Once you’ve secured an interview with a Japanese company, they have already probably seen your potential from your resume. During your interview, more than your technical skills, they will be looking for the key things about you that can’t be found in your resume that can determine if you’ll be a good fit at the company. Understanding where your needs and the company’s needs meet is key to how you can get hired in Japan as a foreign talent.
General Green Flags Japanese Companies Look For That Will Get You Hired
Across the board, these are what Japanese companies look for:
#1 Good Communication Skills
There’s more to your communication skills apart from perfecting your Japanese language skills. You need to comprehend the question and the intention behind it. For example, the question “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is not asking you to see the future, but is giving you the opportunity to talk about how your goals and expectations align with the company in the long run.
#2 Commitment to stay and grow at the company
Though Japanese companies seeking to globalize are changing, a lot of traditional Japanese companies still hold the “membership mindset.” This is where new hires are expected to stay in the same job they began with right after graduating.
On top of that, hiring foreigners requires Japanese companies to invest a little more in them. Most likely, they spent on marketing strategies, especially targeting foreigners. Once hired, they also put effort, money, and their reputation on the line to sponsor applicant visas. Lastly, they might give extra training to help with cultural barriers. With all that in mind, most Japanese companies will hope that employees will stay long enough to at least give them a return on investment.
#3 Grounded appreciation of Japanese Culture
A lot of people who want to work in Japan were anime-inspired. Some even have this hyper-idealized version of what Japanese life is like. However, as amazing as life can be in Japan, it will also have its challenges, especially for foreigners moving away from home. It’s important to have a realistic view of Japan. You need to ruminate on how the culture will affect your daily life in Japan.
#4 Respect for time
The Japanese are known all over the world for how strict they are with time. Failing to show this basic trait can be a shortcut to rejection. Being on time is about respecting the schedule of the people you’re meeting. High-level executives carve out very precious time for interviews.
Respecting time is also expressed in how efficient and concise you are when answering questions. Going on too long on one question can keep your interviewers from asking all the questions they prepared beforehand. That’s also why it’s important to fully understand the questions, so that you answer them in a way that can best be appreciated efficiently by the interviewer. One easy tip to do: always answer with your conclusion first, before a brief explanation.
#5 History of being a team player
Japanese companies are all about teamwork. When talking about your achievements, you mustn’t just talk about your individual prowess, but also how valuable you were in enabling or empowering your team.
#6 Growth mindset
“Kaizen” is a famous Japanese concepts that talk about continuous improvement. Especially if you’re a new hire, showing how you’re eager to learn and improve can be the best indicator of your potential.
Company-Specific Green Flags Japanese Companies Look For That Will Get You Hired
Every Japanese job interview is different! The perfect answer for one company can be the opposite for another company.
#7 An authentic alignment with the company’s culture, vision, or mission
How did your interests, goals, and dreams affect your degree specialization, your final year project, or your volunteer work? If you can figure that out, you need to connect that with what the Japanese company’s mission and vision are. Japanese companies believe that the recipe for a committed employee is beyond a salary, but is rooted in a real connection with the company. How well you answer this hinges on the depth of your company research.
#8 A personality fit for the team you are joining
Not everything, though, can be within your control. Based on your interview, Japanese companies will assess if your personality fits the specific team you will be joining. Some teams are more introverted, and some love to party. It’s important to be genuine because you also don’t want to work in a company where you’re only pretending to fit in.
However, there’s still something you can do. Make sure you’re relaxed during the interview so you can present the best version of your personality. Being well-rested and well-prepared can set you up with the calmness and confidence required for success.
#9 The skill level required according to the position
- For Fresh to Recent Graduates: the potential to learn, adapt, and grow. They’ve already accepted that you will have a learning curve, so you just need to show that you’ll have a good attitude about it.
- For Mid-Hires: The capacity to transpose and translate their skills and experiences into the company’s Japanese environment. As you’ll be joining the company after some experience, you’ll be expected to show up as an expert.
Now that you understand how to get hired and what Japanese companies are looking for, read our story on your Checklist before your Japanese Job Interviews.
