How to Write 履歴書 (Rirekisho)・職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho) - Part 2: HOW
Key Takeaways
Nikkei companies appreciate inhouse harmony. To maintain their community, they want to understand applicants’ soft skills just as much as their hard skills.
履歴書 (Rirekisho) highlights both professionalism and personality, while 職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho) is dedicated to professional history.
Research thoroughly. Explore the company’s values, history, and foundations.
Think of your 履歴書 (Rirekisho) as your job-hunting Tinder profile.
Honesty is respected, especially when explaining gaps in your resume.
Hello, I’m delighted to see you again!
In our previous post, we talked about the “why” of this application system among Nikkei companies (日系企業), contrasting it with the straightforward CV system used by international companies.
Quick Catchup
Nikkei companies require both 履歴書 (Rirekisho) and 職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho). This dual approach helps them screen not just your skills but also your fit as a future team member.
They place enormous value on inhouse harmony. To minimize disruption to their community and ensure long-lasting employment, they look closely at your personality as well as your professionalism.
If you’d like to read the full background, you can check the earlier article here.
Today, let’s shift from “why” to “how”. “How” to effectively represent yourself in these two essential documents.
Before we dive in, grab your mug. I’ve got mine.
“Allons-y!”
What’s the Spirit of 履歴書 (Rirekisho) and 職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho)?
Both 履歴書 (Rirekisho) and 職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho) cover your hard skills, but the former leaves space for your soft skills (the human side of you).
The real mission is balancing professional achievements with personal qualities.
Think of it like creating a Tinder profile.
You wouldn’t just list job titles, right?
You’d want to show what drives you, what values you hold, how you’ve shaped your life path, and how you imagine building a future with someone. You mix facts with personality, wit with sincerity, and yes, even selfies.
Job hunting in Japan works in a surprisingly similar way.
職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho) is your professional CV: job titles, responsibilities, team size, achievements, skills, certificates, and company details (organization, location, employer name, headcount, etc.).
履歴書 (Rirekisho) is more holistic: it covers official records like education and career history, but also your motivation and personal reasons for applying (志望動機).
Together, they present the bigger picture.
How Do We Build These?
Think of 職務経歴書 as your professional pitch.
The hard skills that connect you to the role.
Meanwhile, 履歴書 is your pitch. Testing the water before diving in. Once you’re sure it’s safe, you make a graceful splash: “Hi! May I join you?” That’s the message your 履歴書 sends.
The important thing here is not just the structure, but the real-world application.
Take a moment to visualize your milestones, your achievements, and how they fit into the story you want to tell.
Let’s break it down.
1. 履歴書 (Mix of Official and Personal)
This sheet has two roles — it’s both formal and personal. Five tips to optimize your preparation:
List your educational (high school onward) and professional backgrounds (jobs of 3+ months) in chronological order, from oldest to most recent.
Research your target company and products beforehand to tailor your motivation. This is where cultural fit matters most.
Include language skills and certifications where possible.
Attach a professional photo and include your date of birth for identification.
Avoid discussing salary at this stage. Asking too early can feel like a warning sign to employers.
This continuous timeline gives the reader a broad view of who you are — from adolescence through to your future ambitions.
And research is absolutely key. Even just a quick Google search of the company will provide plenty of useful details. Most Nikkei companies summarize their core values and information clearly on their official site. Press releases are also worth scanning.
After research, take time for introspection. Aside from money, what truly motivates you? What are your core values? How do they align with the company’s mission? This reflection becomes the foundation of your 志望動機. Think of it as sketching the bridge between you and them. Journaling can be a great starting point.
Congratulations! You’ve scaled the peak. From here, it’s an easier slope down.
2. 職務経歴書 (Your Professional Record)
This is closest to a CV, so fewer surprises here. Still, four checkpoints can make a difference:
Tailor your abstract to the role you’re applying for.
Record your jobs in chronological order: position, responsibilities, performance, and company details (size, name, location, team structure). Include any roles lasting more than three months.
Add language skills where relevant.
Highlight your career vision in the self-introduction section.
Think of it as a chronological ledger of your professional life. It should capture:
Skills
Achievements (e.g., cost savings, sales growth, project scale)
Detailed company information (employer, team size, etc.)
And what about gaps? Life happens. Don’t “fake it till you make it.” Nikkei companies respect honesty over cover-ups. A straightforward explanation shows resilience and maturity.
Templates
履歴書 (Rirekisho)
Here is the template for 履歴書 Rirekisho. Click the image to go to the downloadable file:
Here is the direct link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_ljBZa_CcYTGD0uOVtS0idVDV1BT8Jin4UAtfgPG7oY/edit?usp=sharing
職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho)
Here is the template for the 職務経歴書 (Shokumu Keirekisho), you can make a copy of this and save it to your docs or download it.
Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iAxZfBPci-sYBIMZ8WLg9v0Fm_lSiGhu4Jnvyy21CAA/edit?usp=sharing
Wrap-up
Thank you for reading through all of this.
To recap: Nikkei companies ask for two documents because they prioritize inhouse harmony. Matching with their culture is just as important as your professional capabilities. 履歴書 balances professional facts with personal motivation, while 職務経歴書 focuses purely on your career history.
Together, they form your “job hunting Tinder profile” — your chance to show who you are, not just what you’ve done.
So dig deep: reflect on your past, align with their values, and present a vision of the future you’d like to create together.
May you summon your patronus and find your own Mahoutokoro community in Japan.
If you’re ready to explore opportunities in Tokyo, [reach out to us here]. We’ll keep you updated on openings and guide you along the way.
Until then — see you soon!