Japanese Job Interview -- (3) Precautions and preparation when speaking

(3) Precautions and preparation when speaking

When you answer the question, be sure to answer straight. A roundabout explanation will irritate the listener. To that end, speak the conclusion first. Also, check the company thoroughly before the interview. By researching in advance what kind of mission they have and what kind of business strategy they are currently taking, you will be able to ask appropriate questions. It is also important to know about the industry the company belongs to. Think about what kind of work they want you to do, what kind of performance they expect from you or, more simply, how you can become a force in the company. For example, if they are looking for a person who does a manual work quickly, make sure the interviewer eventually has an image that you can do it.

■Study the company and its industry

You should study the industry and the company well before the interview. The information available online is enough. Remember as much industry-specific language as possible. Studying ahead of time and being knowledgeable can help you demonstrate your motivation.

■Tell the conclusion first

When most Japanese talk, its conclusion comes at the end, but it is not recommendable at the interview. Especially when non-Japanese tries to imitate that way, it is more likely to be understood wrongly. It's easier for interviewers to understand when they hear that you should first tell the conclusion and then explain why.

■Make your story compelling

It has to be a skill related to the job, but it's good to say "I can do..." at the interview. But they might have a question, “Really?” So, you should tell what qualifications you have, but it's also persuasive to say "I can do this and that because I have experienced this and that" with specific episodes about your past work.

■Understand the intent of the question

For example, if an interviewer asks you, "Have you ever failed?" they want to hear "How did you overcome that failure?" not that "What troubles have occurred in the past?" So instead of simply answering a question, be aware of what their intention of the question is. Japanese like humble people. Everyone has failed at work big or small. If you can humbly accept the failure and give a clear answer to how you overcame it, you will receive a pretty positive evaluation.U