SHŪKATSU
Job-Hunting in Japan
Have you ever thought, “After studying at a Japanese university, I would like to find a job in Japan?"
If so, you would have to be come into the SHUKATSU world!! In these days, many students from overseas share this desire, and in order to realize it, it is necessary to know "Japanese job hunting system" which is so called "SHUKATSU"(就活). It indicates a specific time-axis dedicated to job-hunting activities and there are many selection steps which is the style greatly differs from that of your overseas countries.
We, 4ist (For International Students KIKOU) would share our own knowledge from our long experience as seniors and would support for students graduating in April, after four years of study at university, to present and to teach the Japanese job-hunting process in its broad strokes for international students.
Step 1
Self-analysis ・Information gathering
You have to look back on their student life, self-analyze and start preparing before being overwhelmed and pressed by time with the submission of Entry Sheets(ES) and interviews with working to gathering the information.
Step 2
Attending Company information sessions, Seminars, and Alumni visits
During this period, there are different methods for students to look into industries or companies that caught their attention, including attending company information sessions, seminars, and alumni visits, doing internships and researching on the Internet.
Step 3
Selection process (Documents evaluation ⇒ SPI test / Interview)
It will be the step with the largest number of interviews, of which there are two types: in groups or individually. Companies usually carry out an average of three to four interviews, but this number varies from one corporation to another, some of them even conducting up to ten interviews. Also, other than interviews, group works are often established to see how you can actually work and also you have to take the examination such as SPI etc.
Process for SHŪKATSU
Self-analysis
Job hunting starts from Self-analysis
It is a step to analyze your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as your own experiences and thoughts, deepen your understanding, and find out what kind of industry, company, or occupation would be suitable for you.By looking back on your past in chronological order and writing it out in a straightforward manner, you will be able to logically summarize what you have been able to concentrate on and what you have gained from your experience. It is also effective to hear frank opinions about yourself from other people such as friends and seniors. It is important to imagine your own career plan by understanding what kind of person you are and what kind of life you want to live in the future.
Industry research, Company research,
Occupational research
Information gathering attitude is the Key
To proceed with research while gathering information on what kind of industry there is, what kind of company there is in each industry, and what kind of business is being carried out.
It is important not to narrow your view, but to look at various Industries, Companies and Businesses from a broad perspective.
Participation in Internship
Internship participation is important to get to know the company better
It is important to participate from summer to winter, but if you are behind, please look for an opportunity for a spring internship.
By actual experiencing it at a company, you can deepen your Self-analysis, Industry research, and Occupational research.
Entries (Registration)
Registering personal information
You can enter by registering personal information from the recruitment page (or the recruitment agent site) of the company you are interested in. There are Pre-entry and/or Entry.
Company information sessions
It is an important event in Company research
For some companies, attending a company information session is a prerequisite for applying. In addition to briefing sessions for individual companies, there are joint company briefing sessions. It is an event where multiple companies jointly hold a briefing session such as Job Fair. There are also briefings held on your campus. Let's participate actively!
Application (Submission of Entry Sheet / Resume)
Important materials for companies to evaluate applicants
These are important documents for companies to evaluate applicants. It makes sure that you can clearly show your Independence, Feasibility, and Cooperativeness to be used for teamwork activities. Think carefully about the content so that you can describe yourself-PR with a limited number of characters in Entry sheet.
Written test / Interview
If you pass the documents evaluation, proceed to the written examination and interview
If you pass the documents evaluation, it proceeds to the written examination and interview. There are various contents and formats such as SPI test, written test, and aptitude test. Interviews are usually held several times. Personnel department staffs, managers, officers, etc. are interviewers, and there are group interviews style and individual interviews style. It is important to practice speaking aloud so that you can talk about self-PR and aspirations in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. It will be effective if you take for simulated interviews.
“naitei” (内定)
Japanese word which refers to an unofficial/early official job offer
“naitei” is a job offer and is a prior notice that "you will be hired as an employee after graduation of the university”. By receiving the "Notice of Informal Offer" and submitting the "Consent Form", the intentions of both parties will be confirmed. Some companies will hold an informal ceremony in early October and will be given a formal informal notice.
Thank you mail/letter for “naitei”
How to convey your consent / decline is important
Send a well-written and polite email to thank you against “naitei”. If you receive in writing by letter, to send thanks not by email but by letter.