If you want to move past the “red flag” zone, mastering these specific phrases and gestures is extremely important. Showing a good grasp of Japanese etiquette for Japanese job interviews also signals your genuine interest in living and working in Japan. Here is your quick-start guide to the “Interview Ritual.”
Enter the interview room respectfully
- Step 1: Making sure you are not even a minute late, knock on the door three times before entering. “It is common to knock 2–3 times before entering doors in general. For formal settings, it is recommended you knock thrice.
- Step 2: Wait for the interviewer to let you in. You might hear a variation of:
- どうぞ ~ Dōzo”
- Translation: Go ahead
- Step 3: Open the door and then say:
- し”つれいいたします ~ Shitsurei itashimasu
- Literal Translation: I am about to commit a discourtesy by interrupting.
- This is a polite phrase used when entering or leaving a room to show respect.
Let the interviewer set the pace
- Step 4: Before sitting down, wait for your interviewers to invite you to sit down. They may signal or you may hear them say:
- 座ってください ~ Suwatte kudasai
- Translation: Please sit down.
- Step 5: Formally greet them according to the time of the interview with a small bow (around 30 degrees).
- Morning (Until 11 AM)
- おはようございます ~ Ohayou gozaimasu
- Translation: Good morning
- Afternoon (11 AM – 5 PM)
- こんにちは ~ Konnichiwa
- Translation: Good day
- Evening (6PM Onwards)
- こんばんは ~ Konbanwa
- Translation: Good evening
- Morning (Until 11 AM)
Introduce yourself
Step 6: Start your self-introduction (jikoshōkai) when prompted.
When asked for self-introduction, make sure you say the most important beginning and ending phrases. Here’s the typical structure for a self introduction:
- Part 1: “Hajimemashite. [Your name] to mōshimasu.”
- Translation: It’s nice to meet you. My name is [your name.]
- This phrase is typically used when meeting a person for the first time.
- Part 2: [The rest of your self-introduction]
- Part 3: “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu ~ よろしく おねがいします”
- Translation: “I look forward to our relationship.”
- This phrase can mean several things that signify optimism for your future interactions. It may also mean:
- “Please treat me well”
- “I’m in your debt”
- “I’m counting on you”
Understand the questions well
- Step 7: Listen intently. Make sure to clarify questions you do not understand. When answering the questions, try to take into consideration what specific information they are trying to get from you. Your ability to comprehend and properly communicate hinges on your listening skill!
- Step 8: Answer concisely. Especially for the first rounds where there’s limited time to conduct the interview. One great way to keep answers efficient is to always start with the conclusion first, followed by a brief explanation. Avoid digressing or going into long tangents. It’s better to let the interviewer take the lead. Efficient answers that fully consider the interviewers’ questions is another way of showing respect for the interviewers’ time. For example:
- Interviewer: What are your plans 5 years from now?
- You: I plan to pursue leadership positions within the company at that time. Hopefully, by then, I would have mastered the position assigned to me and am able to mentor other people.
Leave a great last impression
- Step 9: Ask a specific reverse question. Wrapping up, the interviewer will ask you if you have questions for them. Taking into account everything you know about the company, and what transpired at the interview, express curiosity and genuine interest through your final question directed at the company.
- Step 10: It’s crucial to say this again with a small bow.
- Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. ~ よろしく おねがいします
- Step 11: Say goodbye properly. While seated, say thank you. You can then stand up and walk to the door. Before exiting, make sure to bow and say:
- Shitsurei itashimasu ~ 失礼いたします
- Translation: “Excuse me” (used here as “I am now leaving”)
Summary of Important Greetings and Phrases
| When to say it | Japanese Phrase | Translation | Usage |
| When entering the interview room | し”つれいいたします ~ Shitsurei itashimasu | Literal translation: “I am about to commit a discourtesy by interrupting.” | This is a polite phrase used when entering or leaving a room to show respect. |
| Morning greeting (Until 11 AM) | おはようございます ~ Ohayou gozaimasu | “Good morning” | Respectful morning greeting. |
| Afternoon/General greeting (11 AM – 5PM) | こんにちは ~ Konnichiwa | “Good day” | Respectful general greeting. Can be used any time of the day however may seem a little less formal. |
| Evening greeting (5 PM Onwards) | こんばんは ~ Konbanwa | “Good evening” | Respectful evening greeting. |
| Start of self introduction | 初めまして ~ Hajimemashite | “It’s nice to meet you” | Initial greeting before your self-introduction. |
| End of self-introduction and again at the end of the interview | よろしく おねがいします ~ Yoroshiku onegaishimasu | “I look forward to our relationship.” “Please treat me well” “I’m in your debt” “I’m counting on you” | Used at the end of meeting someone new. Especially important in formal settings. |
| When leaving the interview room | Shitsurei itashimasu ~ 失礼いたします | “Excuse me” | In this case, it is used to say that you are leaving. |
Key Actions to Remember
A small simple bow can be easily folded in as part of your etiquette. It’s a quick way to show humility, say thank you, hello, or goodbye in a respectful way.
Maintaining a gentle smile during the interview is another way to show politeness, eagerness to work with them, and a pleasant working demeanor. Smiling can also help you manage your own nerves.
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About Your AtoJ Hirameki Sensei
Hello! My name is Amogh, and I’m a Japanese language Trainer at AtoJ Hirameki.
I have always enjoyed reading books and creating videos—both shooting and editing them. A few years ago, I decided to learn a language that did not use Roman characters. That curiosity led me to Japanese, and since then, I have stayed deeply connected with the language and culture.
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