Daily Life Lessons · Work
Learn the general flow and manners of job interviews (time, greetings and preparing for online interviews), and be able to take an interview yourself while noticing questions that may lead to discrimination and dangerous job offers.
An interview (面接) is an opportunity for the company to learn about your experience, abilities and attitude toward work. The way interviews are done differs by company and type of job, but here is a typical example.
For an in-person interview, try to arrive a little before the appointed time, and if you might be late, call right away. At reception, give your name and say you have come for an interview, and when entering the room, knock and say "Shitsurei shimasu" (失礼します, "excuse me"). Choose clean clothes, and follow any instructions on what to wear. For an online interview, check your connection, camera and audio in advance and take the interview in a quiet place.
Questions about your registered domicile, your family's occupations, religion, the political party you support and so on may lead to employment discrimination. On the other hand, being asked to show your residence card to confirm that you are allowed to work is a necessary procedure. Job ads on social media that promise "high pay, paid the same day" and ask you to send a photo of your ID may be illegal part-time jobs (闇バイト).
面接（めんせつ）は、会社が あなたの ことを 知る ための 時間です。やり方は 会社で ちがいます。よく ある 例です。
- 約束の 時間より 少し 前に 着きます。 - 遅れそうな ときは、すぐ 電話します。 - 受付（うけつけ）で 名前と「面接に 来ました」と 言います。 - 部屋に 入る ときは ノックして「失礼（しつれい）します」。 - オンライン面接は、前に カメラと 音を 確認して、静かな 場所で。
宗教（しゅうきょう）や 家族の 仕事などの 質問は、差別（さべつ）に つながる ことが あります。 在留カードで 働けるか 確認するのは、必要な ことです。 「高い お金、すぐ 払う」と SNSで さそって、身分証（みぶんしょう）の 写真を 送らせる 仕事は、闇（やみ）バイトかも しれません。
What should you do if you might be late for an interview?
If you might be late, it is common manners to call right away as soon as you know.
What do people generally do when entering the interview room?
It is common to knock and then enter while saying "Shitsurei shimasu."
What should you prepare before an online interview?
Check your equipment and connection in advance, and take the interview in a quiet place.
Which question may lead to employment discrimination?
Religion, the political party you support, registered domicile, family occupations and so on are unrelated to ability and may lead to employment discrimination.
What about a job ad found on social media saying "50,000 yen a day, paid the same day; first send a photo of your ID"?
Job ads that promise high pay paid the same day and make you send your ID may be illegal part-time jobs (闇バイト) recruiting people to carry out crimes.
Q. If I'm asked about my religion or family in an interview, do I have to answer?
A. Such questions are considered unrelated to your ability to do the job and may lead to employment discrimination. If you don't want to answer, you can politely say, "I will answer questions related to the job." If you are in trouble, you can consult Hello Work (ハローワーク) or a Labor Bureau (労働局).
Q. I was asked to show my residence card.
A. Companies need to confirm whether you have a status of residence that allows you to work. Showing it so they can check is a normal procedure. However, national guidelines state that companies should not keep your card or passport.
Q. What should I wear?
A. It differs by company and type of job. Follow any instructions, and if there are none, choose clean, plain clothes. If you are not sure, it is fine to ask the company in advance.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original