How to Write a Shokumu Keirekisho (Japanese Work History CV)

A shokumu keirekisho (職務経歴書) is the Japanese document that describes your work history in detail, and mid-career employers usually ask for it alongside the rirekisho. Unlike the rirekisho, it has no fixed form: it is typed, usually two or three A4 pages, and opens with a short career summary, followed by each job with your responsibilities and concrete results, then your skills and a brief self-promotion. Write it for the specific job, use numbers wherever you can and have a native speaker check the Japanese.

Rirekisho vs shokumu keirekisho

For the rirekisho itself, see our guide to writing a rirekisho step by step.

The usual sections

1. Title, date and name. 職務経歴書 at the top, the date you submit it and your name.
2. Career summary (職務要約, shokumu yōyaku). Three to five lines on your career so far and your main strengths. Recruiters often read only this, so make it count.
3. Work history (職務経歴, shokumu keireki). For each employer: company name, industry, size, your dates, your role and team, what you were responsible for and what you achieved.
4. Skills and knowledge (活かせる経験・知識・スキル). The skills that match the job: technical skills, languages, management experience.
5. Qualifications (資格). Including JLPT level and any professional certifications.
6. Self-promotion (自己PR, jiko PR). A short paragraph connecting your experience to what the employer needs.

Choosing a format

There are three common ways to order your work history:

• Chronological (編年体式): oldest job first. Traditional and easy to follow.
• Reverse chronological (逆編年体式): most recent job first. Good when your latest role is the most relevant, and familiar to readers used to Western CVs.
• Career-based (キャリア式): grouped by type of work rather than by employer. Useful if you have changed jobs often or work in projects.

Writing achievements the Japanese way

Japanese employers want specifics, but they also value modesty and teamwork. A good line states the situation, what you did and the result, with numbers, and mentions the team where relevant.

• Vague: “Responsible for sales in Asia.”
• Better: “Led a team of four covering 30 clients in Southeast Asia; grew annual sales by 20 percent over two years.”

In Japanese, achievements are usually written in a plain, concise style ending in nouns or 〜した, such as 新規顧客を開拓し、売上を前年比120%に拡大. Avoid exaggeration; interviewers will ask you to explain every line.

Mistakes international applicants often make

• Translating an English CV word for word. The structure and tone are different. Start from the Japanese sections above.
• Leaving out company context. Japanese readers may not know your previous employers. Add the industry, number of employees and what the company does.
• Writing one version for every job. Rewrite the summary and skills for each application.
• Unnatural Japanese. Small errors in business Japanese stand out. Have it checked before you send it.

Getting help

A native speaker who knows Japanese hiring can fix the language, cut what doesn’t matter and help you find the achievements that will interest a Japanese employer. They can also prepare you to talk about each line in an interview. See career coaching for jobs in Japan and our job interview guide.

Common questions

Do I need a shokumu keirekisho for my first job?

New graduates usually don’t, because they have no work history. Mid-career applicants almost always do.

Can I write it in English?

Some foreign-affiliated companies accept an English CV. For Japanese companies, and any job that requires Japanese, prepare a Japanese version.

Should I include a photo?

No. The photo goes on the rirekisho, not the shokumu keirekisho.

If you are applying for jobs in Japan, we can review your shokumu keirekisho and rirekisho and prepare you for interviews. You can get in touch for a free consultation.