How to Write a Resume That Actually Gets You Interviews (and Helps You Find Jobs in Japan)
17 Apr 2025 23:20
A few days ago, an old friend reached out to me for help reviewing his resume. Knowing that I used to work in recruitment for companies like Apple Japan and Tesla Motors Japan, he was looking for a second opinion before applying for a senior role at another global tech company here in Japan.
On paper, his experience was solid. He had all the right skills and qualifications, and his background made him a strong candidate. But as I looked through his resume, it quickly became clear that a few simple adjustments could significantly improve his chances of standing out from the crowd and being called in for an interview.
That conversation inspired me to write this article.
I realized that many job seekers—whether they're applying for IT jobs in Japan or more general roles—might be making the same mistakes without even realizing it. So I decided to organize and share the same practical advice I gave my friend: actionable tips that can help you optimize your resume and boost your chances of landing an interview at your dream company.
Whether you're targeting tech startups, SMEs, or large enterprise companies hiring in Japan, a well-optimized resume can make all the difference when it comes to getting your foot in the door.
Here’s the reality…
Recruiters today are overwhelmed (especially those who work for large, globally renowned brands). They’re juggling multiple responsibilities such as candidate sourcing, interview scheduling, interviewing, reporting, running employer branding initiatives, organizing career events, creating social media recruiting content—and the list goes on…
They may receive hundreds of applications per job posting, but due to their packed schedules, studies show that they often only spend 6 to 10 seconds scanning through each resume.
Most companies also use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and AI screening tools to help manage applications more efficiently and reduce manual work. If your resume isn’t optimized for AI matching—if it doesn’t include the appropriate keywords and skills—it might never make it to a human recruiter’s desk, no matter how qualified you are.
In this context, your resume needs to do two jobs:
Impress and connect with the human recruiter (HR member)
Pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and AI screening tools
Here are my main tips to help you (as a job seeker) increase your application-to-interview conversion rate in Japan.
Jobs in Japan - Write a resume that works and boosts your career in Japan
1. Customize Your Resume with Keywords from the Job Description
Before you click "submit," take time to carefully read the job description and identify the key qualifications, specific keywords, skills, tools, certifications, and experience the employer is looking for. Once you have identified them, then, do your best to incorporate those keywords into your resume, especially in your summary, skills section, and job experience bullet points.
Both ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), AI Matching tools and "human" recruiters scan resumes looking for relevant matches. If your resume is missing some of the language used in the job post, it is possible you may be overlooked even if you're a perfectly good fit for the job.
💡 Remember to create a master version of your resume, and make quick, targeted edits for each role you apply for. It requires a little extra time and effort but it is extremely effective and will help you get noticed.
🛑 Important Note: Customizing your resume doesn’t mean exaggerating or including skills you don’t actually have. The goal is simply to present your real experience and strengths in the most relevant, strategic way possible using the appropriate language to make them resonate with each specific employer.
2. Use a Clean and Easy-to-Read Resume Layout
Stick to a simple, professional format. Unless you’re applying for a design or creative role, there’s no real advantage in using non-traditional layouts. A clean and consistent structure makes it easier for both in-house recruiters and AI screening tools to process your resume content.
Make sure to use uniform fonts and sizes, consistent spacing and margins, and clearly labeled sections such as:
Contact Information (In Japan, it’s common to include your full name, email address, home address, and a professional photo. If you choose to include a photo, make sure it reflects positive energy—genuine smile, neat appearance, and appropriate attire. If you don’t have a quality photo, it’s better to leave it out if you apply just with an English resume.)
Summary
Skills(Hard & Soft Skills, along with relevant Tags or Keywords)
Work Experience
Education
Certifications
Additional Interests or Projects
Recommended length:
1 page if you have less than 5 years of work experience
Up to 2 pages is acceptable if you have more experience and relevant achievements
💡Cluttered resumes will slow down recruiters and frustrate them. A well-organized, short, concise, scannable layout will help them quickly find relevant information and improves your chances of making it to the interview stage.
How to build an impactful resume to find a job in Japan
3. INVEST TIME TO WRITE aN IMPACTFUL Summary Section
Your summary should be placed at the very top of your resume. It acts as your elevator pitch, a quick, impactful snapshot of who you are, what you bring to the table, and what type of opportunity you’re looking for. Keep it short and to the point with maximum 3 to 4 lines that highlight your background, key skills, and professional focus.
💡 Try to customize this section to reflect the company’s culture, values, and priorities. For example, if you’re applying to Apple, emphasize your creativity, attention to detail, cross-functional collaboration, and passion for design and customer experience. Companies often list their values on their websites so do take a moment to study them and align your message accordingly.
Recruiters often decide within seconds whether they want to keep reading. A well-written summary that shows both your qualifications and your cultural fit can instantly capture attention and increase your chances of landing an interview or at the very least, encourage them to read further down.
4. Showcase Your Hard and Soft Skills Using Keywords
Create a dedicated “Skills” section that highlights your key qualifications using clear, scannable keywords or tags. This is one of the first areas both ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and recruiters look at when reviewing resumes.
Include a balanced mix of:
Languages + Proficiency Levels (e.g., Japanese – Fluent, English – Native)
Technical Skills, Tools & Software (e.g., Ruby on Rails, Python, React, AWS, DevOps, AI Engineering, Adobe Photoshop, etc.)
Soft Skills & Interpersonal Strengths (e.g., communication, problem-solving, public speaking, team collaboration, leadership, etc.)
Other Relevant Core Competencies (Tailored to your industry or job function)
💡 Think like a recruiter. What keywords would they use to search for a candidate like you? Make sure those keywords are present in your resume.
Including this section not only boosts your visibility in search results but also helps recruiters and hiring managers quickly understand your capabilities—both technical and interpersonal—right from the start.
5. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities
In your work experience section, don’t simply list what you were “in charge of” in previous roles. Instead, remember to focus on what you actually accomplished in each role. Recruiters are more interested in the impact you made than your job duties. Likewise, hiring managers care more about results than your job descriptions; so show them how you contributed to your company’s growth and success. This will build your credibility and help you stand out from other applicants.
Use Action Verbs Start each bullet point with verbs such as Led, Created, Designed, Improved, Delivered, or Launched. This communicates confidence, leadership and ownership.
Quantify Your Achievements Whenver possible (and without sharing any confidential information from your employer), try to use numbers to illustrate your impact such as:
Revenue growth (¥ or %)
Cost savings (¥ or %)
Efficiency improvements
Time saved
Size of teams or budgets handled etc.
Examples:
"Increase company revenue by 10% in 2024"
“Reduced operational costs by ¥10M/year by optimizing vendor contracts.”
“Increased app downloads by 150% through UX redesign.”
"Recruited 100% of open budgeted roles in 2024 and 2025"
Numbers offer concrete evidence of your success and make your resume more persuasive and easier to understand.
💡 Think like a hiring manager. Ask yourself "What kind of teammate would you want to hire if I was the hiring manager? Highlight the skills and accomplishments that best align with that vision. Make sure your achievements reflect the company’s expectations and values—especially for roles in sales, engineering, procurement, or other results-driven functions.
How do recruiters interpret your interests? Optimize your resume to land interviews and find jobs in Japan.
6. Include a Strong “Interests” Section
Most candidates overlook this section, but it’s a valuable opportunity to showcase your personality, values, and traits that may not be reflected in your work experience. In Japan, where cultural fit is highly valued, this section can help you create an emotional connection with potential employers.
Behind each interest, hobby, or passion lies a side of your personality that can be perceived as an asset for a particular job. Don’t hesitate to highlight interests that demonstrate qualities employers are looking for. Wherever possible, frame them as accomplishments or meaningful experiences that reflect qualities such as discipline, initiative, or teamwork.
Here is a short list of Interests and How Recruiters Might Interpret Them:
Ironman Triathlon Finisher → Demonstrates discipline, mental toughness, and long-term goal setting — ideal for performance-driven roles like sales or consulting.
Lived and worked in Africa, the United States, and Japan → Shows adaptability, a global mindset, cross-cultural communication skills, and language proficiency.
Captain of a football team → Indicates competitiveness, leadership, teamwork, and accountability.
Organizer of tech meetups or networking events → Suggests strong communication skills, initiative, community building, and potential as a brand ambassador.
Social media content creator / influencer → Reflects creativity, digital literacy, confidence, ability to do public speaking and be in front of the camera and the ability to build an audience or promote a brand.
Avid reader or self-study learner → Indicates curiosity, personal development orientation, and a continuous learning mindset.
Charity fundraising for Fukushima relief (e.g., raised ¥3,000,000) → Shows empathy, social responsibility, desire to do the right thing and commitment to giving back.
Dog Training → A simple but effective way to show patience and connection-building skills; and let’s be honest, many people love dogs so it is an easy way to establish common ground with your interviewer(s).
💡 A few more tips to make the most of this section:
Focus on interests that reflect action, passion, initiative, or dedication.
Avoid passive or overly generic hobbies like “watching Netflix” or “playing video games” — unless directly relevant to the role (e.g., game developer or content creator).
Think of each interest as a chance to showcase a transferable skill or unique trait.
This is the only section of your resume where you can build an emotional connection and show cultural fit. It can also help break the ice at the beginning of an interview if the interviewer chooses to ask about your passions — a great way to start the conversation on a personal and positive note.
7. REGROUp Degrees and Certifications in the Education Section
Showcase Continuous Learning and Professional Development
Your education section shouldn't stop at degrees. Be sure to also include relevant certifications, training programs, and online courses to show your dedication to self-improvement and personal growth — a quality that is highly sought after by employers, particularly in tech and innovation-driven industries.
Examples:
JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
Online tech courses
LeWagon Tokyo, Code Chrysalys Coding bootcamps
Etc...
Companies value professionals who invest in their own personal growth. Lifelong learning is more than a buzzword — it's a powerful signal of your adaptability and motivation to stay relevant in the market so do make sure to highlight it prominently in your resume.
8. Emphasize Cultural Fit, Local Insight & Global Mindset
When applying to global companies or international roles in Japan, it's important to show that you can work across cultures.
Many foreign-affiliated companies (Gaishikei) seek talent with a global mindset — someone who can collaborate with international teams, adapt to different working styles, and still understand the unique aspects of doing business in Japan.
Example statement: “Bilingual in English and Japanese. 5 years’ experience working in cross-cultural teams across Asia and the U.S.”
Cultural awareness is a competitive advantage. Make sure your resume reflects your adaptation skills and your ability to thrive in both local and international environments.
9. Include Links to Your LinkedIn or Online Portfolio
If they are interested in your background, recruiters are most likely going to Google you so why not make thing easy on them and guide them to the content that best reflects your skills and personality? It’s a great way to reinforce your personal brand and stand out from the crowd.
Add clickable links to platforms that highlight your work and showcase your expertise:
LinkedIn profile
Research publications or media coverage
GitHub (for software engineers)
Personal website or online portfolio
Tech blog or Medium articles
YouTube channel (for relevant content) or a video resume
Design portfolio (especially for creatives and front-end developers)
10. Proofread YOUR RESUME — DETAILS MATTER
A resume with typos or formatting issues can send the wrong message — especially for roles that require attention to detail like finance, engineering, or programming.
Before you send your resume, check for:
Spelling and grammar errors
Consistent fonts and formatting
Proper page breaks and layout
Clean margins and visual alignment
Small mistakes can cost you big opportunities. Take the extra time to get it right.
Build a resume to access the best jobs in Japan
TREAT YOUR RESUME LIKE Your PERSONAL BRANDING AND Marketing Tool
Think of your resume as your personal branding tool. It’s not just a list of experiences — it's your pitch, your conversion tool. It's designed to inspire interest and make people want to meet with you. Its main purpose? To land interviews and open doors for you.
Keep these key tips in mind:
Make it easy to scan — for both recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Customize it for each role whenever possible.
Focus on results and accomplishments, not just job duties.
Balance technical skills, soft skills and a bit of personality as well
Your resume is your first impression so please invest time in it and make the most of it to land interviews, open doors, and create opportunities for your career in japan!
Ready to build a resume that stands out?
👉 Try the Resume Builder on HirePlanner.com — built specifically for job seekers in Japan.
Let’s get you that interview.
Written by Fabien BROGARD CIPRIANI Founder & CEO of HirePlanner.com Former Talent Acquisition Lead at Apple Japan and Tesla Motors Japan
