Which Template Do I Need?テンプレート診断 — find your rirekisho in 3 questions
Japan has several resume formats, and picking the wrong one wastes an evening. Answer three quick questions and we'll point you to the right template — ready to open and fill in.
Question 1 of 3
What are you applying for?
The formats, briefly
The JIS layout is the traditional standard most companies accept; the MHLW (厚生労働省) form is the modern government version without gender or commute fields; modern/English layouts suit tech and global firms; and part-time, new-grad, and career-change variants tune the emphasis for your situation. See all of them on the templates page.
How to use it, step by step
- Answer the three questions about the job you are applying for and your background.
- Open the recommended template and read its short description.
- If the employer gave you their own form or named a format, use that instead.
- Open the template in the editor and fill it in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the JIS and MHLW templates?
The MHLW (厚生労働省) template, published in 2021, makes gender optional and removes the commute time, dependents, and spouse boxes. The JIS-style layout keeps them. Both are widely accepted.
Which template should I use for a part-time job?
A part-time (アルバイト) template, which gives more space to your available days and hours, the most important information for shift work.
Can I send an English CV instead?
Foreign-affiliated companies and some IT firms accept one, often alongside a Japanese rirekisho. If the job ad is in Japanese, send a Japanese rirekisho.
Does the template choice affect my chances?
Rarely, as long as it suits the job and is filled in carefully. Accuracy, consistency, and a clear 志望動機 matter far more than the layout.
Still unsure?
You can switch templates any time inside the editor without retyping — your data reflows automatically. Just open the editor and try a couple, or read how to write a Japanese resume.