5 Tips For Writing Self-PR (自己PR）

Tips for job hunting Pt. 1

      With job hunting season now in full swing, many of you have already written your Self-PR(自己PR） and are practicing for future interviews. Self-PR（自己PR）is one of the most challenging (and important) aspects of resume writing/interviewing.  For those of you who don't know, Self-PR is what it sounds like: PR about you! Given the thousands of other applicants out there, Self-PR is what allows you to stand out as an individual. Depending on your level of experience (or lack thereof if you are just graduating!), your Self-PR alone can make the difference of whether or not you get the job.

Expressing your strengths and weaknesses in your own language is typically hard enough, let alone in another language. But don't worry because it's not just you - it's difficult for everyone.

Here's 5 tips to help you write Self-PR for resumes.

1.      Use concrete examples of skills or achievements that you made as a result of your work experience.

2.      Write in a positive manner your reasons for applying, reasons for changing jobs, goals and aspirations.

(※For example, don't write that your reason for changing jobs was because you didn't get along with your supervisor - write that you wanted a more challenging position.)

3.      Write about your experience or skills from the point of view of the business that you are applying to.

4.      Write clear, easy to understand sentences. Use your best handwriting. Be mindful of the reader.

5.      Your writing should demonstrate originality and charm the reader. If it doesn't the interviewer may forgot whose resume they are reading before they even finish.

(※There are a lot of examples on the Internet in Japanese.  While I recommend looking at them for general practice, avoid copying them directly. If you are an international student, don't forget to appeal to that fact. You are not the same as the Japanese applicants(in most cases this is a strength!), so don't write exactly the same kind of PR.

Lastly, the most effective way to improve your Self-PR is to keep practicing, writing and re-writing. For each job you apply to you should be adjusting your Self-PR so that it is targeted directly to that company.  The more you practice the easier it becomes. You may also discover a thing or two about yourself in the process.