Job-hunting in Japan
In Japan, unlike in western countries, students start job-hunting in the year prior to their graduation year.Specifically, from around June in the third year of their undergraduate course or the first year of their master’s course, students begin to participate in on-campus seminars and internship programs, conduct self-analysis and company research, and prepare for taking written examinations and filling in entry sheets (initial application forms).
From March in the third year of undergraduate courses or the first year of master’s courses, many companies begin to organize joint job fairs and company information sessions and receive entries. From the middle of April, such companies begin employment examinations and interviews. Around May, the companies begin to make tentative offers of employment.
Since Japanese proficiency is required, it is necessary to make early preparation, for example, by attending an on-campus Japanese language seminar.