Working in Hiroshima
Job Search Activity Methods and Recruiting Selection Methods in Japan
The Recruiting Methods of Japanese Companies
In Japan, there are 2 types of recruiting methods.
The first one is the “hiring of new graduates,” which applies to individuals graduating from universities, graduate schools, or specialized training colleges, etc., and who are working for the first time, and the second one is “mid-career hiring,” which applies to individuals who are already in the workforce.
Although the recruitment methods for mid-career hiring is practically the same as the methods used overseas, the hiring of new graduates is a distinctly Japanese method of recruitment.
Additionally, many Japanese companies do not have a hiring allotment specifically geared toward international students, and in such cases, international students are recruited under the same hiring allotment and recruitment methods as those used for Japanese people.
In Japan, the method of “simultaneous hiring” through which students scheduled to graduate are hired simultaneously for each fiscal year is used, and those that are hired begin working on April 1st of the fiscal year following their graduation.
Recruiting Selection Methods in Japan
Regarding the recruiting examinations used by Japanese companies, in addition to written examinations, a variety of types of interview examinations are conducted a minimum of 3 times or more.
Selection Process
3rd year of university (1st year of master’s program)
Starting from March 1st
1. Pre-entry
In order to take a recruiting examination for a Japanese company, you must first request to receive informational materials form your desired company, and submit your pre-entry.
Unless you have submitted your pre-entry, the company may not notify you of the recruiting examination.
3rd year of university (1st year of master’s program)
March to May
2. Company informational sessions
Since there are cases where you may not be allowed to participate in the selection process if you do not attend the company’s informational session, absolutely make sure to attend the company informational sessions for you desired companies.
4th year of university (2nd year of master’s program)
April to May
3. Submitting entry sheets and resumes
Your entry sheet is a document that is used to express your intentions for applying for your desired company’s selection process, and you should use it to write a promotional self-introduction and your statement of intent and it should be submitted.
The entry sheet submitted should follow the company’s specified format.
A resume is also a document that is used when applying for the selection process of your desired company.
You can purchase a resume form at the university you are attending, and you should draft it and submit it.
4. Written examinations
Written examinations are conducted with the purpose of identifying the applicant’s fundamental abilities, general common-sense knowledge, and personality, etc.
As a general rule, as the questions are written in Japanese, Japanese reading comprehension ability will be required.
You should prepare yourself in advance by identifying what kind of written examinations your desired companies administer.
Unless you are able to achieve a certain level of performance as determined by the company, you will be unable to proceed to the subsequent interviews.
4th year of university (2nd year of master’s program)
June
5. Interview examinations
In Japan, interview examinations are conducted a minimum of 3 times.
These examinations include a variety of formats, such as individual interviews, group interviews, group discussions, etc.
4th year of university (2nd year of master’s program)
Starting from October 1st
6. Informal job offers
Depending on the company, preliminary informal job offers may be issued starting in June.
More official informal job offers are issued starting on October 1st.