[ID Photos? Self-Analysis?] What to Do in the Fall of Your Third Year of University for Job Hunting in Japan

Job-Hunting Tips #Job-Hunting ID Photo #Job Hunting

September 9, 2022November 9, 2026 Chiharu

A job-hunting ID photo shoot at 19Studio

September is finally here! Are you getting ready for job hunting (shukatsu)?
Some of you want to get more serious after a summer internship, and others are just about to start. Everyone is at a different stage.

Applications for autumn and winter internships also begin around this time, so it's really important to sort out what you need to do. ◎

In this article, we'll walk you through what to do when job hunting from autumn!

What to do when job hunting from autumn
1. Prepare your ID photo
2. Self-analysis, always important
3. Industry and company research
4. Prepare for written aptitude tests
Summary

What to Do from Autumn ①: Prepare Your ID Photo

"Really? Already?" you might think, but if you're starting your job hunt in autumn, we recommend getting your photo taken early.
As deadlines for autumn and winter internship applications close in, more and more people panic, thinking "I haven't had my ID photo taken yet!" and studio bookings become harder to get.

The weather is comfortable, too, which makes autumn a great season to visit a studio in your suit!

What to Do from Autumn ②: Self-Analysis, Always Important

Self-analysis (reflecting on your strengths, values and goals) is always important. Your thinking may change as your job hunt progresses, so it's even better to do quick, simple self-analysis regularly.

If you started in summer, do it again in light of your summer internship experience. If you're starting in autumn, take the time to do it thoroughly once.
You can find easy self-analysis methods in books and on YouTube, so try finding one that suits you.

I used the method in this video (in Japanese) for my own self-analysis during my job hunt!

What to Do from Autumn ③: Industry and Company Research

If you start looking into industries and companies you're interested in now, bit by bit, you'll have time to gather information and think it through carefully.

If you don't have any particular industry or company in mind, list the industries and companies you don't want to work for, along with your reasons, and then look into industries and companies that meet the opposite conditions.

Once your research is fairly advanced, we also recommend meeting with alumni who work at companies you're interested in (known in Japan as OB/OG visits).

What to Do from Autumn ④: Prepare for Written Aptitude Tests

As winter approaches, deadlines for entry sheets (the application forms most Japanese companies require) come one after another. You won't have time to prepare slowly by then, so it's best to get ready early, while it's still autumn.

Written tests come in many types, such as Tamatebako, SPI and companies' own exams, and the content differs quite a lot between them. If you already have a top-choice company, find out which test it uses and prepare for that specific test.

Summary

In this article, we introduced what you should do when job hunting from autumn!
Job hunting is gradually getting into full swing, but don't panic. Keep in mind that preparing early is the key!

Chiharu: Loves writing articles and is studying copywritingI love writing and I'm currently studying copywriting. I turn the questions our guests often ask and the things I notice in the studio into easy-to-read articles about job-hunting and ID photos, so that even first-timers can understand them.