Points to keep in mind when changing jobs in Japan: Not passing the document screening process.
Introduction
When foreign engineers consider changing jobs in Japan, the first hurdle is the document screening. Since application documents determine the first impression given to a company, failing at this stage prevents you from proceeding further. Unlike in Western countries where resumes (CVs) are often less detailed, it’s different here in Japan.
Our company introduces non-public job listings at foreign consulting firms, including the Big 4. Drawing from these experiences, we will focus on "How to Pass Document Screening When Changing Jobs in Japan" and provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for rejection and the countermeasures.
Main Reasons Why Foreign Engineers Fail Document Screening
1. Resume Inadequacies
Resumes can be deemed inadequate for reasons such as missing required information, numerous typographical errors, or improper formatting.
Countermeasures:
- Ensure no omissions of basic information. A common omission is the lack of Furigana (phonetic guides).
- Check for typographical errors in Japanese.
- Use an easy-to-read format.
- Prepare a Japanese resume. Only a few companies in Japan use English as their official language. Providing a Japanese resume showcases your language skills.
2. Mismatched Experience and Skills
If you lack the necessary experience and skills for the applied position, you are likely to be rejected at the document screening stage.
Countermeasures:
- Carefully read the job information and accurately understand the required skills and experience.
- Clearly state your experience and skills, emphasizing their relevance to the position.
- Separate your academic experience from your work experience. Unfortunately, internships are not highly valued in Japan.
- Include the results and improvements you made in your work. For programmers, it is especially difficult to compare with others, so be mindful of this when writing.
3. Vague Application Motives
If your motives for applying are unclear or you don’t resonate with the company's philosophy and vision, you may fail the document screening. Statements like "I can do anything" or "I can catch up quickly" might be perceived as lacking specialization or determination, increasing the likelihood of rejection. Additionally, stating "I want a global environment" without specificity can also lower your chances since many companies in Japan offer global environments. You need to articulate what sets this company apart and why you prefer a global environment in Japan. Consider that many clients of the Big 4 foreign consulting firms are Japanese companies.
Countermeasures:
- Conduct thorough research on the company and provide specific reasons for your application. At a minimum, thoroughly review their website.
- Include content from the company’s website in your application motives for better effect.
- Highlight your alignment with the company’s philosophy and vision.
- While almost everyone looks to increase their salary through job changes, focus on other work-related reasons in your application.
- Explain why you prefer a global environment in Japan.
4. Desired Salary Too High Compared to Current Salary
It is acceptable to request a high salary if you can objectively prove that your technical skills surpass those of others. However, if you cannot provide objective proof, avoid asking for an excessively high desired salary. Salary negotiations should be saved for the final stage.
5. Too Many Job Changes
Even foreign companies in Japan assume lifetime employment. Under Japanese law, it is not easy to terminate employment, so candidates with frequent job changes (every 1-2 years) may be rejected during document screening. If you have a history of frequent job changes in your home country, emphasize your job stability in Japan. If you are unsure how to present this, consult with Arigato Work.
Specific Approaches to Pass Document Screening and Improve Your Resume
Improving the Summary Section:
- Concisely summarize your self-introduction and career highlights.
- Ensure the content is appealing at a glance.
Specificity in Work History:
- Demonstrate specific achievements and accomplishments with numbers.
- Detail relevant projects and roles.
Enhancing the Skills Section:
- Prioritize skills relevant to the applied position.
- Balance the presentation of soft and hard skills.
Making Application Motives Specific:
- Understand the company's strengths: Reference the company’s website and press releases to grasp its strengths and competitive advantages.
- Link them with your vision: Connect your career vision with the company’s vision and highlight specific commonalities.
Follow-up After Document Screening
Even after passing the document screening, it's important to prepare for the next step: the interview.
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Simulating Interviews:
- Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. At Arigato Work, we offer interview practice.
- Prepare answers to common questions.
- Many first interviews are conducted in Japanese. Practice speaking in Japanese unless the job explicitly states otherwise.
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Deepening Company Research:
- Investigate the company’s latest news and projects.
- Predict topics that might interest the interviewer.
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Refining Your Self-PR:
- Reaffirm your strengths and experiences, and prepare specific episodes to discuss.
- Emphasize skills and achievements relevant to the applied position.
Conclusion
There are various reasons for failing document screening, but most can be overcome with the right measures. By improving your resume, making your application motives specific, and deepening your company research, you can increase your chances of job change success. Through your job search efforts, guide your career in a better direction.
In the next section, we will provide further details along with specific success and failure stories.
For those interested in Arigato Work’s job change support,
please register from the link below. https://arigato-work.com/useful/ .
Our company supports the job search activities of engineers, regardless of nationality.
ーーーArticle byーーーーーー
Specialized bilingual engineering recruitment agency
Arigato work
Head of Recruitment
Junichiro Kuwahara
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
please register from the link below. https://arigato-work.com/useful/ .
Our company supports the job search activities of engineers, regardless of nationality.
ーーーArticle byーーーーーー
Specialized bilingual engineering recruitment agency
Arigato work
Head of Recruitment
Junichiro Kuwahara
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
