Japanese Phrases for Job Interviews
Nail your self-introduction, answer tough questions, and leave a great impression — all in Japanese.
Job interviews in Japan follow their own set of unwritten rules — from the way you knock on the door to the angle of your bow. The Japanese you use matters just as much as your experience. This guide gives you the exact phrases for every stage of the interview.
Self Introduction
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Honjitsu wa ojikan wo itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu.
Thank you for taking the time to see me today.
○○と申します。よろしくお願いいたします。
○○ to moushimasu. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
My name is ○○. Thank you for this opportunity.
前職では○○の業務を担当しておりました。
Zenshoku dewa ○○ no gyoumu wo tantou shite orimashita.
In my previous role, I was in charge of ○○.
御社の○○に強く惹かれて、応募いたしました。
Onsha no ○○ ni tsuyoku hikarete, oubo itashimashita.
I was strongly drawn to your company's ○○, which is why I applied.
日本語はまだ勉強中ですが、業務には問題ないレベルです。
Nihongo wa mada benkyouchuu desu ga, gyoumu ni wa mondai nai reberu desu.
I'm still studying Japanese, but my level is sufficient for work.
About Experience
前の会社では3年間エンジニアとして働いていました。
Mae no kaisha dewa sannenkan enjinia to shite hataraite imashita.
I worked as an engineer for 3 years at my previous company.
チームリーダーとして5人のメンバーを管理していました。
Chiimu riidaa to shite gonin no menbaa wo kanri shite imashita.
I managed a team of 5 people as team leader.
その経験を活かして、御社に貢献したいと考えています。
Sono keiken wo ikashite, onsha ni kouken shitai to kangaete imasu.
I'd like to leverage that experience to contribute to your company.
困難なプロジェクトでしたが、期限内に完了しました。
Konnan na purojekuto deshita ga, kigennai ni kanryou shimashita.
It was a tough project, but we completed it on schedule.
Asking Questions
入社後の研修制度について教えていただけますか？
Nyuushago no kenshuu seido ni tsuite oshiete itadakemasu ka?
Could you tell me about the training program after joining?
配属先はどのように決まりますか？
Haizokusaki wa dono you ni kimarimasu ka?
How is the department assignment decided?
チームの雰囲気はどんな感じですか？
Chiimu no funiki wa donna kanji desu ka?
What's the team atmosphere like?
御社で活躍している方の共通点はありますか？
Onsha de katsuyaku shite iru kata no kyoutsuuten wa arimasu ka?
What do successful employees at your company have in common?
After the Interview
本日は貴重なお時間をいただき、ありがとうございました。
Honjitsu wa kichou na ojikan wo itadaki, arigatou gozaimashita.
Thank you for the valuable time today.
御社で働けることを楽しみにしております。
Onsha de hatarakeru koto wo tanoshimi ni shite orimasu.
I look forward to the possibility of working at your company.
結果はいつ頃ご連絡いただけますか？
Kekka wa itsu goro gorenraku itadakemasu ka?
When can I expect to hear back about the result?
何卒よろしくお願いいたします。
Nanitozo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
I sincerely appreciate your consideration.
Cultural Tips
- Arrive at the building 10 minutes early, but check in at reception exactly 5 minutes before. Being too early is almost as bad as being late — it suggests you can't manage your time.
- Wear a plain dark suit (black, navy, or charcoal) with a white shirt. Even in casual tech companies, interviews in Japan default to formal attire unless explicitly told otherwise.
- Bow at a 30-degree angle when greeting the interviewer and at a 45-degree angle when saying thank you at the end. Knock on the door three times, wait for a response, then enter saying "失礼いたします" (shitsurei itashimasu).
FAQ
Do I need perfect Japanese for a job interview in Japan?
It depends on the role. For positions at foreign companies or in IT, conversational Japanese (N3-N2 level) is often enough. For Japanese corporations, N2 or higher is typically expected. Either way, memorizing key interview phrases shows effort — use SayLy to practice them beforehand.
What are common interview questions in Japan?
Expect "自己紹介をお願いします" (please introduce yourself), "志望動機を教えてください" (why this company), and "あなたの強みと弱みは?" (your strengths and weaknesses). Japanese interviews also often include questions about how you handle teamwork and pressure.
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