To all international students

Job hunting for employment at Japanese companies

International students who are in the course of job hunting and wish to work at a Japanese company will be subject to largely the same schedules and job hunting regimens as Japanese students. This will mean that you will be job hunting alongside and under the same conditions as students who are Japanese nationals.

Japanese companies tend to focus their recruitment drives on students who have just graduated from universities or graduate schools ("new graduates"). You should also note that the current timing for corporate recruitment drives (company briefings, etc.) and recruitment screening (interviews, etc.) is as follows.

• Recruitment Drives (corporate briefings, etc.): Begin in March for third-year undergraduates and first-year Master's students
• Recruitment Screenings (interviews, etc.): Begin in June for fourth-year undergraduates and second-year Master's students

It is important, however, to always be on the lookout for new information as these schedules may change in the future. In addition, the possibility of knowing if particular companies will proceed as foreseen is preempted by the fact that these are merely government guidelines on recruitment schedules for corporations.

Persons who want to know more about job hunting schedules and how to go about it are requested to refer to the Keio University Placement Guidebook which is distributed at the careers service desks at respective campuses (Mita, Yagami, Shonan Fujisawa).

In the leaflet below, you will find a concise overview of the baseline knowledge with which international students intending to job hunt in Japan should be equipped.

• To all international students seeking employment in Japan (Japanese/English)

The following sites also contain useful information.

• Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) (available in multiple languages)

Please note that not all Japanese companies employ international students. The hurdles faced by international students seeking employment in Japan are by no means negligible and will include their understanding of Japanese culture and cultural norms as well as proficiency in the Japanese language.
It is imperative to begin to collect information as soon as possible, including that on hiring prerequisites and whether or not recruitment is ongoing.

Notes on job hunting

Below is a list of common interview questions. We would advise you to list up your answers to these in advance.

1. Why did you come to Japan? What was your purpose in studying abroad?
2. What did you learn in Japan?
3. Why do you wish to work in Japan?
4. Do you wish to continue working in Japan? When will you be going back to your home country?
5. What kind of work do you wish to engage in? What are your preferred conditions (remuneration)?

What companies are looking for

International students employed by Japanese companies will be expected to both adapt to Japanese society and to take an active role as global players. Be aware that entry levels are accordingly set very high. Please take the following into account when undertaking your activities.

1. That you should be fluent in Japanese in addition to your native tongue.
2. That you should have sufficient understanding of Japanese customs and the temperaments of Japanese people.
3. That you should have a positive intention to immerse yourself in Japan's tradition of employment and business manners, and a cooperative disposition.

Status of Residence for employment or job hunting in Japan after graduation or degree completion

Please confirm at the "Life at Keio" page.

• Life at Keio

Q&A on job hunting by international students

• Measures for employment of foreign nationals (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

On-campus employment seminars

Numerous job seminars on various themes take place on campus in any given year. Seminars with content aimed specifically at international students may also take place at particular campuses. You are encouraged to actively participate if you are considering seeking employment at a Japanese company. Please note that these will be conducted mostly in Japanese (expect for a few English seminars). For details on content and schedules, please refer to "the Job hunting/careers advice sessions" page.

• Job hunting/careers advice sessions

Support/Service Eligibility

The careers service and support desks are aimed at the following persons.

• Full-time undergraduate- and graduate-level degree students who aim to seek employment at Japanese corporations
• Exchange program students who aim to seek employment at Japanese corporations

This system can be availed of from the Fall Semester in the academic year preceding the year of your graduation.
*September 2020 and March 2021 graduates: From AY 2019 Fall Semester till program completion
*September 2021 and March 2022 graduates: From AY 2020 Fall Semester till program completion