When Should You Get Your Job-Hunting Photo Taken? The Best (and Worst) Times to Book
An ID photo is a must for job hunting in Japan (known as shukatsu). But when exactly should you go and get it taken?
In this article, we explain the best times to get your job-hunting photo taken, and the times of year you may want to avoid.
Even if you have to get your photo taken during a time we recommend avoiding, don't worry! We also share tips for those situations.
January–February Is the Recommended Time for Job-Hunting Photos! Just Be Aware That Bookings Fill Up
January and February are the months when the most students get their ID photos taken.
Many companies start accepting applications in March. To make sure you can submit your entry sheet (the application form used in Japanese job hunting) on time, the idea is to have your photo taken in January or February so that you have the prints in hand by the beginning of March.
The downside is that, because so many students book their photos at this time, photo studios get crowded.
You may not be able to get a reservation at a time that fits your schedule.
Ready for Winter Internships! October–November Offers Good Weather and Easier Bookings
October–November is recommended if you are applying for winter internships or targeting industries where selection starts early. Reservations are also relatively easy to get at this time.
On top of that, it isn't hot, so you don't need to worry about sweating, and it isn't so cold that your body tenses up in the middle-of-winter chill.
Another plus is that there is little pollen.
A runny nose or itchy eyes from pollen can leave your face looking red, so if you suffer badly from spring hay fever, having your photo taken in autumn is a good idea.
Summer Is Risky: Your Grooming Can Fall Apart!
In the hot summer, makeup and hairstyles easily get ruined by sweat, so the grooming you carefully did at home may already be falling apart by the time of your photo...
The long-sleeved suit jacket you wear for the shoot makes it even hotter, so you are likely to sweat even more.
Even if you take time to touch up before the shoot, it is hard to fix everything perfectly.
For that reason, we don't really recommend getting your ID photo taken in summer.
Still, there may be times when you have no choice but to get a new photo in summer.
If that's you, please come to your shoot prepared with clothing and items that help you beat the heat.
In the article below, we also share recommended heat-beating tips for summer job-hunting photos.
[Summer Recruitment & Internships] Can I Wear Short Sleeves for My Job-Hunting ID Photo?
What should you wear when job hunting in summer? Is business casual ("Cool Biz") okay for students too? Are short sleeves fine? Is a shirt alone enough? If you are getting your ID photo taken in the hot season, you may have the same questions…
Job-Hunting Photos at 19Studio Shinjuku | Same-Day Booking OK · Lowest Price 
In this article, we introduced the best times to get your ID photo taken.
If you get your photo taken at a time when your schedule is open and reservations are easy to get, you can approach your job hunt without rushing.
Each season has its own challenges, such as summer heat and spring pollen, so it's a good idea to take those into account when deciding when to book your shoot.
- 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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