How to introduce yourself professionally in Japanese during an interview
To introduce yourself professionally in Japanese during an interview, you should begin with a polite greeting and express gratitude for the interview opportunity. Then, provide your name with a humble form, mention your age or origin if relevant, state your educational background, briefly summarize your work experience focusing on roles relevant to the job, highlight your skills or strengths, and conclude with your career goals and a polite closing. The introduction should be concise, ideally about 30 to 60 seconds.
A standard structure and example phrases for a Japanese interview self-introduction (自己紹介, jikoshoukai) are:
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Polite greeting and thank you:
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
(Honjitsu wa ojikan o itadaki, arigatou gozaimasu.)
Thank you for taking time today. -
Name (humble form):
[Your name] と申します。
([Your name] to moushimasu.)
My name is [Your name]. -
Origin or age if applicable:
アメリカ出身で、25歳です。
(Amerika shusshin de, 25-sai desu.)
I am from the United States and I am 25 years old. -
Educational background:
ニューヨーク大学を卒業しました。
(Nyūyōku daigaku o sotsugyō shimashita.)
I graduated from New York University. -
Work experience relevant to the position:
アメリカで2年間、日本で3年間ウェブサイト制作の会社でエンジニアとして働いていました。
(Amerika de ninenkan, Nihon de sannenkan webusaito seisaku no kaisha de enjinia to shite hataraite imashita.)
I worked as an engineer at a website company for two years in the U.S. and three years in Japan. -
Mention skills/strengths or relevant qualities briefly
(Optional, depending on time) -
Express career goals or interest in the company/job:
こちらの会社で更にスキルを伸ばしたいと思っています。
(Kochira no kaisha de sara ni sukiru o nobashitai to omotte imasu.)
I hope to further develop my skills at this company. -
Polite closing:
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
(Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.)
Thank you very much / I look forward to working with you.
This format uses polite and humble language appropriate for Japanese business culture and shows respect and professionalism. Practicing to keep the introduction natural and confident within about a minute is recommended. Tailor the content according to the job and your background for the best impression.