Shukatsu is the unique Japanese job-hunting process, primarily for university students. It's a highly competitive system that can offer both great opportunities and immense pressure. But what exactly is Shukatsu, and how does it work? Let's dive into the world of Japanese job hunting and uncover the strategies and challenges faced by students.
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How `Shukatsu` works in Japan
In Japan, most university students begin their job hunt during their third year and secure a job offer before they even graduate.
Despite having little work experience, many students actually receive multiple job offers. In fact, around 95% of the class of 2024 successfully found employment.
The majority of new graduates start their jobs on April 1st of the year they graduate. Because they lack experience, most companies begin with comprehensive training programs — I personally went through a three-month training period. Of course, we receive a salary during this training period.
The Downsides of Shukatsu: What Students Really Think
You might think that "Shukatsu" sounds like a beneficial system for students. But what do Japanese students really think about the process?
According to a survey by 株式会社学情（https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001027.000013485.html), over 90% of students reported feeling some anxiety about Shukatsu. Their top concerns include whether they'll receive a job offer, find a company they like, and secure their desired position.
These anxieties are quite common, and there are several reasons why.
Reason 1
Many large corporations in Japan offer new graduate positions that don't require prior work experience. However, these positions are typically only available to recent graduates. Once you've been out of university for a while, it becomes much more difficult to enter these companies, especially without any work experience.
Some companies also offer preferential treatment to employees hired through their new graduate programs. Given that many Japanese companies still have seniority-based systems, these employees can expect to climb the corporate ladder relatively quickly and enjoy higher salaries earlier in their careers.
This creates a strong incentive for students to secure a position with a major company right out of university.
Reason 2： The Challenge of Finding the Perfect Fit
Before we dive into the third reason, let's talk about the sheer number of companies hiring new graduates. According to the Nikkei Business(https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/plus/00056/031500013/), there are approximately four million companies offering new graduate positions in Japan.
With so many options, how do students find the company that is the right fit for them?
Since students are juggling both their studies and their job search, they have limited time to research and apply to various companies. As a result, many tend to focus on well-known, large corporations. While this might seem like a safe bet, it often leads to another problem.
Reason 3: The Fierce Competition for Top Companies
When a large number of students apply to a small number of highly sought-after companies, the competition becomes incredibly intense.
For instance, according to Toyo Keizai(https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/841639?display=b), the competition ratio to get into a company like Itochu Corporation can be as high as 314:1. Similarly, a food processing company like Kagome can have a competition ratio of 315:1. With odds like these, it's no wonder that many students struggle to secure positions at their dream companies.
If a student only applies to these prestigious companies, he or she must miss out on the opportunity to secure a new graduate position.
if they miss
If students miss out on the new graduate job market, what options do they have? There are several.
First: For now, get into any company that's hiring.
They could choose to accept a position at any company that hires them. Given the number of companies in Japan, there are plenty of opportunities, regardless of the company's size.
Once they gain some work experience, they can apply for the company they originally wanted to join through mid-career recruitment.
Second: decide to postpone graduation
If they want to enter a corporation as a new graduate, they might decide to delay their graduation. In Japan, many companies don't care about students taking an extra year to graduate.
Some students may also choose to pursue graduate school to avoid a gap in their resume. They can then try to find a job as a graduate student through new graduate positions.
Third: Second Graduate
They could graduate as planned and then re-enter the job market as a "second graduate", a term used for individuals who graduated within the last three years.
This option has some drawbacks compared to being a new graduate, but some companies offer similar opportunities to second graduates.
Strategy of students
Some students anticipate the intensity of the job search process and begin preparing well in advance.
Apply for internships
Many companies offer internships to undergraduate students, and these often last for a week or more.
These internships may be unpaid, but students pursue them for the advantage they offer when applying for new graduate positions with the same company.
Because internships are short-term, students often participate in multiple ones, particularly during summer vacation.
Recommendation slot
University students are often required to write a thesis on their major in their final year of college. They then choose a laboratory aligned with their major and interests.
However, some laboratories have connections with certain companies. So some students study diligently to join these laboratories, hoping to ease their job search process.
Closing Remarks
Thank you for reading my article today. I hope you found the information helpful.
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