Interview Etiquette in Japan
To ace a job interview in Japan, there are several that will be different from job interviews in your home country that you should be aware of.
During an interview, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow.
1. Knock three times, wait for an answer and enter.
2. Open door, bow and say, 「失礼いたします」(shitsureiitashimasu).
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5. After permission is give, be sure to sit appropriately.
For a more detailed guide on interview etiquette, check out this blog post: Tokyo From the Inside blog |
Appropriate job-hunting attire for men and women
Item |
Men |
Women |
Hair Style
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No long hair. Be careful not to have untidy hair or dandruff.
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If hair is long, bind it with an elastic band or hair pin. Make sure hair is tidy.
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Face
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Clean shaven. Extremely thin eyebrows are not preferred. Pay attention to teeth and breath.
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No heavy makeup. Pay attention to teeth and breath.
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Glasses
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Avoid colorful and loud frames.
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Avoid colorful and loud frames.
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Cologne/perfume
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Don’t wear cologne.
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No strong perfumes.
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Nails
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Trim nails short and remove any dirt.
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No long nails. No flashy nail polish or art.
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Shirt
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White is the basic color. Shirt should fit around collar and sleeves. Make sure undershirt cannot be seen through. Should be clean.
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White is the basic color. A shirt in a solid, pale color is also ok. No primary colors or patterns. Make sure your shirt is not cut too low. Should be clean.
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Accessories
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No accessories (watches are ok, see below).
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Simple ear piercings are ok. No rings.
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Tie
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No flashy ties
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Do not wear a tie
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Suit
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Dark blue, gray, or black suits. Solid or finely striped suit. Wear your tie with a single knot.
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Solid, dark blue, gray, or black suits. Single suit with two or three buttons. No double suit.
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Trousers/ Skirt
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Standard width and single fold hems. Iron them to make creases. Belt and shoes should match.
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Skirt must allow knees to be covered when standing. Trousers gives you an active image. Trousers must be single-fold hems. Iron them to make creases.
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Shoes
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Simple black shoes. Make sure they are polished.
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Simple, polished black shoes. Heels should be three to five centimeters.
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Pantyhose
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N/A
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Plain with no patterns. Similar to your skin tone.
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Socks
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Must be the same color as your suit, or dark blue or black.
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N/A
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Watches
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No flashy watches. Don’t use your phone to check the time.
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No flashy watches. Don’t use your phone to check the time.
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Briefcase/Bag
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Black or brown briefcase. Avoid backpacks or casual bags.
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Black or brown briefcase. Avoid backbacks or casual bags.
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