A Japanese job listing asks for both 履歴書 and 職務経歴書. The first records your basic profile and education and work chronology; the second explains what you did, how you did it, and what skills you can bring to this role. Start with the employer’s submission instructions, then make a concise career history tailored to the position. You can include relevant work outside Japan; give the employer enough context to understand the company, role and results.
Japan’s public employment service, Hello Work, explains the two documents and offers a guide to resumes and career histories and a more detailed 職務経歴書 preparation pamphlet. Follow any format and language requested in the particular job listing.
Japanese headings you may see
| Japanese | Reading | What it asks for |
|---|---|---|
| 職務経歴書 | shokumu keirekisho | Career history document |
| 職務要約／職務概要 | shokumu yōyaku / shokumu gaiyō | Short overview of relevant experience |
| 職務経歴 | shokumu keireki | Roles and employers, with periods |
| 会社概要／事業内容 | kaisha gaiyō / jigyō naiyō | What the employer does; useful if an overseas company is unfamiliar |
| 所属／役職 | shozoku / yakushoku | Department / position |
| 担当業務／業務内容 | tantō gyōmu / gyōmu naiyō | Your actual responsibilities |
| 実績／成果 | jisseki / seika | Results or achievements |
| 活かせる経験・スキル | ikaseru keiken / sukiru | Experience and skills useful in the new job |
| 資格・免許 | shikaku / menkyo | Relevant qualifications and licenses |
| 自己PR | jiko pīāru | Evidence-based case for your fit |
| 志望動機 | shibō dōki | Why you want this particular role, if requested or useful |
There is no single fixed 職務経歴書 layout like a preprinted form. Hello Work’s materials describe choices of headings and organization. A company template, if supplied, takes priority. The MHLW Job Card explanation also compares the two documents.
Build the document from the job requirements
- Read the listing first. Note the required duties, language, qualifications and submission method. Our Japanese job listing guide helps decode these fields.
- Make a timeline. For each employer, record dates, organization and location, job title and core duties. Use consistent dates across the 職務経歴書 and your 履歴書. If you held multiple roles at one company, show the progression clearly.
- Select relevant examples. A list of titles alone does not show the work. Explain what you handled, for whom, and with what result. Use accurate numbers only when you can substantiate them and when sharing them does not breach a former employer’s confidentiality.
- Translate context, not just job titles. An overseas company or qualification may be unknown to a Japanese reader. Add a neutral one-line description of the business or qualification, and retain the official name. Do not claim a foreign credential is a Japanese license unless it actually is.
- Check the file. Confirm the requested language, file format, page count if specified, readable layout, spelling of names and dates, and whether a signature or photo is actually requested. Review the file you will send, not only the editable draft.
A short example
職務要約: “海外の教育サービス企業で4年間、成人向け研修の運営と受講者対応を担当。講師との日程調整、教材更新、問い合わせ対応を行った。” This describes four years in an overseas education service company, coordinating adult training, instructors, materials and learner inquiries. It is more informative than only writing “education coordinator.”
職務経歴: “2022年4月～2026年3月｜ABC Learning（英国、成人向け研修サービス）｜研修運営担当。講師10名の授業日程を調整し、受講者からの問い合わせに対応。” These names and figures are illustrative; replace them with your truthful record. If a result is hard to quantify, describe the process and scope without inventing a percentage.
Useful questions to ask the employer
| Japanese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| 職務経歴書の指定書式はありますか。 | Is there a required career history format? |
| 英語で作成した職務経歴書でも応募できますか。 | May I apply with a career history written in English? |
| 海外での職務経験も記載してよろしいでしょうか。 | May I include work experience outside Japan? |
| 提出形式と期限を確認させてください。 | Please let me confirm the file format and deadline. |
Do not assume a 職務経歴書 is always required. Check the actual listing or ask. If you have limited paid work experience, relevant projects, internships or volunteer work may help explain your skills, but label them accurately and follow the employer’s instructions. Hello Work offers consultation and materials on preparing application documents if you want help shaping your draft.
