About two important questions in the job interview, “self-promotion” and “reason for applying”
Are you good at job interviews? Do you like them?
Maybe there are not many people who like them. In fact, many people do not like interviews or
hate them. This is the same for Japanese people. I am not good at it either, and
I hate it.
Today, I will advise you on the two basic and
important questions about your interview. This is what I usually advise to Japanese job applicants. It is a really simple point. You can do it easily.
At the interview, the two most important questions are “self-promotion” and
“reason for applying”. These are questions you will always be asked, so be sure to prepare.
1.About “self-promotion”
“Self-promotion” is how your experience and
skills can be applied to the company.
Therefore, at the interview, you may be asked, “What are your experiences and
skills that you can make use of?” This is the content most companies want to hear. Firmly appealing this leads to a job offer.
Some people often wonder what to appeal, but it is very easy and
simple. The bottom line is that you should read the job-opening information carefully. To tell the truth, many people do not read the contents of it in detail.
In the case of mid-career hiring, companies are looking for “ready-to-go.” Companies are looking for people who can be active immediately. Therefore, it is most important to appeal that the “job description” written on the job-opening information is “immediately ready” and
“ready to fight”. For this reason, be prepared to talk about how you can be “ready” with your own experience.
For IT engineers, it is important to specifically appeal
“development content”,
“phase in charge”,
“role”,
“development environment”, etc.
It is also important to appeal the “technology you are studying” and
“the technology you are interested in”.
2.About “reason for applying”
“Reason for applying” is the reason why you want to join the company and
why you want to work in that position. “Why did you choose our company?” “Why not some of our competitors?” “Why us?” are often asked by interviewers.
For these questions, “a positive and
concrete reason” is required. How would you answer?
Actually, it is also important to read the job-opening information carefully. Please read carefully to understand the “business” of the company. Also, make sure to read the company(apostrophe)s website to deepen your understanding of the company.
After that, it is important to explain and
link the “business contents”, “development contents”, etc. of the company you are applying for to your “interest” and
“what you want to do”.
If you are an IT engineer, please emphasize you have “high interest” and
feel “rewarded” regarding “service contents” and
“development contents”.
Many people tend to say, “Because my experience can be put to good use.” However, that is “experience and
skill that can be utilized.” Otherwise, you do not show your motivation enough.
The reason for applying is to talk with enthusiasm about “why I want to join the company” and
“why I want to do that job”. Please try to make a positive impression.
There are ways to do an interview like this. We provide various information for skill improvement for “Foreign IT engineers”.
You can attend it for free! Please join us.
About “WEB interview”
Now, due to the pandemic of coronavirus, WEB interviews have been increasing recently. The content of the interview is the same as the actual interview, but note the following:
- As for face-to-face interviews, dress appropriately for the interview.
- Organize the room and
be careful of the background taken by the camera. - Have interviews in a room where there is no noise around you, and
provide a stable Internet connection. - It is a good idea to prepare not only your resume, but also the text you want to ask and
say outside the shooting range of camera. Do not forget your notes and
pens.