Working with Recruiters in Japan: How Agents Work and How to Use Them Well
Recruitment agencies, called 人材紹介会社 (jinzai shōkai gaisha) or simply “agents”, are one of the main ways international professionals find jobs in Japan. The employer usually pays the agency’s fee, so registering is free for you. A recruiter interviews you, suggests openings, sends your application, prepares you for interviews and often negotiates the offer. To get the most from them, be honest about your Japanese level, have your résumé ready in English and Japanese, answer quickly and never apply to the same company through two agents. Here’s how it works.
Types of recruiters
| Type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Bilingual agencies | International candidates for roles that use English, or English and Japanese, often at foreign companies in Japan |
| Large Japanese agencies | Candidates with strong Japanese looking at Japanese companies; most communication is in Japanese |
| Headhunters (ヘッドハンター) | Experienced and senior professionals, often approached directly |
| Scout services (スカウト) | Posting your profile so companies and agents contact you |
Many people register with two or three agencies, plus job boards and LinkedIn. Our guide to finding a job in Japan covers the other routes.
How the process works
- Registration: you upload your CV and fill in your experience, visa status and Japanese level.
- Consultation (面談, mendan): a call with a consultant about your skills, goals and salary expectations. Treat it like a light interview.
- Introductions: the consultant suggests openings. You decide which ones they may apply to for you.
- Documents: for Japanese companies, you’ll often need a rirekisho and a shokumu keirekisho. Some agents help with these.
- Interviews: the agent schedules them, briefs you on the company and collects feedback afterwards.
- Offer: the agent usually handles salary and start-date discussions with the company.
Getting the most from a recruiter
- Be honest about your Japanese. Saying “business level” when you are closer to conversational will only cause problems at interview. A JLPT result helps; see the Japanese level employers expect.
- Keep track of where you’ve applied. If two agents send your CV to the same company, it can look careless and cause fee disputes.
- Reply quickly. Agents work with many candidates and move on if they don’t hear back.
- Ask about the role directly: team language, overtime, visa support and why the position is open.
- Remember whose side they’re on. A good recruiter helps you, but they are paid when you’re hired. Make your own decision about any offer.
Useful phrases with Japanese-speaking agents
- 英語を使う仕事を希望しています。 I’m looking for a job that uses English.
- ビザのサポートがある求人を探しています。 I’m looking for jobs with visa support.
- その企業にはすでに応募しています。 I’ve already applied to that company.
- 今回は見送らせてください。 I’ll pass on this one, thank you.
How Hanabuddies can help
We’re not a recruitment agency and don’t place candidates, but we help you get ready to work with one. Our career coaching covers your Japanese résumé, how to describe your experience, mock interviews in Japanese with feedback on your keigo, and preparing for consultations with agents. See career coaching for Japan and our guide to job interviews in Japan.