How to Write a Successful Resume and Job Description for a Status Change

For international students who wish to continue living in Japan after graduation, changing their visa status from a “Student” visa to a “Work” visa is essential.
Among the various documents required for the change of status, the resume and job description are two of the most crucial.

Some common concerns include:
“I have no full-time work experience.”
“My job doesn’t perfectly match my major.”
In fact, how you present your experience and duties can greatly affect the outcome of your application.

This article explains how to write a strong resume and job description that can lead to a successful visa status change from student to "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services" (commonly referred to as a “work visa”).

---

✅ Basic Requirements for Work Visa Status Change

To change from a student visa to a “Work” visa (especially under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” category), the following conditions generally apply:

• Your academic background must relate to your job duties
• Your salary and working conditions must be equivalent to those of Japanese employees
• The company must be legitimate and have a real need to employ you

In addition, immigration officers evaluate whether the applicant can realistically perform the expected duties.

---

✅ Key Points for a Strong Resume

1. Show Clear Relevance Between Your Major and the Job

List your academic background clearly and make sure to explain how your studies align with the job you’re being hired for.

Example:
Meiji University, Faculty of Business Administration
Major: Marketing (Market Research, Advertising Analysis)
→ Job Title: Digital Marketing Assistant

2. Include Internships and Part-Time Work

Even if you don’t have full-time work experience, you can highlight internships or part-time jobs related to the field to show practical ability.

Example:
Apr 2023 – Mar 2024: Internship at ABC Co., Ltd.
Responsible for translating and managing content for overseas e-commerce platforms and social media.

---

✅ How to Write an Effective Job Description

Immigration looks for specialized duties, not general labor.
Your job description should clearly show that the work requires specialized knowledge related to your studies.

1. Use Technical or Academic Language

Avoid vague descriptions like “office work” or “data entry.” Instead, use terms that reflect the professional nature of the work.

Not ideal: Data entry, simple clerical work
Better: Preparing marketing materials, assisting in contract negotiations, translation tasks

2. Link Your Studies to the Job Duties

Example:
“I majored in economics, focusing on financial modeling and analysis. I plan to apply this experience in tasks such as business data analysis and market forecasting.”

---

⚠️ Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection

• “Customer service” or “waitstaff” listed as primary duties → Considered unskilled labor, which is ineligible
• Resume lacks detail or does not mention your major → Hard to prove relevance to the job
• Job duties written vaguely or in overly simple Japanese/English → Fails to show specialized knowledge

---

✅ Summary: Your Documents Are the Foundation of Your Visa Approval

When applying for a work visa, your resume and job description should answer:
“Why is this applicant qualified to do this job at this company in Japan?”

These documents are not just forms—they are your presentation to immigration.
How well they are written can make the difference between approval and rejection.

---

💬 If You’re Unsure About Your Application

At Baba Akira Immigration Office, we offer support for drafting, reviewing, and improving your documents for visa status changes, including coordinating with companies.

Please feel free to contact us for assistance.