Mock job interviews in Japanese held for international doctoral students
The Career Development Section at Science Tokyo’s Center for Entrepreneurship Education hosted a day of Japanese mock job interviews for the Institute’s international doctoral students on Ookayama Campus on March 11.
The event, aimed at doctoral students who have already achieved a certification level of N2 or higher in the standardized Japanese-Language Proficiency Test and who wish to work in Japan after their studies, attracted 23 participants. These students were interviewed by career advisors from the Student Support Center and professors from the Center for Entrepreneurship Education.
Before the event, participants were asked to complete an assignment sheet. They were requested to outline the content and novelty of their research, the background and reasoning behind their chosen research, any particularly innovative achievements and resulting breakthroughs, outcomes such as specialized knowledge and skills resulting from the activities, and any future plans. They were also asked to describe specific contributions they could offer if they joined a particular company as an employee.
The interviewer and the student then engaged in a mock interview based on the content of the assignment sheet submitted by the student. Rather than focus on detailed Japanese expressions, the interviewer offered advice on how the student could best convey their abilities, experiences, and strengths to others. The interviewer also tried to help students explain their research to people outside their field of expertise. In addition, by observing other students' mock interviews, the students were able to gain insights from one another.
Most participating students were very pleased with the event. They provided the following feedback.
- By speaking with a mock interviewer, I was able to understand the atmosphere during an actual interview.
- I understood that how you express yourself is more important than pronouncing Japanese perfectly.
- I learned how important it is to give your answers confidently.
- It became clear to me that it is important to be aware of one's own experience and potential ability when giving explanations.
- I realized that I must clearly communicate my research not only from a technical perspective, but also from a corporate perspective — how it can contribute to product development and market development. I also understood the importance of giving logical and concise explanations.
- I learned the importance of explaining how I have set up my research topic, and how this research connects to society.
After the event, the participating students appeared more confident about seeking and finding employment in Japan, suggesting that the event was both practical and meaningful.
Science Tokyo provides various career support services, including guidance sessions, published guidebooks, and individual career counseling to its international students. The Institute and its members are always here to help students progress on their diverse career paths.
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Contact
Career Development Section, Center for Entrepreneurship Education
Email career_edu@cee.isct.ac.jp