[For foreigners] Interview preparation for working in the hotel industry! Frequently asked questions and key points for getting hired

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For foreigners who want to work in the Japanese hotel industry, the interview is a very important step. However, many people may feel that they don’t know what kind of questions they will be asked or are worried about Japanese interview etiquette. In an interview, not only the applicant’s skills and experience are emphasized, but also their motivation to work in Japan and their communication skills.

In this article, we will clearly explain the questions that foreigners are often asked in Japanese hotel job interviews and the points that interviewers pay attention to. Prepare well and go into the interview with confidence!

What interviewers pay attention to in a hotel job interview

In a hotel interview, the interviewer will check not only what you say, but also your appearance, attitude, etc. It is important to understand what is being evaluated and to prepare thoroughly for each.

Appearance is very important in an interview. A well-groomed appearance gives a good first impression and gives the impression that you are considerate to customers. In addition to your clothes and hairstyle, be careful not to cause discomfort with the length of your nails and perfume. If you look down or have a blank expression, you may be thought of as unsuitable for customer service work, so you need to be careful with your facial expressions and posture.

The interviewer also wants to know about you through your questions. From your answers to the questions, they are trying to see if you are willing to work long term and have the skills necessary for the job. They are also looking to see if you understand the meaning of the questions correctly and have no problems communicating in Japanese. Especially in hotel work, you often have to interact directly with customers, so it is important to be able to use honorific language. It’s okay if you make mistakes, so be conscious of using polite language.

At バリプラGlobal, we support foreigners who want to work in hotels and inns in Japan. If you have any concerns, we can help you with grooming checks and interview practice so that you can attend the interview with confidence. We also introduce jobs that are specialized in the accommodation and restaurant industries, so if you are interested, please check out the links below!

「宿泊業」「外食業」に特化した外国人の就職サポート　バリプラGlobal

Frequently asked questions for foreigners in interviews ① About yourself

In an interview, you will be asked many questions to find out what kind of person you are. In a hotel job, you will often be in contact with customers and staff, so your personality and character are very important. Relax and explain yourself clearly.

“Please introduce yourself.”

In an interview, you will almost always be asked to introduce yourself first. Briefly talk about your name, country of origin, career history, current situation, etc. The key is to keep it short, within 30 seconds to 1 minute. You will make a good impression if you can convey your experience and strengths related to the hotel industry.

Finally, end by saying, “That’s all. Thank you for your time today.”

“Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses.”

This is a question to find out how well you analyze and understand yourself. For your strengths, talk about your strengths that are useful for working in a hotel, such as your hospitality spirit and communication skills. If you can be as honest as possible about your weaknesses and tell them how you are trying to improve them, you will make a positive impression.

“Has anything surprised you or caused you any problems since coming to Japan?”

This question will show your adaptability to Japanese culture and life. If you have a problem, you can show your problem-solving ability by talking about how you solved it.

“What kind of person do people around you say you are?”

This question is aimed at getting to know your character and personality through the evaluations of your friends and colleagues. It would be a good idea to talk about strengths that you can apply to a hotel job, such as teamwork or customer service

Frequently asked questions for foreigners in interviews ② About career and skills

In the hotel industry, your work experience and skills are important. Experience in customer service or working in a team is especially likely to be highly valued. Here are some typical questions about your work experience and skills.

“What did you study at university?”

People who are starting work for the first time may be asked what they studied at university. In addition to your major and research topic, you should also specifically explain why you became interested in that field. Also, if you can explain how you can use what you have learned in the hotel industry, you can show your enthusiasm for the job.

“Have you had any experience in customer service?”

Even if you don’t have experience in hotels, if you have experience working in a restaurant or in sales, it will be an appealing point. If you include specific anecdotes, your story will be more persuasive, so if you have experience, including part-time work, be sure to talk about it. Even if you don’t have experience, you can show your enthusiasm by explaining how you can use what you have learned so far.

“What did you put your effort into in particular?”

In this question, you will talk about the things you have worked hard on in your previous customer service jobs, part-time jobs, and studies. The interviewer wants to see your enthusiasm and sense of responsibility for your work, so it is a good idea to explain with specific anecdotes.

“Please tell us an episode where a customer was pleased.”

In this question, you should talk about an experience where a customer expressed their gratitude to you. Working in a hotel requires you to provide services that satisfy customers, so be specific about what you did to make them happy.

“Have you ever dealt with a complaint? How did you handle it?”

In a hotel job, you may have to deal with complaints from customers. This question tests whether you can calmly deal with problems or difficulties. If you don’t have experience, answer by thinking about how you would deal with them.

“What do you think is important when working in a team?”

Hotel work is all about teamwork, and this question is trying to gauge whether you’re suited to working in a team, so make sure you convey that you’re willing to cooperate.

Frequently asked questions for foreigners in interviews ③ Reasons for applying and conditions

During the interview, you will be asked in detail about your reasons for applying, such as “Why do you want to work in Japan?” and “Why did you choose to work in a hotel?” The hotel wants to know if you will be there for a long time and whether you really want to work in a hotel. If your reasons for applying are vague, they may distrust you and think that “any company will do” or that you have low motivation, so it is important to have a clear reason. It is a good idea to answer specifically, linking it to your experience and future goals.

“Please tell us why you came to Japan.”

In this question, you can talk about why you became interested in Japan and your experiences here. If you came here to study or work, explain your reasons in detail.

“Why do you want to work in Japan?”

In this question, it is important to clearly communicate why you want to work in Japan. In addition to reasons such as “I like Japanese culture” or “I want to learn about customer service,” be sure to specifically explain why Japan is a good choice. Linking it to your future goals will make a better impression.

“Why do you want to work in the hotel industry?”

In this question, it would be a good idea to talk about your interest in the hotel industry and why you can utilize your strengths. If you can explain how your experience can be linked to work in the hotel industry, you will be more persuasive and demonstrate your enthusiasm.

“Why do you want to work at this hotel?”

The hotel wants to know “why you chose this hotel instead of other hotels.” Research the characteristics and services of the hotel you are interviewing at in advance and answer as specifically as possible. You will be highly evaluated if you can also explain how you can utilize your skills.「

“What kind of work do you want to do?”

There are various jobs in a hotel, such as at the front desk, in the restaurant, in planning and PR, etc. Be specific about the type of work you would like to do. Even if you have no experience, it is important to show that you are willing to learn.

Frequently asked questions for foreigners in interviews ④ About the future

The interviewer wants to see what kind of goals the applicant has for the job and whether they will work for the company for a long time. Here, you should prepare to talk specifically about your skill development and future career so that you can demonstrate your strong motivation to work.

“Are there any skills you’d like to acquire?”

In this question, you can show your strong ambition by talking about “why you want to acquire that skill” and “how you want to use it in your work.” It is a good idea to talk about skills necessary for the customer service industry, such as Japanese language, communication skills, and management skills.

“What are your career plans for the next 3 to 5 years?”

Interviewers want to know that you have a clear goal in mind when it comes to your job, so tell them what career aspirations you have and what specific goals you have.

“How long do you plan to stay in Japan?”

By asking how long you will be in Japan, they will check whether you are willing to work long term. If you plan to return to your home country in a short time, be honest and show your enthusiasm for the job. However, if you are applying for a full-time position, you should understand that if you say “about a year”, you will be more likely to be rejected.

Other questions

In addition to basic questions, you may also be asked about your reasons for changing jobs and the status of your application during the interview. Prepare your answers in advance so that you can speak calmly.

“Please tell us the reason for changing jobs (leaving your job)”

In this question, you should explain why you left your previous job. Avoid talking about negative things such as dissatisfaction with the company. Instead, talk about positive reasons such as wanting to grow in your new workplace.

“Have you applied to any other companies?”

By asking about the selection process, the hotel wants to make sure there is no possibility that you will go to another company if they offer you a job. There is no problem in answering honestly, but as a company, they want to offer a job to someone who is as motivated as possible, so it is important to convey that “this company is my first choice.”

“Do you have any questions?”

At the end of an interview, you may be asked “Do you have any questions?” This is called a “reverse question” and is set up as a place to resolve the applicant’s doubts and concerns. Not only that, but they are also trying to check your willingness to work and your level of interest in the company through this question, so if you don’t ask anything, they may think you’re not interested. If you ask questions that were explained during the interview or that you can find out by researching, it will not leave a good impression, so prepare the questions you want to ask in advance.

Impress the interviewer and get hired

This time, we introduced questions that foreigners are often asked in interviews at Japanese hotels. Through these questions, the interviewer is trying to know about you, your past experiences, your thoughts on work, etc. Make sure you understand the intention of the question correctly and answer each one carefully. Even if you are not confident in your Japanese, you can make a good impression by smiling and speaking clearly.

Also, first impressions are important in interviews. Make sure your shirt is wrinkle-free, your hair is clean, and you are well-groomed before heading to the interview. Especially in hotel work, you often interact with customers, so you need to pay attention not only to your appearance, but also to your facial expressions and posture. Interviewers use these points to determine whether you are suited to customer service and whether you are motivated to work. Hotel work is a rewarding job that provides customers with a comfortable time. Make sure you prepare well so that you can appeal to your strengths and charms in the interview.

At バリプラGlobal, we support foreigners who want to work in Japanese hotels and inns. We provide various support to help you work in Japan with peace of mind, such as visa applications, immigration procedures, and daily life, and introduce jobs specializing in the “accommodation” and “restaurant” industries. If you are interested, please check out the link below!

「宿泊業」「外食業」に特化した外国人の就職サポート　バリプラGlobal