Just Graduated and Job Hunting? Start with Your ID Photo! Where to Begin as a Past Graduate in Japan
Not sure where to begin when you start job hunting after graduation? You're not alone. In Japan, people in this situation are called kisotsu (past graduates): those who have already graduated but are still looking for their first full-time job.
In this article, a staff member who went through the kisotsu job hunt themselves shares how to get started!
Contents
We recommend starting with your ID photo
To apply to a company in Japan, you need an entry sheet (the application form, similar to a résumé or application form in other countries). And every entry sheet needs an ID photo attached to it. Your self-introduction and your reasons for applying take a lot of thought to write, but an ID photo is simply something you have taken at a studio or in a photo booth.
Seen that way, it feels like a pretty low hurdle for a first step, doesn't it?
As a general rule, an ID photo is considered valid if it was taken within 3 to 6 months of when you submit it. Some people reuse the photo from last year's job hunt, but it's safer to have a new one taken.
It can also refresh your mood and act as a great switch to start a new chapter!
What should you wear for a past graduate's ID photo?
Basically, the standard is the same as for new graduates: dress so that you look clean and neat.
If you have no special preference, a suit is the safe choice.
However, just putting on a suit is not enough. Pay attention to the small details, such as avoiding button-down dress shirts and wearing the collar of a skipper-style shirt (a collarless-looking blouse with an open neckline) outside your jacket.
Our blog also covers grooming and attire for job-hunting ID photos, so please check these articles too.
[Things You May Not Know] How to Choose a Dress Shirt for Your Job-Hunting ID Photo | 19Studio Shinjuku – Job-Hunting Photos, Same-Day Booking OK, Lowest Prices
What kind of dress shirt did you choose for your suit ID photo? If you haven't decided yet or are still unsure, please use this article as a reference! Even if you've already decided…
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[Job-Hunting Basics] What to Wear for Your ID Photo (Women's Edition) | 19Studio Shinjuku – Job-Hunting Photos, Same-Day Booking OK, Lowest Prices
Not sure what to wear for your job-hunting ID photo? Please use this article as a reference! Women's suits come with a wide variety of shirts. We also introduce how each one changes your impression…
[Job-Hunting Basics] What to Wear for Your ID Photo (Men's Edition) | 19Studio Shinjuku – Job-Hunting Photos, Same-Day Booking OK, Lowest Prices
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Check the application requirements when looking for companies!
Once your ID photo is taken, it's finally time to apply.
Which companies you choose is up to you, but there is one point every past graduate should pay attention to: the "application requirements" on a company's recruitment page.
Read them carefully.
Some postings specify the graduation year, for example: "Those who graduated from, or expect to graduate from, a university or vocational school between March 20XX and March 20XX." In other words, the graduation year may be restricted.
It seems that quite a few companies also hire daini-shinsotsu ("second-time new graduates": people within about 3 years of graduation), but the standard differs from company to company, so we recommend checking each one.
If you don't meet the requirements but really want to work for a particular company, submitting your entry sheet anyway may be one option. However, please be careful: there is a risk that the company will think you applied without reading the requirements.
One of the author's acquaintances sent an email saying, "I know I don't meet the requirements, but I'm very eager to join, so I'm sending my entry sheet," and got as far as an interview. So it might be worth trying as a strategy.
Summary
In this article, we covered how to start job hunting as a past graduate!
Some people may feel that being a past graduate is a disadvantage, but try to think of it as an uncommon experience that can become your own strength, and approach your search with a positive attitude.
- I 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.
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