How to Write a Japanese Resume: Rirekisho and Shokumukeirekisho (with Template)

When you apply for a job at companies based in Japan, you might see the instructions about what type of resume you must submit. This may surprise some foreigners, but it’s crucial to know about writing and submitting Japanese-style resumes to apply for a job in Japan.

This article will discuss two types of resumes used in Japan: the traditional Japanese resume, “Rirekisho,” which has a standard template, and the normal resume, which is used worldwide and is called Shokumukeirekisho in Japan.

This guide also explains the Rirekisho template, and there is also a link towards the end of this article for downloading the Rirekisho resume template.

Japanese culture values processes and standardization more highly than most other cultures. Japanese resumes are no exception. Unlike other countries, resume formats are very standardized in Japan.

However, there are exceptions to the expectations regarding the type of resume, such as multinationals with a diverse workforce, many foreigners, and modern and progressive Japanese tech companies.

Regarding the above statement, please note that depending on the domain, some multinational companies do not have diversity in the workforce. E.g., companies in auditing, consulting, and such domains.

Such companies need mainly Japanese employees; hence, the work environment, internal processes, and expectations are similar to those of traditional Japanese companies. Moreover, such companies would expect Japanese-style resumes from the candidates.

Types of Japanese Resumes

There are specific kinds of resumes to apply to Japanese companies, which are very different from Western-style resumes. There are two kinds of resumes commonly used in Japan. These are as follows:

1. Rirekisho (履歴書): A brief personal history
2. Shokumukeirekisho (職務経歴書): Career history

Japanese Resume – Rirekisho

If you are applying for a job with a traditional Japanese company or even a multinational that works in the traditional Japanese style, the Japanese resume “Rirekisho” is often mandatory, along with the detailed resume called “Shokumukeirekisho.” However, modern Japanese companies typically do not require the traditional Rirekisho resume.

What is Rirekisho Resume?

Some dictionaries refer to “Rirekisho” as “Resume.” However, the literal meaning of Rirekisho is “Personal History.”

The word “Rirekisho (履歴書)” comprises three Kanji characters. These are as follows:

1. 履: “Footwear,” “Walk” on, or “Tread.”
2. 歴: “History of”
3. 書: Document

If you look at the above-mentioned meanings of the Kanji characters, you will find that the meaning of the word “Rirekisho” is quite poetic and self-explanatory. It means “History of your walk or treading your path.”

Quite poetic, right? So, the Japanese resume “Rirekisho” briefly summarizes your “personal” history. In Rirekisho resume, you do not have to mention work experience details.

Why Rirekisho Resume in Japan?

Traditionally, Japanese companies had a lifetime employment system in which candidates joined a company right after graduation, and companies trained them to carry out their work responsibilities. These work responsibilities may or may not be related to the educational qualification. Moreover, employees would stay with the same employer for life to retire from the same company.

During an employee’s career journey, the job role may change, and the employer provides the required training for the new role.

In fact, in the large traditional Japanese corporate world, this practice still continues.

In the above scenario, the candidates did not have any prior full-time work experience. Hence, a brief personal history of educational qualification and any part-time jobs was sufficient. And that’s why the existence of Rirekisho resumes.

In today’s Japan, large Japanese corporations still hire mainly from universities, as they did in the past. But unlike in the past, some employees change jobs, creating the need for experienced talent to replace them. Moreover, the corporate sector is also realizing the need for change.

So, the brief Rirekisho resume practice and the detailed resume are still practiced at companies with traditional Japanese work environments. However, now, the Rirekisho serves as the resume summary before the hiring manager decides to review the detailed resume.

Details of Japanese Rirekisho Resume

Rirekisho (履歴書) is a two-page template for the basic Japanese resume, which is a must when applying to any traditional Japanese company. In this resume, a candidate lists all the facts about their education and experience in a “standard order“. Please note that modern Japanese companies do not require a Rirekisho.

Creating a Japanese resume is not directly translating your English resume into Japanese. There are specific differences in the formatting and writing that are mainly used when creating a Japanese resume. You can also download the rirekisho template online here to fill it out and send it by email, or print and send the hard copy of your Rirekisho resume.

These days, resumes are electronically submitted, but don’t be surprised to hear that some employers might prefer handwritten ones. Therefore, you can find a blank resume template from your local convenience store.

Make sure your resume is easy to read. If you are not used to writing kanji, it would be worth having a native speaker check your application before submission.

Parts of Rirekisho

The following are the parts that make your Rirekisho-style resume in Japan:

Basic Information 

The first part of a standard Japanese resume covers the applicant’s basic information, including the full name (first, middle, and last), birthday, phone number, address, and photo.

Non-Japanese names should be written in capital letters starting with your last name, then first and middle names. The address should also be written in Japanese for easy reading. Be sure to include furigana in both your name and address. 

We know that it’s uncommon to include a photo with Western resumes. However, having a photo on the resume is a common practice in Japan. Some people may argue against putting a self-picture on their resume, but they should also complain to LinkedIn.

The photograph should be on a neutral background, showing your face clearly with non-distracting hair and make-up. You’re expected to look professional, so wear a nice shirt and a jacket. Residents in Japan often use photo machines that are explicitly used to take these types of photos. They’re usually found in shopping malls and train stations. 

Education and Work History 

The second section of the resume is for education and a brief employment history.

In this next section, you will need to list the names of the schools and the programs you studied. In the first line and center, enter gakureki (学歴) to denote education. You need to list your academic background from your senior high school graduation. If you attended school out of the country, you could specify the country in brackets [] before writing the school’s name.

Below the educational section, you need to write your work history briefly. This is called shokureki (職歴).

To clarify that the following sub-section is for work history, please write shokureki (職歴) in the center to move on to employment history.

Start with the company that first hired you and end with the place where you’re currently employed.

You will see that the first two columns of this section are “年” (Year and “月” (month). Start with the date you entered the first company and right nyuusha (入社) after the company name. Then, in the subsequent line, write the date you left the company with taishoku (退職).

When you come down to the last line, and you’re still employed, write genzainiitaru (現在に至る) for currently still employed. At the end of the section, on the following line, write ijou (以上) to show the end of the section. 

Licenses and Qualifications (Certifications) 

The third section of Riirekisho is for writing about licenses and certifications you might have. Please note that these certifications are not related to your main educational degrees.

Like the previous section, start with the month and year of the qualifications you earned.

Be sure to use the official names of qualifications (certifications) instead of the shortened acronyms, i.e., for the JLPT N1 certification, use 日本語能力試験1級. If you don’t have any qualifications here, then write tokuninashi (特になし) in the first line. 

Self-Promotion, Hobbies, Family 

The left column of the 4th section of the resume is “志望の動機、自己PRなど” (Shibō no dōki, jiko PR nado). This means “Motivation for applying, self-promotion, etc.”

Be sure to fill out the jiko-PR (Self PR or Self Promotion) in this left column of the 4th section of the resume with something that will give your future employer a better understanding of your skills and interests. Include your motivation for applying and any special skills and experiences that would make you stand out from other applicants. 

The right-hand side of the 4th section of Rirekisho resume is used to give a bit more personal information about yourself. In this column, you need to fill out the following personal details:

• Commute time from your home to the closest station or bus stop to go to the office
• Number of dependents, excluding Spouse
• Whether you need to support the spouse as a dependent

Please note that the number of dependents is mainly used for insurance purposes. If you have a spouse (In Japanse haigusha (配偶者)), circle “yuu (有)” for yes or “mu (無)” for no.

Next, you need to mention if your spouse is financially dependent on you and you need to support her. This information is also required for insurance and tax purposes. So, if you’re planning to support your spouse, circle “Yes,” but if your spouse is working, then circle “No.” 

Personal Requests

The 5th section, or the bottom section of your Japanese Rirekisho resume, is for special requests.

Such special requests could be related to things like commuting issues or health concerns. Be aware that any requests you make will likely be discussed during the interview. If you don’t have any particular concerns, write kishakiteini Itagaimasu (貴社規定に従います).

Template of Japanese Resume Rirekisho’s Template

English Translation Rirekisho Template

Please note that the following English translation of the Rirekisho resume template used for applying to Japanese companies is just for your convenience and understanding and not for actual use when you apply to a Japanese company; the original template in Japanese must be used.

Shokumukeirekisho: Detailed Japanese Resume

The second resume which you submit along with the Rirekisho is known as “Shokumukeirekisho (職務経歴書)”. The translation of Shokumukeirekisho is “Job / Work History Document”. As the name suggests, this resume is to write about your work experiences in detail.

The “Shokumukeirekisho” Japanese resume is like the resumes used globally. A Rirekisho only lists the bare facts without any scope for you to mention your experiences and achievements in detail. Japanese companies might have considered these bare facts enough to make a hiring decision for fresh graduates. However, a Rirekisho, with its brief facts and figures, doesn’t serve the purpose of hiring experienced candidates.

In today’s world, the list of just your education and past employers with titles can’t become the basis of a hiring decision. Hence, a Shokumukeirekisho allows you to elaborate on your experience and achievements.

A Shokumukeirekisho resume is similar to the resumes used in Western countries and does not force you to follow a specific template. However, one difference in this Japanese resume is that the Japanese Shokumukeirekisho resume includes some elements of a cover letter. Japanese people refer to this part as “Self-Promotion.”

Which Resume Should I Submit – Rirekisho or Shokumukeirekisho?

The origin of the Japanese resume Rirekisho was due to Japanese companies’ traditional hiring approach to recruiting fresh graduates. Therefore, a Rirekisho template does not provide an opportunity to highlight your work experience. However, if you are applying to a traditional Japanese company, they would prefer to see your Rirekisho resume. So, in such a case, it is recommended that you submit both types of resumes, i.e., Rirekisho and Shokumukeirekisho.

On the other hand, modern Japanese companies and most foreign multinationals in Japan only expect and welcome your detailed resume, i.e., Shokumukeirekisho.

Should I Write My Resume in Japanese or English?

Well, on one hand, it seems a tricky question; however, the answer is very simple and depends on the following factors:

• Type of company and Type of Job
• What is your Japanese level

Please note that while the decision to write the resume depends on the above two factors, you must decide about the resume language in the same order. The decision should be based first on the type of company and job and then on your Japanese level. Let’s see how and why:

Type of Company and Resume Language

Suppose you are applying for a job at a traditional Japanese company where the official language is only Japanese. In that case, you have no choice but to prepare and submit your resume only in Japanese.

On the other hand, new-age Japanese tech companies look forward to receiving resumes for tech jobs written in English.

These modern tech companies have many foreigners working with them, and many of them do not speak Japanese. Therefore, even if the HR personnel are Japanese, the hiring manager and other tech people reviewing your resume may not understand Japanese. However, even such companies would require Japanese resumes for jobs in other areas, such as HR and finance.

If you are applying to a foreign multinational that is not a technology company, you will find very few foreigners apart from the information technology department. In such a case, though they would welcome resumes written in English for information technology jobs, there is a high probability that they would require a Japanese resume for jobs in other departments.

English or Japanese Resume Depending on Your Japanese Level

A tricky question at first glance, but not so tricky if you think deeply.

However, this factor needs serious consideration when deciding whether to write your resume in English or Japanese because of the serious implications it can have.

Writing a resume in Japanese may get you shortlisted for the interview if the job requires good Japanese skills; however, it may kill all your chances of sailing through the interview if your Japanese is not up to the mark.

If you submit your resume in Japanese, you indirectly tell the prospective employer that you know Japanese well. However, if you do not handle your interview well in Japanese, you will directly imply that you lied.

Even if the company and job you are applying for don’t need good Japanese skills, the hiring company may decide to go for an interview in Japanese instead of English. In such a case, you might very well spoil your chances unnecessarily.

Bottom Line: Resume Language

When you decide whether to prepare your resume in Japanese or English, please check the job advertisement based on the above factors. In most cases, hiring companies mention language preference in the resume. In case of doubt, please check with the company, if you are directly applying to them, or the recruitment agency about the resume language preference.

Conclusion

While the detailed Japanese resume (Shokumukeirekisho) is the same as the one used globally, writing a Japanese Rirekisho resume may initially seem intimidating.

However, once you write your first Rirekisho resume, you can modify it yearly as you move through your career in Japan.

Like all resumes, Japanese resumes are designed to be easy to read and create a quick picture of your background. Be consistent with formatting to ensure neatness, and finally, have one native Japanese speaker check over your resume before submitting it.

(Download rirekisho template.)