Japan is an economically developed country with a rich cultural history, and this makes it one of the desired destinations for many professionals all over the world, including those living in the UK. Application to Japanese jobs might be little different, especially in writing a curriculum vitae, when compared to a Western country application. Japanese employers place a very strong emphasis on certain values, and there are a number of cultural nuances that British applicants need to be aware of. The following article shall outline what people from Britain should avoid putting into their CVs when applying in Japan and provide some official statistics as to how many Brits currently work in the country.
Avoid Overly Personal Information
While it is common to put personal information on a CV in the UK, like age and marital status, even attaching a photo, there are some areas where personal information is not required when applying in Japan. The Japanese companies would be more interested in your professionalism rather than personal statements about your life.
While Japanese rirekisho resumes often contain information such as age and a photograph, which is quite standard in Japan, many multinational companies operating in Japan have also westernised this approach and do not require such information. This should of course always be checked for the particular company involved with your application.
Don’t Overstate Achievements
While the UK, along with most other Western countries, embraces and promotes self-marketing, Japanese companies generally frown upon overt boasting or exaggeration. Humility is a crucial virtue in Japan, and individuals who come across as boastful may create a poor impression on potential employers. As you present a list of your achievements and accomplishments, keep the tone factual without using superlatives or embellishments.
Instead, it should be, “I am the best project manager in my team”; focus on very specific, measurable results: “Successfully managed a project that ensured revenue increase by 15%.” In that way, you will be able to emphasise your abilities and not appear arrogant.
Avoid Long and Wordy Descriptions
Japanese employers are used to receiving very short and to-the-point CVs, quite different from the comprehensive resumes that are commonly sent out in the UK. If applying for a job in Japan, UK citizens will need to refrain from wordy descriptions regarding job responsibilities and focus on stipulating the important skills and achievements of previous posts concisely and clearly. Japanese rirekisho usually runs to one or two pages in length and is expected to be very concise-so, try to resist the temptation to put in too much detail.
Whereas in the UK you might elaborate on every job you have had with a paragraph or two, it works better in Japan to use bullet points or short sentences that are clear in stating your most relevant skills. Also, this means avoiding flowery language, jargon, and overcomplicated phrasing, which detract from professionalism in your CV.
Avoid Focusing on Hobbies and Interests
In the UK, for example, many people include a section in their CV about their hobbies and the things that they enjoy doing. This says something about the individual and assists employers in judging whether they could “fit in” with the company culture. In Japan, this is not usually relevant.
Though that’s important, Japanese employers are more interested in your professional qualifications and how well you fit their company’s needs. Therefore, if not asked otherwise, it will be better not to include a detailed hobby and interest section in your CV. Anything that you mention about your hobby should be utterly job-relevant, like mentioning leadership roles in clubs or even volunteering in some type of related sector.
Avoid Casual Language
Japanese CVs are formal; therefore, you should try not to use informal or casual language, which you might get away with in the UK. Even when the language used is English-especially in multinational companies-your tone should always be polite and professional. Pay close attention to the use of language; this means excluding slang, contractions of words, or casual phrases, as they could be translated into Japanese business jargon.
Similarly, if one is applying for a job in Japan that requires Japanese, then one’s Japanese should be formal and business appropriate. Using Japanese that is too casual,, or inserting English into Japanese words inappropriately can give a similarly poor impression to the employers.
Avoid Highlighting Individual Successes Instead of Team Contributions
The Japanese working culture focuses on teamwork and cooperation, which contrasts with the UK emphasis on individual achievements. While writing your CV, avoid too much individual success. Emphasise how you can work as a part of a team. Japanese employers want to see that you are capable of cooperating with others in view of the overall success of the company.
For example, instead of “I led the project to success”, it would be more appropriate to say, “I contributed to the success of the team’s project”. Obviously, this is just a tiny word change but this can bring a big difference to your CV for Japanese employers.
British Citizens Working in Japan: Official Statistics
According to data provided by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs of latest available, some 17,000 British citizens reside and work in Japan, many in the finance sector, teaching of the English language and education, technology, and business management. Others have specialised jobs with internationally operating companies in Japan, especially in major Japanese cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama.
In addition, the number of British working in Japan has been on the increase over recent years, with strong economic ties between the two nations and an increasing interest by Japan in foreign talent, especially in the technology and innovation sectors. For those seeking work in Japan, networking through expatriate communities and professional organisations will provide valuable contacts and support-most notably, the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Making Your CV Unique
When applying for jobs in Japan as a citizen of Britain, one must be detailed with cultural differences between them and hiring. Your CV will be appealing to Japanese employers if you do not include unnecessary personal details, avoid self-promotion, and emphasise working as part of a team. Also, one can avoid stating hobbies and interests for CV if that is not asked for, remembering the language has to be formal and professional.
Remember, professionalism and modesty are highly regarded in Japan, but they also want competent and flexible employees. Let your key skills, flexibility, and ability to fit into the corporate culture be reflected in your CV. Such a profile will guarantee you more success in the competitive job market of Japan.
With full knowledge and proper manipulation of these key elements, British nationals will most likely find their desirable jobs within Japan, increasing the number of UK nationals contributing to the vibrant economy of Japan.
