Do I really need keigo for a Japanese job interview?

Yes. A 面接 is the clearest case for full keigo — humble language (謙譲語) for yourself and honorific language (尊敬語) toward the interviewer. Plain or even standard polite form would come across as too casual.

Should I say 御社 or 貴社 for 'your company'?

Say 御社 (onsha) out loud in the interview; use 貴社 (kisha) in writing, such as your résumé or follow-up email. They mean the same thing but belong to spoken vs. written register.

How can I practice a Japanese interview under pressure?

Rehearse the full exchange — entering, self-PR, answering follow-ups, closing — not just memorized lines. Renza lets you practice a keigo-heavy 面接 scenario and flags the moments your register slips.

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Japanese·A job interview

How to Handle a Job Interview in Japanese: Keigo Phrases (面接)

A Japanese job interview (面接, mensetsu) runs on keigo — the honorific and humble language that signals respect. The vocabulary is predictable, which means you can prepare it. Here are the phrases for each stage, the register to hold, and how to rehearse the pressure.

Full keigo: humble about yourself, honorific about them

Use 謙譲語 (humble) for your own actions — おります instead of います, いたします instead of します, 〜させていただきます to ask permission. Refer to the company as 御社 (onsha) when speaking. This is the one situation where over-polite is safer than under-polite.

Entering & opening

失礼します。

Shitsurei shimasu.

Excuse me. (as you enter)

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Honjitsu wa ojikan o itadaki, arigatō gozaimasu.

Thank you for your time today.

よろしくお願いいたします。

Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

I look forward to speaking with you. (very polite)

Talking about yourself

自己紹介をさせていただきます。

Jikoshōkai o sasete itadakimasu.

Allow me to introduce myself.

前職では営業を担当しておりました。

Zenshoku de wa eigyō o tantō shite orimashita.

In my previous job I was in charge of sales.

私の強みは粘り強さです。

Watashi no tsuyomi wa nebarizuyosa desu.

My strength is persistence.

御社の理念に共感いたしました。

Onsha no rinen ni kyōkan itashimashita.

I resonated with your company's philosophy.

Closing

ぜひ御社で働きたいと考えております。

Zehi onsha de hatarakitai to kangaete orimasu.

I would very much like to work at your company.

本日はありがとうございました。

Honjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita.

Thank you very much for today.

失礼いたします。

Shitsurei itashimasu.

Excuse me. (as you leave, very polite)

Tips to sound natural

Say 御社 (onsha) when speaking about the company; 貴社 (kisha) is the written form for your résumé and emails.
Convert your verbs to humble form: います → おります, します → いたします, 思います → 考えております.
〜させていただきます ("allow me to…") is the polite way to frame your own actions throughout.
Knock, wait for どうぞ, enter with 失礼します, and bow before sitting — the choreography matters as much as the words.

Now practice it out loud

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