In Japan, many students especially university students are considerably afraid of one thing, not final exams, not teachers, but interview for jobs.
Unlike western countries, a funny and relaxation interview will never be conducted until interviewers are also westerners. Many people fail their interviews because they made some mistakes on their behaviours and words. Many people here may feel: oh, if I am foreigner, they may regard it as culture difference and forgive me for my tiny mistakes. If you have such a thought, you will be heavily shocked for your results of interviews. Appropriate behaviours are required for foreigners as well, reversely, it will be stand you out amongst others as you can know the correct behaviours while many other Japanese don’t. In view of the importance of good behaviours, let’s have a look at what we should be aware for an interview.
1. Knock the door exactly three times – twice is for toilet
Knocking the door before entering is how Japanese show their politeness to others. But there are only two possibilities – twice or three times: Twice is for checking if anyone is at toilet while three times is for entering the room.
2. Say “shitsureshimasu” when you get in
“Shitsureshimatsu” means Sorry for bothering you, which also shows your politeness as it is commonly used by Japanese every day as a cultural thing. You can use it when you leave people’s home, hang up the phone or other situations as well. So keep it in mind.
3. Never sit down until been asked
Japan is full of rules in society, especially places like company. Sitting down before being asked will be regarded as rudeness as you are interviewee who should behave more politely.
4. Do not lean back against the chair
While you are taking the interview, leaning back against chair will give a bad impression on interviewers because it shows you are relaxed in a heavy atmosphere when others are very serious.
5. Do research on each company
And also analyse yourself before going to the interview, there are lots of questions regarding it in the interview. In contrast with western-style interviews, Japanese interviewers want to know more about yourself rather than your skills or previous experience. At the same time, they also want to know how much you know about their companies.
6. Never laugh in front of interviewers because interviews in Japan are much more serious
The atmosphere of interview is very heavy, sometimes making people feel uncomfortable and afraid of it. Even so, breaking the atmosphere will get you into trouble as the old idiom says, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”.
7. Never be late
Punctuality matters a lot to your first impression on them. Japanese people care about time a lot as you can see many of workers wearing watch at work. Therefore, being late for an interview may infer that you are careless or you don’t take them seriously.
8. Contents on resume: not how you love Japan, but what can you do for the company
Even if you are foreigner and you want to show how you like Japan, interviewers will never treat you differently because they need people who can make profits or contribute to the company, no matter who you are or how you love Japan.
9. Dress properly
Men and Women have slightly different dress code requirements for interviews but basically, Black suits, white shirts, solid or striped tie, well ironed pants, dark-colour shoes with same colour of belt, socks are completely acceptable.
10. Bow before standing up when the interview is over, bow again before leaving the room
When the interview is over, say “arigatougozaimashita” (meaning: thanks for interviewing me), then bow before standing up. Then, before leaving the room, bow again next to the door. These two steps play an important role on interview as well because Japanese do care about this kind of tiny behaviours.
Pay attention to those listed above, you will see how surprised your interviewers are at your performance and offer? Don’t worry, it’s just matter of time. The more details you are conscious of, the easier you will stand out.
