Japanese for a job interview: keigo phrases

How Yoko opens the conversation

Yoko always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:

• 

  では、自己紹介じこしょうかいをお願ねがいできますか。

  Dewa, jiko shōkai o onegai dekimasu ka.

  Now then — could I ask you to introduce yourself?

  You could say

  はい。旅行りょこうが好すきで、応募おうぼしました。

  Hai. Ryokō ga suki de, ōbo shimashita.

  Yes. I love travel, so I applied.

Other ways it can begin

No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:

• 

  本日ほんじつはお越こしいただき、ありがとうございます。

  Honjitsu wa okoshi itadaki, arigatō gozaimasu.

  Thank you very much for coming in today.

  You could say

  こちらこそ、よろしくお願ねがいいたします。

  Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

  Thank you for having me. I look forward to speaking with you.

• 

  どうぞ、おかけください。お荷物にもつはそちらへ。

  Dōzo, okake kudasai. Onimotsu wa sochira e.

  Please, have a seat. You can put your bag over there.

  You could say

  ありがとうございます。失礼しつれいします。

  Arigatō gozaimasu. Shitsurei shimasu.

  Thank you. Excuse me, then.

• 

  こちらの場所ばしょは、すぐに分わかりましたか。

  Kochira no basho wa, sugu ni wakarimashita ka.

  Did you find this place all right?

  You could say

  はい、駅えきから近ちかくて助たすかりました。

  Hai, eki kara chikakute tasukarimashita.

  Yes, it was close to the station, which helped.

• 

  履歴書りれきしょを拝見はいけんしました。字じがお上手じょうずですね。

  Rirekisho o haiken shimashita. Ji ga ojōzu desu ne.

  I've looked at your application. Your handwriting is lovely.

  You could say

  ありがとうございます。とてもうれしいです。

  Arigatō gozaimasu. Totemo ureshii desu.

  Thank you very much. That makes me happy.

• 

  少すこし緊張きんちょうなさっていますか。大丈夫だいじょうぶですよ。

  Sukoshi kinchō nasatte imasu ka. Daijōbu desu yo.

  Are you a little nervous? It's all right.

  You could say

  はい、少すこし。でも、頑張がんばります。

  Hai, sukoshi. Demo, ganbarimasu.

  Yes, a little. But I'll do my best.

Phrases worth knowing here

Lines for what you do at the interview room, each with when you'd say it.

• 本日ほんじつはよろしくお願ねがいいたします。Honjitsu wa yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.Thank you for seeing me today.Say it right after sitting down, before the interview starts.
• 前職ぜんしょくでは接客せっきゃくを担当たんとうしておりました。Zenshoku de wa sekkyaku o tantō shite orimashita.In my previous job I handled customer service.Use when asked about your work history; おりました is the humble form.
• 御社おんしゃのツアー企画きかくに魅力みりょくを感かんじました。Onsha no tsuā kikaku ni miryoku o kanjimashita.I was drawn to your company's tour planning.A natural answer when Yoko asks your 志望動機.
• 一ひとつ伺うかがってもよろしいでしょうか。Hitotsu ukagatte mo yoroshii deshō ka.May I ask one question?Use at the end, when she asks if you have questions.
• 来月らいげつから勤務きんむ可能かのうです。Raigetsu kara kinmu kanō desu.I can start working from next month.Answer for when she asks when you could begin.

Words you'll hear

How polite to be

formal Here Yoko speaks keigo: the respectful and humble forms staff use with customers, and everyone uses with clients and superiors, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.

More scenes with Yoko

• First day at the office陽子（ようこ） · Officepolite
• Planning a trip陽子（ようこ） · Travel agencyformal
• Celebrating a finished project陽子（ようこ） · Izakayacasual
• Opening an account陽子（ようこ） · Bankpolite
• Registering where you live陽子（ようこ） · Ward officepolite
• A stain before a meeting陽子（ようこ） · Dry cleanerpolite
• A trip to the dentist陽子（ようこ） · Dental clinicpolite
• Checking in陽子（ようこ） · Airportformal
• A hot spring getaway陽子（ようこ） · Hot spring townformal

Or see every scene, with all four characters.