What questions should you ask in an interview for specified skilled workers? Here are some example questions and things to keep in mind

What is the style for interviewing specified skilled workers?

Interviews for specified skilled workers are conducted both face-to-face and online.
In many cases, the foreign nationals taking interviews live far away, so online interviews have become more common in recent years.

Typically, a recruiter from the host company will meet with the foreign national for an interview.
In addition, staff from the sending agency, interpreters, and if there are foreigners working at the receiving company, foreign employees may also be present.

specified skilled workers have acquired the "Specified Skills skills" residence status have Japanese language proficiency equivalent to level N4 or above on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, but the Japanese Language Proficiency Test is a test that measures reading and writing ability.
Many foreigners have difficulty with conversation.

During the interview, difficult matters such as working conditions will be covered, so it is a good idea to ask the sending agency to provide an interpreter to avoid any mistakes or misunderstandings.

In addition to an interview, a practical exam may also be conducted.
If you want to see for yourself how skilled they are, take a tour of their workplace and ask them to show you their work.

In most cases, there will be two or three interviews, but sometimes a candidate will be hired after just one.

What are some things to check and examples of questions to ask during interviews for specified skilled workers?

When accepting specified skilled workers, there are certain matters that you must check.
If you don't check carefully, it may lead to problems later on, so be sure to check the following points first.

We will also provide examples of specific questions to ask during the interview.

Things you need to check during interviews for specified skilled workers

During interviews for specified skilled workers, there are certain items that need to be confirmed, such as the contents of the residence card and proof of Japanese language proficiency.
In addition to the following points, please make sure you bring your passport as identification.

Does the item on your residence card allow you to work?

When accepting a foreigner, you must confirm their residence status. If you accept a foreigner without a residence status, you may be subject to legal action.

The following items will be checked for your residence card.

• Residence card number: Has the number expired?
• Status of residence: Is it listed as Specified Skills (No. 1 or No. 2)?
• Expiration date: Is there an expiration date?
• Permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence permitted: If permission has been granted, "Permission" will be displayed

If you are interviewing international students or technical intern trainees who plan to switch to Specified Skills, it is OK as long as their residence status is "study abroad" or "technical intern training."

You can check whether your residence card number has expired by visiting the Immigration Services Agency's Residence Card Number Expiration Information Inquiry.

Have you passed Specified Skilled Worker (i) Skill Assessment Test in the field of employment?

In order to work in Specified Skills, there are exams that must be taken for each field.
For example, if you are in the construction field, you will need to pass the Construction Field No. 1 skills evaluation exam.
Also make sure that the exam they are passing is in the field of work you want to be hired for.

There also seems to be a case of counterfeit residence cards.
In addition to looking at your residence card and the results of skills evaluation exam, you should also use this as a basis for determining whether you have the Japanese language ability necessary to acquire Specified Skills and whether you have properly obtained a residence status.

You will need to have a Japanese Language Proficiency Test result of N4 or above, or proof of passing the Japan Foundation's Basic Japanese Test.

It's a good idea to ask them to bring it with them to the interview.
To check whether a transcript is genuine, contact the exam administration organization.

However, if you have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii), you are exempt from the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.

Examples of questions to ask when interviewing specified skilled workers

During the interview, it is a good idea to start by asking basic questions such as the person's motivation for applying, why they came to Japan, why they chose this company/job, and their hopes for working.

In addition, including questions to get to know the person better and to find out about their enthusiasm and ambition for their work will make it easier to determine whether you will be able to work well together.

Now, let me introduce some example questions.

Examples of questions to find out your motivation for applying and your desired conditions

• Why did you choose to work in Japan?
• How long do you want to stay in Japan?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• What kind of job do you want to do?
• How much do you want to work and how much do you want to be paid?
• When can you start working?

To avoid a mismatch with the host company, make sure you are both on the same page regarding your motivations for applying and the conditions for acceptance.

It is important not only to ask questions, but also to explain the company's policies and goals, as well as the work you want them to do, and to make sure they understand before answering.

Sample questions to get to know the interviewer

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What is good about your country?
• What do you like about Japan?
• Have you had any problems living in Japan?
• What do your friends and family often say about you?
• When a problem occurs, how do you solve it?
• Is there anything you pay particular attention to in order to facilitate smooth communication?
• Please tell us if there is anything we should be careful about regarding the religion you believe in.

A person's personality also plays an important role in continuing to work.
You will be able to see their communication skills and proactiveness.

Of course, you can use the answers as a reference, but since many of the questions are relatively easy to answer, you can also check whether the person is speaking honestly and whether they are able to respond smoothly in Japanese.

Examples of questions to find out your enthusiasm and ambition for work

• How did you study Japanese?
• What skills or qualifications would be useful to work in this industry?
• Have you ever been scolded while working? What was the content of the scolding and how did you respond?
• What would you like to be able to do at this company?
• Do you have any dreams or future goals you want to achieve in Japan?

Asking questions about how they studied Japanese, their work experience, and their future plans is an opportunity to learn about their ambition.
Even if your technical skills are immature at the current stage, you can expect to grow if you have a strong desire to improve.

Also check points to note regarding interviews and acceptance

When accepting foreigners, there are times when care must be taken because their culture, ways of thinking, and customs are different from those in Japan.
We will also introduce some points to note when accepting an immigrant.

Ensure that you understand the terms of employment

This could lead to problems later on due to differences in employment conditions, so make sure that everyone understands through an interpreter or similar.

In terms of salary, let me explain that in Japan there are two types of salary: "take home pay" and "gross pay."
When talking about salary, it's important to be clear about which you are referring to and be on the same page.

Be sure to check the benefits and work location as well.

Check whether family consent is obtained

In some countries, family ties are strong and it is common for family members to interfere with where and under what conditions employees work.
As a result, even if the person being interviewed is motivated, it is not uncommon for their family to oppose the idea.

It is also necessary to check whether your family agrees with you working in Japan or for that company or industry.

Find out when you will start working

If you are an international student currently enrolled in school or a technical intern currently working in Japan, you will need to check when Specified Skills permit will be issued and when you will be able to start working.

In the case of international students, if they are hired before the Specified Skills permit is issued, their working hours may exceed the set "part-time work of up to 28 hours per week."
Remember that if you exceed the limit you could be deported or ordered to pay a fine.

For more information on accepting foreign workers, please see our article "Explaining how to accept foreign workers in the construction industry and the preparations required."
Please feel free to use this as a reference.

Summary: In Specified Skills interview, align your understanding through questions

In addition to face-to-face interviews, interviews for specified skilled workers are increasingly being conducted online in recent years.
If possible, request an interpreter to avoid any mistakes or misunderstandings.

Also, be sure to check that they meet the conditions for acceptance, such as residence status and passport.
If proper acceptance is not carried out, there is a risk of legal punishment.

It is often thought that the questions asked in interviews are unique to foreigners, but in reality they are not much different from the questions asked in interviews with Japanese people, such as asking about the person's motivation for applying and examining the person's personality and ambition through questions.

However, differences in culture and customs can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and mismatches.
It is especially important to carefully negotiate employment terms and conditions.

JAC will answer various questions regarding the acceptance of specified skilled workers in the construction industry.
If you are a company considering hiring specified skilled workers in the construction industry, please feel free to contact JAC!

*This article was written based on information from May 2023.