How to Fill-up a Japanese Resume (CV)

Objectives:

The goal is to make it easier to understand especially if you are applying for a Japanese company or the interviewer is a Japanese;
Not only that, you are also appealing to the company or to the consultant that you know how to adapt the Japanese style of working.

１．Date – is the date when you write your resume. Avoid writing the months in words but in numbers (example: 4月 instead of April)

２．Picture – be sure to use a formal picture with white or plain background. Also, to make yourself be recognized when you attend the interview, attach a picture that was taken in the last 6 months.

TIP: To get the perfect picture size and background, be sure to use the booths that can be found on the streets of business districts or at most major train and subway stations.

３．Personal information – this is one of the most important parts of the resume. Be sure to double check the contents for errors.

Name – first, write your name in English or as you write it in your native language and then on top, write the Hiragana equivalent
Birthdate – always start with the year, then month, and lastly the day
Age and Sex – don’t forget to put in your age and circle your sex (男 for males and 女 for females)
Address – should follow the Japanese-style meaning the prefecture to the city until the room number
Telephone number and Mobile number – you can fill this up if you have both numbers but in most cases, candidates can only fill-up the 携帯番号/PHS part
FAX and Email Address – same with above, just fill-up the part that you have. Note that if you are applying for a full-time job, most probably consultants and companies will contact you thru email.
Contact Information – if the information is the same as the address and numbers as above, you don’t have to fill this up

４．Gakureki（学歴）or your academic background and Shokureki（職歴）or work experience – this is the most crucial in your application either you are applying for part-time or full-time. Recruiters and companies would probably want to see something in your gakureki and shokureki that is related with the job that you are currently applying.

1. Gakureki – unlike in the Philippines or in other countries, the order to be followed in a Japanese resume should be at least from high school until the most recent college degree or graduate studies.

Also, if you have an entry for specialized college or university, specifically write the college name and your course name in the following order: Usually you write not only the year you entered but also the year you graduated–thus making two entries for each school.

年　月	学　歴
2010 June	〇〇University College of Arts & Letters AB Communication (Entry)
2014 March	〇〇University College of Arts & Letters AB Communication (Graduated)
2014 April	〇〇Language School Nihongo Language Student (Entry)
2015 March	〇〇Language School Nihongo Language Student (Graduated)

Shokureki – as with the gakureki, you should always start with the oldest company and position that you have held until you reach to your latest company and position.

Unlike most resumes in the Philippines, you don’t need to write the specific duties and responsibilities of all your previous jobs. You just have to specify what division you belonged to while employed in a specific company so the recruiter or company you are applying has a little knowledge about your role in that company.

年　月	職　歴
2015 April	〇〇Travel & Tours Corporate Sales (Entry)
2017 March	〇〇Travel & Tours Corporate Sales (Resigned)
2017 April	〇〇Company Limited International Sales (Currently Employed)

５．Menkyo（免許）or license; Shikaku（資格）or qualifications and certificates – write any accomplishments that you have achieved over the past years such as licenses, qualifications, and certificates (example: driver’s license, JLPT result, TOEIC exam score)

TIP: Be sure to highlight any license or certificates that are connected with the position you are applying. (Example: If you are applying to be an English teacher, write here any teaching certifications you have earned)

年　月	免　許・資　格
2015 April	TOEIC 900 points
2016 May	Driver’s License (Japan)

６．Other Information – this part is mainly to know more about the candidate aside from his academic and professional background. This includes the following:

1. 1. 1. Japanese Level – Select one. None / Beginner / Conversational Japanese / Business Japanese / Native speaker.
    2. Visa type– Select your current status.
    3. Industries Interested – feel free to write anything as long as it will fit the space.
    4. Hobby – feel free to write anything as long as it will fit the space.
  2. Japanese Level (a) Visa Type (b)
    
    Industries Interested (c) Hobby (d)
    
    ７．Commute and other details – this is the last part and includes the following:
1. 1. Nearest station（最寄り駅）- this is crucial to determine especially for those applying for part-time. The consultant can recommend a job that is near the station of the candidate.
  2. Commute time（通勤時間）- If you already know the workplace, you can write here the number of minutes from your house to workplace (door-to-door)
  3. Dependents（扶養家族）- Besides your wife, write here the number of people that you are supporting.
  4. Marital status（配偶者）- circle 有 for married and 無 for single
  5. Duty to support wife/husband（配偶者の扶養義務）circle 有 if you are obliged to support your partner and 無 if you are both working.

　Japanese Resume (Sample PDF)

　Japanese Resume (Blank Copy)

Japanese Level (a)	Visa Type (b)
Industries Interested (c)	Hobby (d)