# Japanese Job Interview Phrases: Useful Phrases and QA Guide for 2026
> Prepare for your Japanese job interview with phrases for business and formal conversations. Learn proper keigo, self-introductions, and common questions.
**URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-job-interview-phrases
**Last Updated:** 2026-03-03
**Tags:** vocabulary, culture, phrases
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So you've landed a job interview in Japan. Congrats! Now comes the nerve-wracking part: actually doing the interview [in Japanese](https://migaku.com/learn-japanese). Even if you've been studying the language for a while, job interviews require a whole different level of formality and specific [vocabulary](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/how-to-learn-japanese-vocabulary) that you probably haven't practiced much. Let's break down exactly what you need to know to sound professional and prepared.👔

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## Understanding the formality level for a job interview
Here's the thing about Japanese job interviews: they operate on a completely different level of politeness than everyday conversation. 

You'll need to use <typo lang="ja" syntax="敬語[けいご;h]"></typo> (keigo), which is the honorific language system in Japanese. There are actually three types of keigo, but for interviews, you'll mainly use <typo lang="ja" syntax="丁寧語[ていねいご;h]"></typo> (polite language) and <typo lang="ja" syntax="謙譲語[けんじょうご;h]"></typo> (humble language).

Every sentence you say will end with <typo lang="ja" syntax="です[です;h]"></typo> (desu) or <typo lang="ja" syntax="ます[ます;h]"></typo> (masu) forms. You'll hear people say "just use desu and masu forms" like it's simple, but the tricky part is also using humble verbs when talking about yourself and honorific verbs when talking about the company or interviewer. Getting this wrong won't necessarily kill your chances, but getting it right shows you understand Japanese business culture.

The etiquette extends beyond just language too. You'll bow when entering, sit only when told to, and maintain a respectful posture throughout. But we're focusing on the phrases here, so let's get into the actual words you'll need.

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## Essential greetings and opening phrases
When you first enter the interview room, you'll need to make a strong first impression. 

Start with a proper greeting and self-introduction.
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="本日[ほんじつ;h]はお 時間[じかん;h]をいただき、ありがとうございます。"></typo><br>*[Thank you for taking](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/congratulations-in-japanese) the time to meet with me today.*

This phrase uses <typo lang="ja" syntax="いただき[いただき;h]"></typo> (itadaki), which is the humble form of "to receive." You're showing respect by humbling yourself right from the start.

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="失礼[しつれい;h]します。"></typo><br>*Pardon my intrusion.*

Say this when entering the room and again when sitting down. It's basically acknowledging that you're entering someone else's space.

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## How to introduce yourself in a Japanese job interview
The self-introduction, or <typo lang="ja" syntax="自己紹介[じこしょうかい;h]"></typo> (jiko shoukai), is probably the most important part of any job interview in Japan. You'll almost always be asked to introduce yourself first thing. Here's a solid template:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="初[はじ;a]めまして、名前[なまえ;h]と 申[もう;a]します。"></typo><br>*Nice to meet you, my name is (name).*

Notice you're using <typo lang="ja" syntax="申[もう;a] します[;h]"></typo> (moushimasu) instead of <typo lang="ja" syntax="言[い;a] います[;h]"></typo> (iimasu). That's the humble form of "to say" or "to be called." Always use this when introducing yourself in formal situations.

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="(大学名[だいがくめい;h]) を 卒業[そつぎょう;h]して、(会社名[かいしゃめい;h])で (期間[きかん;h]) 働[はたら;a]いておりました。"></typo><br>*I graduated from (university name) and have been working at (company name) for (duration).*

The verb <typo lang="ja" syntax="おります[おります;h]"></typo> (orimasu) is the humble form of <typo lang="ja" syntax="います[います;h]"></typo> (imasu). You'll use this a lot when describing your own actions or state of being.

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="本日[ほんじつ;h]はよろしくお 願[ねが;a]いいたします。"></typo><br>*[I look forward to working](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/good-luck-in-japanese) with you today.*

This is more formal than the everyday <typo lang="ja" syntax="よろしくお 願[ねが;a] いします[;h]"></typo> (yoroshiku onegai shimasu). The <typo lang="ja" syntax="いたします[いたします;h]"></typo> (itashimasu) form is extra humble.

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## Common interview questions and how to answer them
Japanese job interviews tend to follow pretty standard patterns. Here are the questions you're almost guaranteed to get and how to respond.

### Why do you want to work at this company?
> ❓<typo lang="ja" syntax="なぜ 弊社[へいしゃ;h]を 志望[しぼう;h]されたのですか。"></typo><br>*Why did you apply to our company?*

By the way, what's the difference between <typo lang="ja" syntax="貴社[きしゃ;h]"></typo> (kisha) and <typo lang="ja" syntax="御社[おんしゃ;h]"></typo> (onsha)? Both mean "your company," but <typo lang="ja" syntax="貴社[きしゃ;h]"></typo> is used in written documents like cover letters, while <typo lang="ja" syntax="御社[おんしゃ;h]"></typo> is used in spoken conversation. You'll hear the interviewer say <typo lang="ja" syntax="弊社[へいしゃ;h]"></typo> (heisha), which is the humble form companies use to refer to themselves.

Your answer should be specific:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="御社[おんしゃ;h]の (具体的[ぐたいてき;h]な 点[てん;h])に 魅力[みりょく;h]を 感[かん;a]じ、志望[しぼう;h] いたしました。"></typo><br>*I was attracted to (specific point) about your company and applied.*

### What are your strengths?
> ❓<typo lang="ja" syntax="あなたの 強[つよ;a]みは 何[なん;h]ですか。"></typo><br>*What are your strengths?*

Answer with concrete examples:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="私[わたし;h]の 強[つよ;a]みは (強[つよ;a]み)です。前職[ぜんしょく;h]では、(具体例[ぐたいれい;h])という 経験[けいけん;h]がございます。"></typo><br>*My strength is (strength). In my previous job, I had the experience of (specific example).*

Using <typo lang="ja" syntax="ございます[ございます;h]"></typo> (gozaimasu) instead of <typo lang="ja" syntax="あります[あります;h]"></typo> (arimasu) adds that extra layer of politeness.

### What are your weaknesses?
> ❓<typo lang="ja" syntax="あなたの 弱[よわ;a]みは 何[なん;h]ですか。"></typo><br>*What are your weaknesses?*

The trick here is to mention a real weakness but show how you're working on it:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="(弱[よわ;a]み)という 点[てん;h]がございますが、(改善策[かいぜんさく;h])を 心[こころ;a]がけております。"></typo>
<br>*I have a weakness in (weakness), but I'm making efforts to (improvement strategy).*

### Tell us about your experience working in teams
> ❓<typo lang="ja" syntax="チームで 働[はたら;a]く 時[とき;h]に 大切[たいせつ;h]にしていることは 何[なん;h]ですか。"></typo><br>*What do you value when working in a team?*

This question comes up constantly because Japanese companies really emphasize teamwork and group harmony. Your answer should show you understand this:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="コミュニケーションを 大切[たいせつ;h]にしております。チームメンバーとの 情報共有[じょうほうきょうゆう;h]を 心[こころ;a]がけ、協力[きょうりょく;h]して 仕事[しごと;h]を 進[すす;a]めることを 重視[じゅうし;h]しております。"></typo><br>*I value communication. I make efforts to share information with team members and prioritize working cooperatively to advance our work.*

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## Essential business Japanese vocabulary for interviews
You'll need to know some key terms that come up in pretty much every Japanese job interview. Here's the vocab that matters:

| Japanese | Reading | English |
| - | - | - |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="経験[けいけん;h]"></typo> | keiken | experience |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="能力[のうりょく;h]"></typo> | nouryoku | ability, capability |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="貢献[こうけん;h]"></typo> | kouken | contribution |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="目標[もくひょう;h]"></typo> | mokuhyou | goal, objective |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="成長[せいちょう;h]"></typo> | seichou | growth |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="責任感[せきにんかん;h]"></typo> | sekininkan | sense of responsibility |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="向上心[こうじょうしん;h]"></typo> | koujoushin | ambition, desire to improve |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="課題[かだい;h]"></typo> | kadai | challenge, task |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="達成[たっせい;h]"></typo> | tassei | achievement, accomplishment |

When talking about your previous work, you'll use:
| Japanese | Reading | English |
| - | - | - |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="前職[ぜんしょく;h]"></typo> | zenshoku | previous job |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="担当[たんとう;h]"></typo> | tantou | being in charge of |
| <typo lang="ja" syntax="業務[ぎょうむ;h]"></typo> | gyoumu | business operations, duties |

Example sentence:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="前職[ぜんしょく;h]では 営業[えいぎょう;h]を 担当[たんとう;h]しておりました。"></typo><br>*In my previous job, I was in charge of sales.*

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## Phrases for asking questions at the end
The interviewer will almost always ask if you have any questions. Having none is a bad look. Here's how to ask thoughtful questions:

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="質問[しつもん;h]してもよろしいでしょうか。"></typo><br>*May I ask a question?*
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="入社後[にゅうしゃご;h]の 研修[けんしゅう;h]について 教[おし;a]えていただけますでしょうか。"></typo><br>*Could you tell me about the training after joining the company?*
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="この職種[しょくしゅ;h]で 求[もと;a]められるスキルについて、もう 少[すこ;a]し 詳[くわ;a]しくお 聞[き;a]きしたいのですが。"></typo><br>*I'd like to hear more details about the skills required for this position.*

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## Closing the interview properly
How you end the interview matters just as much as how you started. Here are the phrases you need:

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="本日[ほんじつ;h]はお 忙[いそが;a]しい 中[なか;h]、貴重[きちょう;h]なお 時間[じかん;h]をいただき、誠[まこと;h]にありがとうございました。"></typo><br>*Thank you very much for taking your valuable time out of your busy schedule today.*
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ぜひ 御社[おんしゃ;h]で 働[はたら;a]きたいと 思[おも;a]っております。"></typo><br>*I sincerely hope to work at your company.*
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="それでは、失礼[しつれい;h]いたします。"></typo><br>*Well then, excuse me.*

Say this as you stand up and bow before leaving the room.

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## Tips for practicing interview etiquette and words
Honestly, the best way to get comfortable with these phrases is to practice them out loud. 

1. Record yourself and listen back. Do you sound natural? Are you using the right intonation? Japanese has pitch accent, and getting it wrong can make you sound less professional.
2. Find a language partner or tutor who can do mock interviews with you. The first few times will feel awkward and scripted, but that's fine. You need to get the phrases into your muscle memory so they come out naturally when you're nervous in the actual interview.
3. Write out your self-introduction and your answers to common questions. Then practice saying them without reading. You don't want to sound like you're reciting memorized lines, but you also don't want to fumble for words in the moment.
4. Adapt the vocabulary to match your field. If you're interviewing for an IT position, learn the Japanese terms for the technologies you work with. If you're going into education, know how to talk about teaching methodologies in Japanese. The grammatical patterns stay the same, you just swap in industry-specific nouns.

The key is sounding prepared but not robotic. You want the interviewer to feel like you've put in the effort to learn proper business Japanese, but you also want to come across as a real person they'd want to work with.

Anyway, if you're serious about working in Japan and want to level up your Japanese beyond just interview phrases, Migaku's browser extension and app make it way easier to learn from real content. You can watch Japanese business videos, read company websites, and look up words instantly without breaking your flow. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to see how it works.

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## It's absolutely normal to feel nervous about a Japanese interview
Working in Japan as a foreigner means you'll be held to high standards for language ability, especially in formal situations. Self-doubt, nervousness, tense, it's all normal. The key point is to prepare thoroughly and trust the process. Use multiple resources to help with preparation: tutors, job interview videos, career-related dramas and shows...

> If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. _Period_.

Great things are worth preparing.