7 Questions You May Be Asked in a Casual Interview in Japan

To prepare for questions in a casual interview, organize seven topics: your current work, why you are considering a move, work you would like to do, your interest in the company, timing, working preferences, and strengths.

If you have not decided to apply, you do not need a finished motivation statement. Explain that you are comparing options or want to learn more, then describe your experience and preferences concretely. This article covers answering the company's questions. For questions you can ask the company, see our 30 questions to ask in a casual interview.

Why companies ask questions in a casual interview

A company needs to understand your background and interests to decide which roles or teams to introduce. Questions can help the representative find connections with available jobs and tailor their explanation, rather than simply encourage an application.

The label “casual interview,” however, does not establish its relationship to selection. Check the invitation to see whether this is an introductory conversation before applying or part of the hiring process. If unclear, ask at the beginning: “Am I right in understanding that today's meeting is an opportunity to exchange information?” That helps you decide how much to discuss.

Our guide to casual interviews explains their purpose and usual flow. The seven questions below are preparation examples; every company will not necessarily ask the same seven questions.

Seven questions and example answers

Try answering in the order “current situation, specific example, what I would like to learn today.” The following examples use fictional candidates. Replace their experiences and any figures with your own facts.

1. What kind of work do you currently do?

Go beyond your job title and explain what you do and for whom. Give enough detail for the representative to suggest a relevant team, rather than listing technical terms.

Example: “I work in sales for a business service. Alongside new proposals, I help customers use the service after implementation. Recently, I have become interested in connecting sales and operations. I would like to understand how much customer support your sales team handles.”

Even if you have stayed with one company since graduation, a long company introduction is unnecessary. Separate your responsibilities, personal role, and areas of interest.

2. Why are you considering changing jobs?

Explain both a challenge in your current role and what you hope to achieve elsewhere. You do not need to put an artificially positive spin on difficulties, but avoid making your answer only an assessment of other people.

Example: “Most of my current work focuses on short-term sales targets. I would also like to build processes that help customers continue using the service, so I am researching environments where I could broaden my role. I have suggested improvements at my current company, but my responsibilities have limits.”

If you are dissatisfied, describe facts such as “the responsibilities differ from what I originally expected” rather than “my manager is bad.” You do not need to disclose confidential sales figures or customer names.

3. What kind of work would you like to do next?

You can describe tasks you want to do more of and experience you want to use even without a definite job title. “I want to grow” alone does not tell the company which roles to introduce.

Example: “I have not settled on one job title. I would like to spend more time identifying customer problems and working with development and operations teams on improvements. I am comparing sales planning and customer support roles where I could use my proposal experience.”

For a career change, distinguish relevant experience from knowledge you still need to acquire. Recognizing what you must learn can help you obtain realistic information about the role.

4. Why are you interested in our company?

Before applying, you can still explain what first interested you. Identify the part of the vacancy or business you want to understand better rather than praising the whole company.

Example: “The vacancy's reference to supporting customers after implementation caught my attention. I do not yet understand how responsibilities are divided between sales and customer support. I would like to hear about the actual scope and consider how it connects with my experience.”

If a recruiter message prompted the conversation, say so. Add one point you researched afterward: “Your message led me to look into the business, and I became interested in X.”

5. What is your timeline, and are you interviewing elsewhere?

The company may ask to plan follow-up and scheduling. Distinguish researching options, starting applications, and actively interviewing, and explain any firm deadlines.

Example: “I am still gathering information and have not decided on a resignation date. After comparing responsibilities and narrowing down applications, I will consider my current company's handover period. I plan to speak with several companies this month.”

You do not need to disclose every company name or interview detail. If you prefer not to name companies, you can preserve useful scheduling information: “I would rather not share the names, but I am at first-interview stage for similar roles.”

6. Do you have preferences about pay, location, or working arrangements?

Separate preferences from requirements. Treating every flexible preference as essential could restrict available options; leaving essential conditions vague can make later adjustments harder.

Example: “I prefer to work in Tokyo. Relocation is difficult, so location matters to me, but I can discuss office attendance based on the work and commute. I would like to consider salary after understanding the responsibilities and any fixed overtime allowance.”

If discussing figures, distinguish current annual income from desired income. Explain expectations through experience and responsibilities, and do not assume that a casual conversation finalizes employment conditions.

7. What are your strengths or achievements?

An achievement need not be dramatic. Explain a problem and your own actions, separating the team's result from your contribution.

Example: “Customer inquiries were scattered across sales representatives, so I organized recurring issues for sharing. I classified the inquiries and checked details with operations, and the team created response materials. We did not measure the impact numerically, but organizing information and working across departments are strengths I can bring.”

Do not invent numbers for an unmeasured result or claim work you did not do. Clear boundaries make follow-up questions easier to answer.

How to explain limited interest in changing jobs or an unfinished motivation statement

Saying only “I am not looking to move immediately” leaves the representative uncertain what to explain. Add why you accepted the meeting and what information you want to take away.

• No immediate move planned: “I am not planning an immediate move, but I want to learn about X as a future option.”
• Motivation not yet settled: “Before deciding whether to apply, I want to understand the responsibilities and expected experience.”
• Comparing career directions: “I am comparing X and Y. I would like to understand where my experience is useful and what I would need to learn.”

You do not need to promise an application or acceptance to appear enthusiastic. If your interest changes after the meeting, communicate your decision at that point.

What to do when you cannot answer immediately

Take time rather than inventing an answer: “May I take a moment to organize my thoughts?” For a broad question, clarify its meaning: “Are you asking about my work experience?”

For a figure you cannot recall, say, “I will check the exact number before sharing it.” For confidential information, limit your response: “I cannot disclose the details, but my own responsibilities were…”

If a personal question's relevance to the work is unclear, ask what the company wants to establish. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare cautions against collecting matters such as registered domicile, family circumstances, and beliefs during recruitment. See its fair recruitment guidance.

A seven-line answer memo is enough

Write one line for each topic rather than a long script. Check that every answer includes a real responsibility or preference. Review your timeline and essential conditions immediately before the meeting to reduce conflicting explanations.

Three clear points—for example, interest in customer support, deciding whether to apply after learning about the role, and inability to relocate—can give the entire conversation direction. You do not need to memorize exact wording.

See our casual interview preparation checklist for company research and practical arrangements. If you move into formal selection, broaden your preparation with 50 job interview questions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be ready to apply if asked why I want to join?

For an introductory discussion before applying, explain what interests you and what you want to establish first. Expectations may differ if it is part of selection, so confirm the meeting's purpose.

What if I do not want to discuss why I am leaving?

You do not need to explain private circumstances or internal company details. Focus on what you want from the next environment, such as doing more of a particular type of work.

How long should my answers be?

Start with a brief point and example, then add detail in response to follow-up questions. Leave room for the other person to ask rather than aiming for a fixed number of seconds.

Preparing for a casual interview means organizing your experience, preferences, and uncertainties. When you can explain the seven topics in your own words, the information you want from the company also becomes clearer.