レジュメの作成 /How to write a resume

When looking for work abroad other than through a foreign assignment at a Japanese company, the first obstacle one encounters is often the creation of a resume. As a student advisor at a language school, I am often asked to review resumes. Based on my experiences with job hunting in Japan as a new graduate, in Canada, and when changing jobs at a Japanese company, I will now write about the differences and how to write a resume compared to the Japanese style. I will also include information in English for those aiming to find employment in Japan (I am not a career advisor, so please note that my advice is based on my personal experiences).

Differences in Content and Appearance

The general contents listed on both resumes are as follows:

＜Contents to be included＞

• Japanese Resume
  1. Basic Information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Address, Gender, Age, Photograph)
  2. Academic Background
  3. Work Experience
  4. Qualifications
  5. Reason for Application
  6. Self-PR / Hobbies
• Canadian Resume (for work in Canada)
  1. Basic Information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Address)
  2. Objective Statement
  3. Skills / Qualifications
  4. Work Experience (with Job Description)
  5. Academic Background
  6. References

In a Japanese resume, only facts are generally included, while in a Canadian resume, it is important to highlight what you have done and what you are capable of. An essential point to note is that in a Canadian resume, information that could be considered discriminatory if not included, such as gender, age, place of birth, visa status, and photograph, should be omitted. While some employers may request this information, it is generally not necessary to include it. (Especially in places where there are many employees on Working Holiday visas, they tend to ask about visa information).

Since the appearance is also quite different, I will provide examples for you. Japanese resumes generally have a uniform appearance, while Canadian resumes have a more diverse look, allowing you to express your individuality.

Explanation: Japanese Resume

A Japanese resume generally includes the following:

1. Basic Information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Address, Gender, Age, Photograph)
2. Academic Background
3. Work Experience
4. Qualifications
5. Reason for Application
6. Self-PR / Hobbies and Special Skills

I will explain each in order.

Basic Information

Includes name, current address, phone number (often both cell phone and home phone are required), email address, gender, age, and photograph. The photograph should be taken with a blue, white, or gray background, and wearing a black suit with a white shirt is necessary.

Academic Background

Includes education from high school graduation to the most recent education. Both the year of enrollment and year of graduation should be listed, either in AD or in the Japanese era format. Include the name of the school, along with the faculty and major. Details such as the location of the school are not necessary.

Work Experience

Excludes part-time jobs, so for new graduates, it is indicated as “none.” Regardless of whether it is a full-time or contract employee, list the employment and resignation year, along with a brief description of the business and responsibilities. If you left the company for personal reasons, write “resigned due to personal circumstances” along with the year of resignation. If otherwise, state the reason (such as company bankruptcy).

Qualifications

Include the year of acquiring qualifications such as a driver’s license, language proficiency (TOEIC, Eiken), and other technical qualifications. It is possible to include those not directly related to the job application. They can also be listed under the ‘Special Skills’ section.

Reason for Application

For new graduate recruitment, include what you excelled at and what you are good at during your student days, along with why you aspire to the position. For mid-career recruitment, write why you are applying based on your previous work experience. The reason for application may change depending on the position being recruited. The point is to come up with a reason for application that matches the desired position. Also, as many companies are doing similar business, conducting research on the company and tailoring your reason for application to the unique characteristics of the company can increase the pass rate for the document screening.

Self-PR / Hobbies and Special Skills

For both new graduate recruitment and mid-career recruitment, the basic content is the same, but it is essential to state what experiences you have gone through, what you can do, and how you can utilize them in the company. For new graduates, stating what you can do based on your experiences during your student days increases persuasiveness. For mid-career recruitment, describe how you can utilize your experiences from your previous job. Since there is a limit to the number of characters, it is not necessary to provide detailed information, but it is essential to tell a coherent story. Also, hobbies and special skills give an idea of your personality, so it’s good to write down hobbies and special skills that are related to your self-PR.

Explanation: Canadian Resume

A Canadian resume includes the following, and I will explain each in order.

1. Basic Information (Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Address)
2. Objective Statement
3. Skills / Qualifications
4. Work Experience (with Job Description)
5. Academic Background
6. References

Basic Information

Only the name, current address, phone number, and email address are listed at the top of the resume. It is optional to include a photograph. If included, a professional-looking photo is acceptable, and there is no need to wear a formal suit.

Objective Statement

This is a simplified version of the reason for application and self-PR in a Japanese resume. The way you write may vary slightly depending on the position you are applying for, but generally, you should state how you are applying for the desired position with the experience you have. An example is as follows:

With [experienced years] of experience in [experienced sector], [experienced sector], and [experienced sector], I am a certified [certified skills] seeking a challenging role as [position]. Utilizing my [skills], I aim to contribute to the success of the company while further developing my professional skills and knowledge.

Here, it is essential to summarize the qualifications and skills you have learned that apply to the position you are applying for.

Skills/Qualifications

List the skills you possess that seem suitable for the position you are applying for. Unlike the qualifications listed in a Japanese resume (such as a driver’s license or TOEIC score), it is best to describe in more detail what you can do in sentences. For example:

• Educated to deal with multicultural clients in the business field.
• Being open-minded, having sociable manners, and being able to respond to customers with kindness and loyalty.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoints).
• Strong communication skills in English and Japanese.

In addition, for example, if you are applying for a server in British Columbia, it is better to mention having ‘Serve it Right’ certification.

Work Experience

List your work experience in reverse chronological order. For part-time jobs during your student days, select and list only those that seem relevant to the position you are applying for. Other than the position, company name, and duration, it is good to include the location of the company and a description of the actual work you performed. For example, if you were a server at a restaurant:

Server Staff [month][year] – [month][year]

[company name], Vancouver, BC

• Served food, checked, guided to the seats, and took orders in the local restaurant.
• Designated seats to customers efficiently to increase store turnover efficiency to improve customer satisfaction due to constant congestion.
• Utilized a POS system to enter customer orders and process transactions.

The job description should be written in the past participle form for those who have already left and in the present participle form for current positions.

Academic Background

List your academic background in the same way, in reverse chronological order. It is preferable to include only the education from high school graduation or higher (university or college), but if it is up to high school graduation, include that information. It is also good to briefly describe what you studied, so include the names of the courses you took.

Bachelor of [name of your major department] [month][year]– [month][year]

[School name] Tokyo, Japan

Learned [class name], [class name], [class name], and [class name].

Reference

This is something like a background check often done in North America to confirm what kind of person you are and how you work. It is common to ask previous employers such as managers or colleagues and school teachers. If you are allowed to mention the name as a reference by a former employer, including it in your resume can help the selection process run smoothly. However, it is generally fine to state ‘Available upon request.’

I have provided a brief explanation about writing resumes. I will cover more details separately later.