Basic Interview Preparation for a Successful Career Change

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preparation for the day before

(1) Read aloud your submitted resume and CV.
Interview questions will be based on the content of your submitted resume and CV. By reviewing what you wrote and what appealed to them the day before, you will be able to answer the questions without being rushed on the day of the interview.

(2) Write down the appeal points you want to convey in a memo
It is always a good idea to write down and organize in advance the important things you want to convey in the short interview time, such as what you want to convey as a supplement or your best appeal.

(3) Record a video and watch it back
By recording yourself on video and watching it, you can objectively look at yourself from the perspective of the employer. You may notice that you seem less energetic than you expected, or that your voice is quieter and harder to hear, etc. It is a good idea to give it a try.

same-day preparation

(1) Clothing
First impressions can affect the selection process. It is important to check your clothing and personal appearance once again.

(2) Punctuality
Late arrivals are strictly prohibited, so please allow plenty of time to arrive at the venue 10 minutes early. Even if you are online, it is a good idea to enter through the link ahead of time and stand by. In the unlikely event that you will be late, please be sure to contact us at least 15 minutes before the appointed time.

(3) Cell Phone
Please set your cell phone to stop ringing as soon as you arrive at the venue.

(4) Be bright, energetic, and crisp
I think many of you were aware of this in your interviews as new graduates. Unfortunately, however, interviewers may give you feedback that you were “not energetic” or “did not show much enthusiasm” at mid-career interviews. First impressions are important in any situation, so be sure to be crisp and energetic, starting with your greeting. Whether or not you advance to the next round, there is no harm in leaving a good impression at the interview.

(5) Prepare reverse questions according to the interviewer.
Find out whether the interviewer is in HR or in charge of the department, and organize the questions you will ask here according to who will be in attendance. There is no need to prepare questions about salary, start date, etc., even though the interviewer is not in HR. Rather, this is an opportunity to dig deeper into the job description, so be prepared for that.

If there is something you wanted to ask during the interview that was difficult to ask on the spot or you forgot to ask, Please feel free to contact our consultants We will check with the company representative and get back to you. We will check with the company representative and get back to you.

(6) You don’t have an immediate answer during the interview.
If you are asked an unexpected question or you don’t have a quick answer, you can tell them, “May I take a moment?” rather than forcing an immediate answer. A response that is firm and conveys your personality along with specific details will leave a better impression than a shallow answer.

after an interview

After the interview, it is recommended that you review the entire interview and make notes. When the selection process is going on simultaneously at several companies, it is easy to forget what you said/heard. If your motivation for applying for the job is different between the first and second interviews, or if there are gaps in your answers, you may give an inexplicable impression and be sent off. Be sure to record what you tell them.

What questions were asked?
What questions were difficult to answer?
What did the company tell you about the job description and working style?

Read in conjunction with

自動車業界向け面接対策

PREP法とは？面接での活用法と転職成功への道

Common Questions Frequently Asked

The classic question.

There are some standard questions that are always asked in an interview, regardless of the industry. Please prepare in advance so that you do not panic on the spot when asked.

(1) Self-introduction

The interviewer is concerned about the interviewee’s self-introduction,

• First Impressions of Applicants
• communication skills
• Outline your work experience and how your experience can be used in your next career move

The following is a brief outline of your work experience that can be applied to the company you are applying for. After you have introduced yourself, you should briefly describe your work experience that can be applied to the company you are applying for .

(2) Reasons for applying

When asking the interviewee about his or her motives, the interviewer should

• Professional Strengths
• career plan
• Understanding of your company and feelings about your company

checks.

It is important to clearly explain why you chose that company out of the many companies and jobs available.

Each company has its own products, areas of expertise, company atmosphere, and treatment, all of which are unique. Be sure to explain in detail what you value in these areas and why your previous experience fits there.

(3) Work history

It is not necessary to tell all of the work you have been involved in chronologically. It is difficult to tell your entire career in a short amount of time, and it is difficult for the hiring manager to remember you.

It is important to find out in advance what your skills have in common with those required by the company, and to convey these briefly, as well as where, how, and to what extent you have acquired experience, knowledge, and aptitude that can be used universally. It is a good idea to include specific figures and other information.

For example, if you are applying for a sales-related position at an automobile parts manufacturer, summarize what the company would like to know about you, what products and services you have sold, to which complete vehicle manufacturers, how you devised ways to sell them, and what results and achievements you have achieved in a clear and concise manner. By focusing on what the company feels are the main issues, it will be easier for the company to get an idea of what they are looking for.

(4) Available time to enter the company

Interviewers often ask you about when you can join the company. They will ask how interested you are in the company and whether you can realistically join at the time they want to hire you. Be prepared to answer how you will respond. Basically, a typical start date is within 2-3 months. ( Approximately 3 months if it involves returning from an expatriate assignment, etc., or immediately if you are leaving the company).

To show that you are willing to join the company, clearly state when you can start working for the company. If there is a gap between when you will join the company and when you are ready to join, provide specific details about the background circumstances and show that you are eager to work for the company you want to join.

Example response:
Depending on the severance procedure, you may be able to join the company after the ● date next month.

(5) Reason for resignation

What the interviewer wants to know with this question is,

• Whether the person is capable of staying with the company for a long period of time after being hired.

It is. It is dangerous to speak out about dissatisfaction with your boss, treatment, or relationship problems.

If they think, “Will he/she quit for the same reason again?” If they think that you will quit for the same reason again, they will not hire you.
What is important is to convey the fact that you have reached the decision to change jobs as an unavoidable choice or as a step up in your career when you think about your future and the goals you want to achieve in your long career.

Keep a positive attitude and structure your speech as, “I have explored the possibility of solving the problems I am having at my current position while I am still there, but it is difficult to achieve, so I am considering a career change.

attention (heed)

When considering the reasons for changing jobs/leaving a job, what is the option of “remaining in the current position”?

• Is there an option to remain in the current position?
• If yes, what conditions would remain?

Dig deep often. If you leave it vague, the interviewer may run into you during the interview, and if you start thinking about it after the interview and after you actually receive an offer, you may not have an answer by the deadline for accepting the offer, and you may miss the opportunity to change jobs. This is a waste of time for your career and a disservice to the company.

Discuss this with your recruitment consultant and proceed with your job search to find a career that makes sense for you.

Consult with us first (free of charge)

(6) Salary *Caution!

Annual income is often asked during the first and final interview, especially during the interview when HR is present. In such cases, please be honest about your current annual salary. As for the desired annual salary, since the budget for recruitment is relevant, if the amount does not match the budget too much or the gap with the current annual salary is too large, we may have to turn away even the best candidate because the conditions are not suitable.

(Sample answer 1)
My current annual salary is — yen.
After joining the company, I would like to make the most of my previous experience and strive to achieve results as soon as possible.
I would be happy if you could offer me an annual salary equal to or higher than my current salary.

(Sample answer #2)
My current annual salary is — yen.
However, after joining the company, I would like to make the most of my previous experience to become an immediate asset to your company, so I would appreciate your evaluation of my market value and hope to earn the same or more than my current annual salary.

---

<Example of answers to avoid

× x “As I am currently earning 7 million yen, I would like to earn more than 8 million yen at your company.”

Do not base your hopes on your current annual income. The evaluation method will vary from company to company. It is smarter to focus your efforts on making the company think that you are the person they want to offer this much to.

Finally.

The interview is an “evaluation” to ensure that you and the company are a good match, as well as a “performance” to fully demonstrate your skills and experience to the company you are applying to. Regardless of the outcome, it is an important time that will affect your future.

The interview questions cover a wide range of topics, including self-presentation, reasons for applying, work history, reasons for changing jobs, and conditions, and they will delve into specifics, so you need to be well prepared.

Working together with an agent who knows the company well will increase your chances of being selected for an interview and lead to your ideal career. Turnpoint Consulting Turnpoint Consulting is an agency specializing in the automotive industry, and our consultants are well versed in market trends and companies, and have supported many registered candidates in their job search activities.