Japan Job Interview Etiquette: Recruit Suit, Bowing, Keigo and 5 Questions

This post is for HSC students weighing up study abroad, and for parents, who want to know what job hunting in Japan really looks like after graduation. I've lived in Japan and watched many Bangladeshi students prepare for interviews. These questions come straight from those conversations.

The questions students ask most about Japanese interviews

Can I really get a job in Japan after studying there?

Yes, but it won't happen on its own. Most firms want around JLPT N2, some N1, while English-heavy IT and engineering companies may ask for less. If you're unsure which study route fits, read the language school vs university guide. For anyone searching for study abroad on a budget, Japan stands out because you can plan a work route after graduating. Tuition is roughly ¥500,000–800,000 a year, which is approximate, so confirm before applying.

What is a recruit suit, and why does everyone wear black?

The recruit suit (リクルートスーツ) is the standard job-hunting outfit: black or dark navy suit, white shirt, plain black leather shoes. Women wear a skirt or trousers with hair tied neatly. This isn't the place to stand out. Stores like AOKI or Aoyama sell full sets from about ¥20,000–30,000, though prices shift. Interviewers really do notice scuffed shoes.

What are the bowing rules in a Japanese interview?

Remember three levels. A light bow of about 15° as you enter, 30° when you introduce yourself, and 45° when you thank them at the end. Keep your back straight, hands at your sides (women may rest them in front), and speak first, then bow, rather than doing both at once. Practise ten times in front of a mirror and the stiffness fades.

Do I need to master keigo?

You don't need all of it, but you need the core. Use humble forms for your own actions (申します, いたします) and honorific forms for theirs (いらっしゃる, おっしゃる). Clean desu/masu is a fine start. The classic error is using respectful words about yourself. I tell students to understand ten sentences, not just memorise them.

How do I build a jiko PR (自己PR)?

Pick one strength and prove it with one real example, in about a minute. Say "I trained new staff at my part-time job over six months," not a list of adjectives. Finish by linking it to the company. Write it out, read it aloud and time it.

What are the 5 questions I should prepare?

1. 自己紹介をお願いします (Introduce yourself)
2. 志望動機は何ですか (Why our company?)
3. 学生時代に力を入れたことは (What did you focus on as a student?)
4. 長所と短所 (Strengths and weaknesses)
5. なぜ日本で働きたいのですか (Why work in Japan, and for how long?)

The fifth is almost guaranteed for foreigners. Students without a long-term plan often freeze.

What about visas, and do I need IELTS?

The routes from student visa to work visa differ, so read this comparison. Many language schools accept students for study abroad without IELTS, but then your Japanese level is your main asset. Start with the study in Japan after HSC guide, and check the scholarships page to cut costs. No scholarship is guaranteed.

When should I start preparing?

Usually mid third year of university, about a year before graduation. One caution: many Bangladeshi students get so absorbed in part-time work that their Japanese stalls, and interviews then become hard. Respect the 28-hour weekly limit, and protect study time too.

I counsel students at the Inochi Global Education Institute office on Nobogram Road, Muslim Para, Barishal. If you have questions about the road to Japan, our visa and COE support is there, and we'll give you honest answers.