N4 · 6 min
The Job Interview 面接
The reason you came to Japan. A quiet office, a clock ticking, your résumé in a folder and your heart in your throat. You've practiced this a hundred times. Today, you interview for the job — in Japanese.
You knock three times. A calm voice answers from inside.
The door clicks shut behind you. Heart still racing — but you did it. A whole interview, in Japanese. Now, the wait. 🎉
Phrases you take home
失礼します
you say itshitsurei shimasu
Excuse me (entering / leaving a room)
〜と申します
you say it~ to moushimasu
My name is ~ (humble)
よろしくお願いします
you say ityoroshiku onegai shimasu
I look forward to working with you
頑張ります
you say itganbarimasu
I'll do my best
自己紹介をお願いします
you hear itjikoshoukai o onegai shimasu
Please introduce yourself (listen for this)
いつから働けますか
you hear ititsu kara hatarakemasu ka
When can you start? (listen for this)
Words in this scene
🏮 Culture note
An interview is a set of fixed phrases
A Japanese interview is more ritual than free conversation — and that's good news, because most of it is fixed phrases you can memorize. Knock, say 失礼します as you enter, and wait to be told 座ってください before you sit. The first question is almost always 自己紹介をお願いします — prepare that answer word for word. Introduce yourself with 〜と申します (a humble "I am called"), and end strong answers with 頑張ります, which signals exactly the attitude employers want. Close with 本日はありがとうございました and one last 失礼します and bow on the way out. Politeness and posture often count as much as perfect grammar.
Did you survive?
🎉
Scene complete! 🎉