新卒応援ハローワークの担当者から見た留学生の就職活動
How International Students’ Job Hunting Is Seen by a Staff Member of the New Graduate Support Hello Work
Interview Date: December 23, 2020 (Wednesday)
We interviewed a staff member from Chiba New Graduate Support Hello Work. Based on their experience supporting many international students, they shared what is important in Japanese job hunting.
Q.まず初めに千葉新卒応援ハローワークのお仕事について教えて下さい。 First, please tell us about the work of Chiba New Graduate Support Hello Work.
Chiba New Graduate Support Hello Work supports not only international students but also university students, vocational school students, junior college students, high school students, and sometimes even junior high school students. We check application documents, practice interviews, and give advice about job hunting in general. At our office, we mainly respond to people who come to the counter and provide consultation.
Q.千葉大学の学生からはどのような相談を受けることが多いのでしょうか。 What kinds of questions do you often receive from Chiba University students?
Even if students have passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1, writing resumes and understanding interview manners are very different from their home countries. So many students come for practice and document checking.
Q.千葉大学の学生が就職に強い職種や業界はありますか。 Are there any job types or industries where Chiba University students are strong?
In the case of Chiba University students, many who come for consultation are from the Faculty of Engineering. They often look for technical jobs that use their specialization. Many go into chemistry or technical fields, and some join large companies.
Q.日本と諸外国の就職活動の違いについてはどのように認識されていますか。 How do you see the differences between job hunting in Japan and in other countries?
I think the way of self-expression is very different. In many countries, it is normal to directly promote yourself. However, in Japan, modesty, politeness, and careful language are important. Many international students are not used to this style. Also, Japanese job hunting requires deep self-analysis. Because of the language barrier, this can feel even more difficult for international students. As a result, they sometimes cannot meet Japanese companies’ expectations in entry sheets or interviews.
Therefore, when supporting international students, we focus on helping them understand what Japanese companies expect and support them in improving their attitude and self-analysis. Personally, I think their individuality is wonderful and should be respected more.
Q.面接の際に気をつけるべきことはありますか。 Is there anything international students should be careful about in interviews?
As I mentioned earlier, it is important to show some modesty and also show that you can work well with Japanese people. For example, in Japanese interviews, students knock on the door before entering the room and say, "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu." This may be a uniquely Japanese style, but we ask international students to follow it. By doing this, companies may feel that the student can work well with Japanese colleagues.
Q. 謙虚な姿勢など、日本独自のやり方を留学生の方に理解してもらうために、どのようなアプローチをしていますか。 How do you help international students understand these uniquely Japanese styles, such as modesty?
Basically, if we explain, they understand. For example, we say, “During your life in Japan, were there times when politeness and proper language were important? Did you have experiences where behaving politely helped you?” Many students agree when we explain it like this. Also, during interview practice, we give specific advice, such as, “Let’s change the way you say this.”
〈ご協力してくださったハローワーク〉 Hello Work That Cooperated
厚生労働省千葉労働局 新卒応援ハローワーク
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Chiba Labour Bureau
New Graduate Support Hello Work
https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/chiba-roudoukyoku/roudoukyoku/gyoumu_naiyou/antei/ShinsotsuHW.html