๆญด ๆธ rirekisho (resume) on the left and ๆฅ็พๅจ on the right (current date) please write the date that you are submitting your application. Remember, the Japanese format is year ๅนด month ๆand dayๆฅ. This is for Japanese resume templates you download online.
In case you buy a Japanese resume from a convenience store, the date format may include the Japanese era date like ๅนณๆ heisei so 2018 is ๅนณๆ30, 2019 is ๅนณๆ31 and so on. This will be followed by month and day in this format, here is an example of how โMay 20th, 2018โ will look in the form: ๅนณๆ30ๅนด05ๆ20ๆฅ็พๅจ
In the next box is ๆฐๅ shimei (name) where you should write your name in whatever alphabets that suit you. Donโt worry because just above this box is ใตใใใช furigana (phonetic) where you should transliterate your name in katakana. You will meet more spaces with ใตใใใช (phonetics) so always write the phonetic in this place.
The next thing is the date of birth and age, donโt forget to write your date of birth in the same date format as you wrote in the beginning in current date (if you use the Japanese era name of date, for people born between 1926-1989 you may circle ๆญๅ shouwa then number of year. If you were born from 1989-present, you may circle ๅนณๆ heisei). If you were born in 1994 it will be ๅนณๆ6. Write your current age in between the characters like this(ๆบ22ๆญณ).
On the right-hand side, there is a space for you to put your ID photo. Please make sure you look smart in this photo and avoid using a picture you took as a selfie for your Japanese Resume. Then confirm your gender by circling male (็ท) or female (ๅฅณ).
Next is your current address ็พไฝๆ enter your present address by starting with the city code for example ใ350-1101. Please make sure the address is detailed. There is also ้ป่ฉฑ denwa (telephone) where it is very important to write your phone number.
The next box is ้ฃ็ตกๅ ใ, this is optional (if you wish to be contacted in a place other than that you mentioned in your current address then you may fill it here.
Academic and Job History
The next section is ๅญฆๆญดใป่ทๆญด๏ผๅๅฅใซใพใจใใฆๆธใ) gakurekiย shokureki (kaku-bestu ni matomete kaku) meaning educational background and job history (write each one separately). So please start by writing your educational background.
On a fresh line write ๅญฆๆญด in the middle and begin to list the schools that you have attended. You are required to write the entrance date and name of the school on one line then ๅ ฅๅญฆ (entrance), and on the next line will be your graduation date with the name of the school again followed by ๅๆฅญ (graduation).
Donโt forget the โyear before monthโ format. You may write from elementary school, junior high school high school until the last school that you have attended. The important thing is that you need to write out clearly the formal name of the institutions.
After you are done with writing your schools, please skip a line before starting the next section. This makes you more responsible and your work clearer. Write ่ทๆญด work history in the next line. Remember to write the start date of work and the date of retirement (just like in the educational background each should be on a different line)ย
Some of these things may not seem severe for some people in other countries but for a typical Japanese resume you need to understand that everything matters.
The next box which contains this characters ๅ ่จฑใป่ณๆ ผ menkyoย shikaku (license qualification) is where you write out all the certificates and awards that you have earned. Donโt forget to write the year and month too.
Section on Self-Promotion Statement
Next is one of the most important information that will access you. The box withย ย ๅฟๆใฎๅๆฉใ็นๆใๅฅฝใใชๅญฆ็งใใขใใผใซใใคใณใใชใฉ ๅฟๆย shibouย motivation ใฎย no (of) ๅๆฉ douki (aspiration), ็นๆtoukugi,(special skill) sukinagaka (favorite subject) apiru pointo nado (appeal point, promotion about yourself).
This is where you need to write something important and unique about yourself. Something that can make the company interested in having you work for them. Some people have special gifts but they donโt write it. Please do not waste your opportunity by skipping this part. Write why you want to work there.
You may research the company and write that your motivation is to help improve the company in the ways in which you are competent. Make sure that your skills and competence are related to the field you are referring to. Please write wisely and make it real.ย
While it may be usual for you to just erase a mistake or draw a line through an incorrect word, it is definitely recommended to just use a brand new piece of paper. First impressions are everything here.ย Whenever possible, and within reason, try to submit originals instead of copies.
I hope you were able to take something away from this, writing a resume in a new cultures format can seem like a daunting task and this guide should eliminate any undue stress. If you wind up landing that job thanks to this article, do let us know!
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Hello
Thank you for this article.
I’d like to tender my resume to apply for some jobs in Japan.
However, I am African and do not currently reside in Japan. Please kindly advise me on the following… Do I download a Japanese styled resume template, print out, fill by hand (as opposed to typing), then scan to submit?
Also, is there a means to contact you directly?
If yes, I’d appreciate it.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Fe