Best Hairstyles and Outfits for Your Job-Hunting ID Photo in Japan
The ID photo you use for job hunting in Japan (known as shukatsu) is a key part of the first impression you make on a company. It is also seen as a sign of whether you understand the business manners expected of new members of the workforce.
You know you should pay attention to your outfit and hairstyle, but you may not know how to fix them... Many job seekers feel this way. A poor impression in your ID photo can put you at a disadvantage during the selection process.
Use this article as a guide to help you submit a job-hunting photo you can feel confident about!
Contents
A dark-toned suit is the best choice
Wear a suit for your job-hunting ID photo. Suits come in many colors and styles, but the safe choice is a standard, understated one.
Suit color and style
A dark-colored suit is best. Navy or a dark charcoal gray close to black is generally preferred.
Darker colors give a calm impression, which makes them ideal for business formal wear.
For the cut, a simple single-breasted suit is the safe choice.
Avoid complicated designs and flashy patterns. It's best to choose a solid color or a fine stripe.
Choosing a shirt
We recommend a bright white or light blue shirt. These colors look clean and go well with a suit.
Keep the collar neat and fasten all the buttons.
We explain how to choose in more detail in these articles!
[Job-Hunting Basics] What Should You Wear for Your ID Photo? (Women's Edition) | Job-Hunting Photos at 19Studio Shinjuku | Same-Day Booking OK · Lowest Price
Not sure what to wear for your job-hunting ID photo? Take a look at this article! Women's suits come with a wide variety of shirts. We also introduce how each one changes your impression...
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[Little-Known Tips] How to Choose the Best Dress Shirt for Your Job-Hunting ID Photo | Job-Hunting Photos at 19Studio Shinjuku | Same-Day Booking OK · Lowest Price
If you're wearing a suit for your ID photo, what kind of dress shirt did you choose? If you haven't decided yet or are still unsure, please refer to this article! Even if you've already decided...
Tie color and pattern
Choose a muted tie color that blends well with your suit and shirt.
Understated patterns such as simple stripes or small dots are preferred. Avoid bright colors and large patterns, because the tie will draw more attention than your face.
How you tie it matters just as much as the color and pattern. If you have time to practice beforehand, use this article as a guide.
[Master It!] 4 Ways to Tie a Tie for Your Job-Hunting ID Photo | Job-Hunting Photos at 19Studio Shinjuku | Same-Day Booking OK · Lowest Price
In an ID photo that shows you from the chest up, the tie is one of the key elements. You'll want to tie it neatly to give a clean impression. However, for students, apart from school uniforms...
One handy trick is to use a clip-on tie. There are types that hook onto the shirt and types that loop around the neck under the collar, so choose whichever is easiest for you.
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A tie is a must when you wear a suit. If you rarely get the chance to wear one, you may not be good at tying it. This time, we introduce ties that give you a neat knot easily...
For job-hunting hair, a clean look is everything
The overwhelming key to your hairstyle is a clean, neat look. Regardless of gender or hair length, it is important to focus on looking tidy. Stray strands and a wet-look finish are a no. Save those for your personal time.
For men
A short, clean style is the standard. Keep the sides and back trimmed short, and don't let the top get too long, so the overall look is fresh and tidy. Avoid hair that covers your ears or bangs that fall over your eyes.
For women
Either tie your hair back neatly or sweep it back so your face is clearly visible. If your hair isn't long enough to tie back, use a bit of styling product to keep flyaway hairs under control.
We introduce recommended hairstyles for each hair length in detail in these articles!
[Job-Hunting Hair] Recommended Hairstyles for Your Job-Hunting ID Photo: Short & Bob Edition | Job-Hunting Photos at 19Studio Shinjuku | Same-Day Booking OK · Lowest Price
We introduce recommended job-hunting hairstyles by hair length. This time: short cuts to bobs. Even if you can't tie your hair back, simply keeping the area around your face tidy changes your impression a lot.
[Job-Hunting Hair] Recommended Hairstyles for Your Job-Hunting ID Photo: Medium Length Edition | Job-Hunting Photos at 19Studio Shinjuku | Same-Day Booking OK · Lowest Price
We introduce recommended job-hunting hairstyles by hair length. This time: medium hair. If you choose a style that's easy to do yourself from the ID photo stage, you can recreate the same look with confidence on your interview day...
[Job-Hunting Hair] Recommended Hairstyles for Your Job-Hunting ID Photo: Long Hair Edition | Job-Hunting Photos at 19Studio Shinjuku | Same-Day Booking OK · Lowest Price
We introduce recommended job-hunting hairstyles by hair length. This time: long hair. With so many ways to style it, you can go into job hunting with an easy-to-do hairstyle that feels like you!
Bangs
Keep your bangs out of your eyes and make sure the area around your face looks clean and open.
We often get asked, "Do I absolutely have to sweep my bangs to the side?" The answer is no. Unless a company specifically requires it, there is no rule that says you must sweep them aside.
If your hair length or natural texture keeps you from styling it neatly, it can end up looking messy instead. Don't force it. Do what you can to keep your bangs looking clean and tidy.
Healthy-looking, natural job-hunting makeup is the safe choice
Natural makeup is the standard. A finish that looks clean and healthy is ideal.
Avoid unusual eyeshadow or lip colors, and makeup with a lot of glitter or shimmer.
If your complexion tends to look pale, applying natural-colored lipstick and blush a little more firmly than usual will give you a healthy glow.
Be careful with colored contact lenses too. Natural-looking lenses with a modest colored diameter don't stand out much, but lenses with a bold outer ring, or ones that change your eye color to gray, blue, or green, are very noticeable.
It's safest either to skip them or to switch to a color and size that doesn't stand out.
Keep your expression natural and relaxed
When you have your photo taken, aim for a natural expression.
Instead of forcing a smile, it's important to relax. If your ID photo looks very different from how you are in person, it can work against you. We recommend choosing your expression based on your usual demeanor and the content of your self-introduction (jiko PR, the self-promotion you present to employers).
If you want to lift the corners of your mouth but it comes out stiff, try gently rubbing and massaging your cheeks and the area around your mouth with your hands first. This loosens your facial muscles. Then, instead of pulling the corners of your mouth straight up, imagine pulling them diagonally upward toward your ears. This makes it easier to create a natural smile.
For your gaze, look at the upper edge of the camera lens. This lifts your eyes slightly and gives the photo a look of confidence and seriousness.
Summary
By keeping these points in mind when you take your ID photo, you can show a sincere and honest attitude.
Job hunting is an important once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so prepare well and bring out your full potential.
With 19Studio's job-hunting ID photo plan, retouching such as flyaway hair removal, hair color correction, and removal of wrinkles in your jacket and shirt is all free. These edits take your clean, polished look up a level and support your job hunt.
In addition, the data for online submission, 6 printed photos, and retouching (skin smoothing and other edits) are all included.
You can also retake your photo as many times as you like within your time slot, so you can choose your favorite from several shots.
Based on interviews with interviewers at general companies and people with HR experience, we take ID photos that cover the points employers pay attention to. If you're not sure what kind of ID photo works for job hunting, leave it to us!
- 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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