Many companies conduct the main selection process from spring to summer, but ``autumn recruitment’’ (autumn selection), which takes place after the fall (around September to November), is also an important opportunity for job hunters. However, the selection process for fall recruitment is different from that for spring recruitment, and the required standards tend to be higher. In this article, we will explain the key points to prepare for interviews to succeed in fall recruitment.

Harsh reality of fall recruitment and company intentions

The fall recruitment slots are mainly for filling vacancies'' in the event that someone declines a job offer during spring recruitment, and for selective recruitment’’ to acquire more talented personnel (such as those returning from studying abroad or taking the civil service exam). As a result, there are few recruitment slots and a high level of competition. Students who take the stance of ``just taking it’’ are mercilessly rejected, and companies are strictly checking whether they really want to join the company (high level of desire) and whether they have the potential to be immediately effective.

3 points to prepare for interviews for fall recruitment

1. A clear answer to “Why are you continuing job hunting until autumn?”

The questions that are asked 100% of the time during interviews for fall employment are, Why are you job hunting until now?'' and Where did you apply in the spring and how did it go?’’ It is no good to lie or cheat here.

• Honestly admit failure and highlight what you have learned: ``In the spring, I wanted to work in 〇〇 industry, but my self-analysis was shallow and I didn’t have any connections.After that, I looked at myself anew and decided to apply for your company’s industry for 〇〇 reasons.’’ It is important to talk positively about how you corrected your course after failure.

2. Demonstrating an overwhelmingly high degree of aspiration

Since the position is to fill a vacancy, companies are looking for students who will definitely join the company if they make a job offer.

• Talk about the clear differences between us and other companies: Thoroughly verbalize the answer to “Why choose us among other companies in the same industry?” through the company’s IR information and visits to alumni. You need to prove your enthusiasm by not just saying, ``This is my first choice,’’ but also by the depth of your research into the company.

3. Give a concrete presentation on how you can contribute after joining the company

Spring hiring tends to focus on potential'' (personality and future prospects), but fall hiring is more focused on readiness to work’’ (how the candidate will perform after joining the company).

• Give a concrete presentation on how and where your strengths (skills acquired through Gakuchika) can be utilized in the company’s work. ``When I am assigned, I would like to take advantage of my 〇〇 strengths and work on ~~,’’ which I would like to discuss in a high level of detail.

Summary

It is true that hiring in the fall is difficult, but don’t rush. If you thoroughly digest your mistakes and reflections from the spring, and go into interviews armed with deeper self-analysis and company research, you will definitely get results. As the saying goes, ``There is good fortune in leftovers,’’ there are many seniors who find their destiny in companies in the fall. Don’t give up and keep trying with confidence until the end.