Unlocking the Three Secrets: Spotting the Unique Vibes of Japanese Resumes

In the Reiwa era, the format of resumes, a few essential documents that have always been necessary at the entrance of the professional relationship has persisted in Japanese society, spanning the Showa and Heisei eras with little change.

Today, I will provide advice on how to prepare your resume as you come to our society and decide to apply for a job in a Japanese company.

Based on the resumes I and the people I know have submitted to Japanese companies, I can tell you that

The more you invest in the following three points, the farther your resume will take you in the interview process.

Let me explain what I mean.

1. Your Face Photo

In Japan, it is common to attach a photo to a resume. Japanese resumes also have sections to include age and gender.

When taking a face photo, please pay attention to the following points:

Hairstyle

• You fail: Dyed hair has grown too much, resulting in uneven color.
• You pass: Consider touching up the dye beforehand or finding ways to discreetly style it, such as tying it up. Be cautious if the uneven color is noticeable due to not dyeing for a while. To be prepared for future interviews, touch up the grown-out parts in advance. If time is limited, simply tying it back can make it less noticeable.
• You fail: Overly sharp and spiky hair.
• You pass: Opt for a hairstyle that is well-maintained with an appropriate amount of wax. If you put too much effort into styling and end up with hair standing too sharply, it may become excessively spiky. Aim for a natural look by using a moderate amount of wax.

Facial Expression

• You fail: Expressionless face.
• You pass: Keep your mouth closed and smile lightly. The basic expression is a smile that shows teeth to a minimal extent. Avoid bursting into laughter. Be conscious of a natural smile. Confirm in front of a mirror how much you should smile.
• You fail: Looking down or condescending gaze.
• You pass: Gently tuck in your chin. If your chin is raised, it gives an impression of looking down on others, and if it’s lowered too much, it may seem like a condescending look. Keep your face straight, look lightly straight ahead, and let the corners of your mouth rise slightly in a gentle smile.

Posture

• You fail: Hunched back.
• You pass: Straighten your spine and stand tall. People who usually have a hunched back may inadvertently round their back even when they think they are standing straight. Imagine opening both shoulders and exaggerate a bit to straighten your spine.
• You fail: Raised shoulders.
• You pass: Check in the mirror if your shoulders are straight. Due to body habits, one shoulder may be higher than the other. It can be challenging to adjust by yourself, so if there’s a photographer present, follow their instructions.

Seek advice from individuals with job hunting experience about photo shooting. Here are some suggestions:

• “Before taking a photo, relax your expression by pronouncing ‘a,’ ‘i,’ ‘u,’ ‘e,’ ‘o.’ This naturally helps you smile during the shoot.”
• “By placing a white handkerchief on your knees, you can create a reflector effect to eliminate shadows under your eyes and cheekbones.”
• “Covering under-eye circles with liquid foundation or concealer enhances your impression and receives positive evaluations.”

For those of you thinking of cutting corners on your profile photo, beware. Here’s some advice straight from the voice of HR:

• “The profile photo was heavily edited, and during the interview, I couldn’t tell if it was the same person as in the resume.”
• “We generally prefer professional passport-style photos. While selfies are acceptable if they maintain a professional appearance, using photo booth prints or cropped pictures from your past is a big no-no.”
• “The job description for the application was in the service industry (customer service), but the photo showed the applicant with disheveled hair. Although they appeared well-groomed during the actual interview, using that photo was a red flag.”

It’s indeed a simple ask, isn’t it?

Now that your profile photo has passed, let’s proceed to the next challenge.

2. Your Handwriting

While handwritten resumes have become less common in job change activities, they are still prevalent among new graduates in Japan.

Although some companies in Japan accept printed resumes, there are still many new graduates who choose to submit handwritten resumes because some individuals consider it the norm.

Companies may expect handwritten submissions for various reasons.

For instance, the official resume format provided by universities is often distributed in paper form to students rather than in digital format.

Additionally, there is a psychological aspect, where handwritten resumes are perceived as more genuine, as creating a handwritten document suggests a personal touch and dedication. It’s like how you are more likely to get a boy/girl with a handwritten love letter than a LINE text message.

When handwriting a resume, it’s essential to pay attention to the following points:

Corrections

• When creating a handwritten resume, there is a possibility of making mistakes such as typos or misspellings.
• However, using a whiter to make corrections is a big no-no! A resume is not just about conveying information; its credibility as an official document is crucial. Using correction tape can cast doubt on the authenticity of the document, potentially leaving a negative impression.
• So, what should you do if you make a mistake? The answer is simple: rewrite it from the beginning. Even if you only need to correct a single part, it’s advisable to rewrite the entire section.

Text Size

• There are no strict rules for the font size when filling out a resume, but it’s essential to consider the overall balance.
• If the text is too small or too large, it can create an unfavorable impression as it becomes difficult to read.
• Be conscious of writing the text slightly larger overall to maintain readability. If you cram too much information into a section with small font size, it increases the difficulty of reading, and even if you have compelling content, it may not effectively come across.

Stains

• While writing a resume, it’s common to accidentally create ink smudges, adhesive marks from attaching photos, wrinkles, and other forms of dirt.
• Have you ever thought that it’s too much trouble to rewrite the resume in such situations? However, the HR who receive that resume might form negative impressions about you, thinking of you as someone lacking business etiquette, being careless, or avoiding challenges. There’s a risk that they won’t take the time to thoroughly review the resume you’ve worked hard to write because of a stain.
• Since the resume is a crucial document submitted to a company, it’s important to create it meticulously and ensure it is clean.

Envelope

• Sometimes, the prepared envelope may be too small, necessitating the folding of the resume to fit.
• However, having too many folds can make the appearance unappealing and may cause the text to overlap, making it difficult to read. This might lead the HR to think that you are someone who “doesn’t consider the reader” or “lacks consideration.”
• To avoid this, prepare an envelope of size “角型2号” (standard size 2 in Japan), and insert the unfolded resume that has been folded in half (A4 or B5 size) to ensure a clean presentation without unnecessary folds.

Everything is still okay, right?

Okay, let’s proceed to the final hurdle.

3. Your Hobbies and Special Skills

Japanese resumes often include sections for listing hobbies and special skills.

Hiring managers use the hobbies and special skills section to assess whether the applicant’s personality aligns with the company’s culture.

Additionally, discussing the contents of the hobbies and special skills section during an interview can help ease tension and create a conversational atmosphere.

Depending on the content, this section can serve as an additional positive factor for advancing from the document screening to the interview stage.

Thus, it’s important to use this section effectively by incorporating content that makes the hiring manager interested and eager to meet you in person.

When filling out the Hobbies and Special Skills section, it’s important to consider the following points:

• Compatibility with personality and company culture: Does the content reflect your personality and align with the company’s culture?
• Usability as a conversational topic to ease tension during interviews: Can the content be effectively utilized as a conversation starter to alleviate your nervousness during interviews?
• Usability for showcasing high motivation for employment: Can the information be used to effectively showcase your high motivation for the job?

For example, the following entry in the Hobbies and Special Skills section would leave a highly favorable impression on the employer:

You pass:

• “Soccer (I have been playing since elementary school and continue to be a member of a local futsal team as an adult).”
• HR Evaluation: Experience in sports is highly valued by hiring managers. It is likely to contribute to positive evaluations related to physical fitness, proactiveness, and teamwork. Emphasizing the longevity of your involvement may also lead to recognition of your perseverance. ”

You pass:

• “Traveling (I have visited 30 prefectures so far).”
• HR Evaluation: This hobby suggests an energetic and curious personality. If you mention traveling with colleagues or friends, it could convey your ability to get along cooperatively with others. On the other hand, if you prefer solo trips, it might give the impression of someone who can make decisions and take action independently. If you create a travel itinerary and keep a travel diary, it could also be perceived as having good information-gathering skills and a well-planned approach.

You pass:

• “Barbecue (I enjoy it with several friends. I often take on the role of the chef, and the curry I make on-site has been highly praised.).”
• HR Evaluation: This hobby suggests a personality that has many friends and can build positive interpersonal relationships, giving off an active impression.

On the other hand, there are hobbies and skills that, while appropriate as business etiquette, may not be highly recommended to show on your resume.

For instance, activities involving gambling or betting are often associated with financial troubles, leading many hiring managers to have a negative perception. Unless these activities are directly relevant to the company’s business, it’s advisable to avoid mentioning gambling activities like horse racing or pachinko. If you feel compelled to include them, it’s crucial to earnestly explain the reason behind having them as hobbies or skills.

Additionally, it’s generally considered prudent not to include information related to politics or religion. Hobbies or skills such as impersonations, comedy routines, or dancing might be mentioned, but be prepared for the possibility of being asked to demonstrate them during an interview, so include them with that expectation in mind.

You fail:

• “My hobby is drinking alcohol (I love all kinds of alcohol and can drink unlimited amounts. I drink alcohol at home or at gatherings six days a week for a change of mood).”
• HR Evaluation: While this may be viewed positively in companies associated with the alcohol industry or those with frequent drinking events, there are concerns about its impact on work and health. Instead of emphasizing the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, highlighting knowledge about different types of alcohol and communication skills developed through socializing might present a more favorable impression.

Congratulations!

You have successfully cleared the final hurdle.

Now, carefully place your completed resume into a standard size 2 envelope and go submit it!

Hope you are still motivated to apply for Japanese corporations…?