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Japanese Job Interview Vocabulary: 200+ Words for Success

Table of Contents
1. General Interview Terms
2. Basic Greetings & Phrases
3. Self-Introduction
4. Strengths & Weaknesses
5. Reason for Applying
6. Work Experience & Skills
7. Future Goals & Career Path
8. Questions for the Interviewer
9. Company-Related Vocabulary
10. Closing Phrases
Japanese job interview vocabulary can make or break your success when applying for jobs in Japan. From common interview questions to polite expressions and resume terms, mastering the right words will help you impress potential employers. Mazii have compiled 200+ essential terms you need to confidently navigate the Japanese job market. Let’s explore!
Japanese Interview Vocabulary: 200+ Words for Success
General Interview Terms
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
めんせつ |
面接 |
Mensetsu |
Interview |
めんせつかん |
面接官 |
Mensetsukan |
Interviewer |
おうぼしゃ |
応募者 |
Ōbosha |
Applicant |
さいよう |
採用 |
Saiyō |
Hiring / Employment |
ふさいよう |
不採用 |
Fusaiyō |
Rejection / Not hiring |
ないてい |
内定 |
Naitei |
Unofficial job offer |
りれきしょ |
履歴書 |
Rirekisho |
Resume / CV |
しょくむけいれきしょ |
職務経歴書 |
Shokumu keirekisho |
Work history document |
エントリーシート |
Entorī shīto |
Entry sheet (company-specific application form) |
|
しぼうしょ |
志望書 |
Shibōsho |
Letter of intent |
いちじめんせつ |
一次面接 |
Ichiji mensetsu |
First interview |
にじめんせつ |
二次面接 |
Niji mensetsu |
Second interview |
さいしゅうめんせつ |
最終面接 |
Saishū mensetsu |
Final interview |
しゅうだんめんせつ |
集団面接 |
Shūdan mensetsu |
Group interview |
こじんめんせつ |
個人面接 |
Kojin mensetsu |
Individual interview |
けっか |
結果 |
Kekka |
Result |
つうち |
通知 |
Tsūchi |
Notification |
へんじ |
返事 |
Henji |
Reply / Answer |
きぼう |
希望 |
Kibō |
Hope / Wish |
じょうけん |
条件 |
Jōken |
Conditions / Terms |
いし |
意思 |
Ishi |
Intention / Will |
ねんしゅう |
年収 |
Nenshū |
Annual income |
げっしゅう |
月収 |
Gesshū |
Monthly income |
ごえんがなかった |
ご縁がなかった |
Go-en ga nakatta |
It wasn't a good match (polite rejection phrase) |
うけたまわる |
承る |
Uketamawaru |
To hear / To be told (humble) |
はいけんする |
拝見する |
Haiken suru |
To see / To look at (humble) |
ぞんじております |
存じております |
Zonjite orimasu |
To know (humble) |
おっしゃるとおりです |
Ossharu tōri desu |
Just as you say (respectful) |
Basic Greetings & Phrases
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
おはようございます |
Ohayō gozaimasu |
Good morning |
|
こんにちは |
Konnichiwa |
Hello / Good afternoon |
|
こんばんは |
Konbanwa |
Good evening |
|
よろしくおねがいします |
宜しくお願いします |
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu |
Nice to meet you / I look forward to working with you |
こちらこそ |
Kochira koso |
Likewise / The pleasure is all mine |
|
しつれいします |
失礼します |
Shitsurei shimasu |
Excuse me (for entering/leaving) |
ありがとうございました |
Arigatō gozaimashita |
Thank you very much (for something completed) |
|
はい |
Hai |
Yes |
|
いいえ |
Iie |
No |
|
そうですか |
Sō desu ka |
I see / Is that so? |
|
かしこまりました |
Kashikomarimashita |
Certainly / I understand (polite) |
|
しょうちしました |
承知しました |
Shōchi shimashita |
Understood / Roger that (polite) |
おまたせいたしました |
お待たせいたしました |
Omatase itashimashita |
Sorry to have kept you waiting |
ほんじつは |
本日は |
Honjitsu wa |
Today is... (formal) |
お時間をいただき、ありがとうございます |
お時間を頂き、ありがとうございます |
Ojikan o itadaki, arigatō gozaimasu |
Thank you for your time |
Self-Introduction
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
じこしょうかい |
自己紹介 |
Jiko shōkai |
Self-introduction |
〜ともうします |
〜と申します |
~ to mōshimasu |
My name is ~ (humble) |
けいれき |
経歴 |
Keireki |
Background / Work history |
がくれき |
学歴 |
Gakureki |
Educational background |
しゅっしん |
出身 |
Shusshin |
Hometown / Place of origin |
だいがく |
大学 |
Daigaku |
University |
がくぶ |
学部 |
Gakubu |
University faculty/department |
せんこう |
専攻 |
Senkō |
Major (academic) |
そつぎょう |
卒業 |
Sotsugyō |
Graduation |
しゅみ |
趣味 |
Shumi |
Hobby |
とくぎ |
特技 |
Tokugi |
Special skill / Talent |
しかく |
資格 |
Shikaku |
Qualification / Certification |
きょうみ |
興味 |
Kyōmi |
Interest |
どくがく |
独学 |
Dokugaku |
Self-study |
けいけん |
経験 |
Keiken |
Experience |
ぜんしょく |
前職 |
Zenshoku |
Previous job |
げんしょく |
現職 |
Genshoku |
Current job |
まなぶ |
学ぶ |
Manabu |
To learn |
ぞくする |
属する |
Zokusuru |
To belong to |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
ちょうしょ |
長所 |
Chōsho |
Strength / Strong point |
たんしょ |
短所 |
Tansho |
Weakness / Shortcoming |
じこPR |
自己PR |
Jiko PR |
Self-promotion / Personal strengths statement |
つよみ |
強み |
Tsuyomi |
Strength / Forte |
よわみ |
弱み |
Yowami |
Weakness |
せきにんかん |
責任感 |
Sekininkan |
Sense of responsibility |
きょうちょうせい |
協調性 |
Kyōchōsei |
Cooperativeness / Teamwork skills |
せっきょくせい |
積極性 |
Sekkyokusei |
Proactiveness / Positivity |
じしゅせい |
自主性 |
Jishusei |
Independence / Initiative |
じゅうなんせい |
柔軟性 |
Jūnansei |
Flexibility / Adaptability |
こうじょうしん |
向上心 |
Kōjōshin |
Ambition / Desire to improve |
しゅうちゅうりょく |
集中力 |
Shūchūryoku |
Concentration |
せいじつ |
誠実 |
Seijitsu |
Sincere / Honest |
どりょくか |
努力家 |
Doryokuka |
Hard worker |
しんちょう |
慎重 |
Shinchō |
Cautious / Prudent |
がんこ |
頑固 |
Ganko |
Stubborn |
きんちょうしやすい |
緊張しやすい |
Kinchō shiyasui |
To get nervous easily |
マイペース |
Mai pēsu |
(Doing things) at my own pace |
|
こくふくする |
克服する |
Kokufuku suru |
To overcome |
かいぜんする |
改善する |
Kaizen suru |
To improve |
いかす |
活かす |
Ikasu |
To make the most of / To leverage |
Reason for Applying
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
しぼうどうき |
志望動機 |
Shibō dōki |
Reason for applying |
おんしゃ |
御社 |
Onsha |
Your company (spoken) |
きしゃ |
貴社 |
Kisha |
Your company (written) |
りねん |
理念 |
Rinen |
Philosophy / Corporate mission |
ぎじゅつりょく |
技術力 |
Gijutsuryoku |
Technological skill / capability |
しゃふう |
社風 |
Shafū |
Corporate culture |
せいちょうせい |
成長性 |
Seichōsei |
Growth potential |
じぎょうないよう |
事業内容 |
Jigyō naiyō |
Business content / Operations |
みりょく |
魅力 |
Miryoku |
Charm / Appeal |
こうけんする |
貢献する |
Kōken suru |
To contribute |
やりがい |
Yarigai |
Worth doing / Rewarding |
|
せんもんせい |
専門性 |
Senmonsei |
Speciality / Expertise |
きょうみをもつ |
興味を持つ |
Kyōmi o motsu |
To have an interest in |
〜にひかれる |
〜に惹かれる |
~ ni hikareru |
To be attracted to ~ |
せいちょうできるかんきょう |
成長できる環境 |
Seichō dekiru kankyō |
Environment where one can grow |
どうき |
動機 |
Dōki |
Motive / Incentive |
きっかけ |
Kikkake |
Initial reason / Trigger |
|
てんしょくのりゆう |
転職の理由 |
Tenshoku no riyū |
Reason for changing jobs |
Work Experience & Skills
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
しょくむけいれき |
職務経歴 |
Shokumu keireki |
Work experience |
ぎょうむないよう |
業務内容 |
Gyōmu naiyō |
Job description / Work duties |
たんとうする |
担当する |
Tantō suru |
To be in charge of |
じっせき |
実績 |
Jisseki |
Achievements / Track record |
せいか |
成果 |
Seika |
Results / Accomplishments |
プロジェクト |
Purojekuto |
Project |
|
マネジメント |
Manejimento |
Management |
|
リーダー |
Rīdā |
Leader |
|
チーム |
Chīmu |
Team |
|
のうりょく |
能力 |
Nōryoku |
Ability / Skill |
コミュニケーションのうりょく |
コミュニケーション能力 |
Komyunikēshon nōryoku |
Communication skills |
もんだいかいけつのうりょく |
問題解決能力 |
Mondai kaiketsu nōryoku |
Problem-solving skills |
パソコンスキル |
Pasokon sukiru |
PC skills |
|
えいご |
英語 |
Eigo |
English language |
ごがくのうりょく |
語学能力 |
Gogaku nōryoku |
Language ability |
じむ |
事務 |
Jimu |
Administrative work |
えいぎょう |
営業 |
Eigyō |
Sales |
かいはつ |
開発 |
Kaihatsu |
Development |
マーケティング |
Māketingu |
Marketing |
|
じんじ |
人事 |
Jinji |
Human Resources (HR) |
けいり |
経理 |
Keiri |
Accounting |
けんしゅう |
研修 |
Kenshū |
Training |
つちかう |
培う |
Tsuchikau |
To cultivate / To foster (skills) |
はっきする |
発揮する |
Hakki suru |
To demonstrate / To exhibit (ability) |
たいしょく |
退職 |
Taishoku |
Resignation / Retirement |
にゅうしゃ |
入社 |
Nyūsha |
Joining a company |
Future Goals & Career Path
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
しょうらい |
将来 |
Shōrai |
Future |
もくひょう |
目標 |
Mokuhyō |
Goal / Objective |
キャリアプラン |
Kyaria puran |
Career plan |
|
キャリアパス |
Kyaria pasu |
Career path |
|
3ねんご |
3年後 |
Sannengo |
In 3 years |
5ねんご |
5年後 |
Gonengo |
In 5 years |
10ねんご |
10年後 |
Jūnengo |
In 10 years |
しょうしん |
昇進 |
Shōshin |
Promotion |
せんもんか |
専門家 |
Senmonka |
Specialist / Expert |
スペシャリスト |
Supesharisuto |
Specialist |
|
ゼネラリスト |
Zenerarisuto |
Generalist |
|
ちょうせんする |
挑戦する |
Chōsen suru |
To challenge / To try |
めざす |
目指す |
Mezasu |
To aim for |
きたいする |
期待する |
Kitai suru |
To expect / To hope for |
やくにたちたい |
役に立ちたい |
Yaku ni tachitai |
I want to be useful |
せんりょく |
戦力 |
Senryoku |
Asset / Force (to the company) |
ぶんや |
分野 |
Bun'ya |
Field / Area |
Questions for the Interviewer
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
ぎゃくしつもん |
逆質問 |
Gyaku shitsumon |
Reverse question (your chance to ask questions) |
しつもん |
質問 |
Shitsumon |
Question |
ごしつもんはありますか |
ご質問はありますか |
Go-shitsumon wa arimasu ka? |
Do you have any questions? |
くわしく |
詳しく |
Kuwashiku |
In detail |
おしえていただけますか |
教えていただけますか |
Oshiete itadakemasu ka? |
Could you please tell me? |
チームのふんいき |
チームの雰囲気 |
Chīmu no fun'iki |
Team atmosphere |
はたらきかた |
働き方 |
Hatarakikata |
Way of working / Work style |
けんしゅうせいど |
研修制度 |
Kenshū seido |
Training system |
ひょうかせいど |
評価制度 |
Hyōka seido |
Evaluation system |
にゅうしゃまでに |
入社までに |
Nyūsha made ni |
Before joining the company |
べんきょうしておくべきこと |
勉強しておくべきこと |
Benkyō shite oku beki koto |
Things I should study |
もとめられること |
求められること |
Motomerareru koto |
What is expected / required |
いちにちのながれ |
一日の流れ |
Ichinichi no nagare |
Flow of a typical day |
かつやくしているひと |
活躍している人 |
Katsuyaku shiteiru hito |
A person who is successful (in the company) |
きょうつうてん |
共通点 |
Kyōtsūten |
Common point / Similarity |
Company-Related Vocabulary
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
かいしゃ |
会社 |
Kaisha |
Company |
きぎょう |
企業 |
Kigyō |
Enterprise / Corporation |
しゃいん |
社員 |
Shain |
Employee |
じょうし |
上司 |
Jōshi |
Boss / Superior |
ぶか |
部下 |
Buka |
Subordinate |
どうりょう |
同僚 |
Dōryō |
Colleague / Co-worker |
ぶしょ |
部署 |
Busho |
Department / Division |
ほんしゃ |
本社 |
Honsha |
Head office |
ししゃ |
支社 |
Shisha |
Branch office |
やくしょく |
役職 |
Yakushoku |
Job title / Position |
けいえいじん |
経営陣 |
Keieijin |
Management team |
ふくりこうせい |
福利厚生 |
Fukuri kōsei |
Welfare and benefits |
きゅうよ |
給与 |
Kyūyo |
Salary / Wage |
ざんぎょう |
残業 |
Zangyō |
Overtime work |
ゆうきゅうきゅうか |
有給休暇 |
Yūkyū kyūka |
Paid leave / vacation |
しゅっちょう |
出張 |
Shutchō |
Business trip |
てんきん |
転勤 |
Tenkin |
Job transfer (relocation) |
オフィス |
Ofisu |
Office |
|
かいぎ |
会議 |
Kaigi |
Meeting |
うちあわせ |
打ち合わせ |
Uchiawase |
(Business) meeting / Arrangement |
Closing Phrases
Kana |
Kanji |
Romaji |
Meaning |
ほんじつはありがとうございました |
本日はありがとうございました |
Honjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita |
Thank you very much for today. |
ぜひ、よろしくおねがいいたします |
ぜひ、宜しくお願い致します |
Zehi, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu |
I would be very grateful for your favorable consideration. |
よいおへんじをおまちしております |
良いお返事をお待ちしております |
Yoi ohenji o omachi shite orimasu |
I am looking forward to a positive reply. |
きちょうなおじかん |
貴重なお時間 |
Kichō na ojikan |
(Your) valuable time |
これでしつれいいたします |
これで失礼いたします |
Kore de shitsurei itashimasu |
I'll be leaving now. / That is all from me. |
Mastering Japanese job interview vocabulary is a key step toward building a successful career in Japan. By learning these essential words and phrases, you’ll not only boost your confidence but also show respect for Japanese business culture.
=> Visit the Mizii website or download the Mizii app from the App Store or Google Play today and start learn Japanese job interview vocabulary!
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