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Job Applications in Japan, the UK, and other Countries

2022.05.09

I hate applying for jobs. Like many countries around the world, there is a culture of changing jobs on a regular basis in my home country of the UK, but I still do not enjoy it. The whole process of selling your best features to companies does not feel particularly modest. And the judgment process of job interviews feels even worse. A panel of three or more people judging your appearance and every response to their questions is a little scary for everyone. There is also only so much preparation you can do. You can research the company and prepare yourself for the obvious questions, but there are often unexpected questions and surprises.

 

This is the same in Japan to some extent. Many Japanese companies will have a first interview at a job event and then a series of interviews afterwards, all within the hiring season. However, the graduate hiring season is more organized in Japan, usually being held at one time of the year as specified by the government. This is different from many other countries where hiring events are organized at a more local level. Outside Japan, companies may tour around several universities over a series of months holding many events to attract potential employees. Second and third interviews may then be held up until the time when the student graduates or afterwards. In Japan, most companies would like to secure graduates even before they enter their final year, but the labour shortages in Japan are causing this practice to change. Many companies now fail to hire as many full-time permanent workers as they would like and so are hiring graduates and other workers outside of the traditional student job-hunting season.

 

Another change that has happened because of Covid is the move from paper applications to online applications. Many large corporations now process all applications online. Resumes submitted online can be screened using Artificial Intelligence to save time and money. Applicants can upload their application documents without having to print out and post them. This enables the company to attract more applicants and saves applicants time and money as well. It also means it is cheaper and easier for applicants to apply to multiple companies in the search for their ideal job. This change can also be seen in Japan with some of the larger corporations. It may be a matter of time before paper applications are a thing of the past.

 

These changes do not make the job application process any less scary though. There will always be job interviews, even if these are done online and not face-to-face. The best advice is to just try and relax. Research the job before the interview, make some possible interview questions, and practice answering them. On the day, take your time and answer their questions slowly and carefully. Finally, remember that there are always more chances out there. Your job should fit you well.

 

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki @Pexels.com

 

 

Q1 What does the author think about interviews?

 

Q2 How is the hiring period in Japan changing?

 

Q3 How are companies using Artificial Intelligence with Job applications?

 

 

Scroll down for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1 The author finds job interviews scary.

A2 More companies are hiring outside of the official “hiring season”.

A3 Companies are using AI to filter job applications.

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