In 15 Seconds
- Means switching from your current company to a new employer.
- Combines 'tenshoku' (job change) with 'suru' (to do).
- Reflects the modern shift away from lifetime employment in Japan.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of leaving your current company to start a new job at a different one. It is the most common and natural way to talk about switching employers in Japan.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking to a friend about future plans
来年、転職をしようと思っています。
I'm thinking about changing jobs next year.
Announcing a successful move to a colleague
ついに転職をすることになりました！
It's been decided that I'm finally changing jobs!
A formal interview setting
スキルアップのために転職をしました。
I changed jobs in order to improve my skills.
Cultural Background
The 'Lifetime Employment' system is fading, but many older Japanese people still view frequent job changes with skepticism. However, for the younger generation, it is seen as a necessary step for growth. Recruitment agencies called 'Tenshoku Agents' are extremely popular. They provide free counseling and help negotiate salaries, which is a key part of the modern Japanese job-changing process. The '3-year rule' ({石|いし}の{上|うえ}にも{三|さん}{年|ねん}) suggests staying at a job for 3 years. Leaving before this can sometimes make it harder to find the next job, though this is changing. Bonus seasons (June and December) are the most common times for {転職|てんしょく}. People often wait to receive their bonus before officially resigning.
The 'Suru' Rule
Remember that {転職|てんしょく} is a noun. You must add 'suru' to make it an action.
Formality Matters
In an interview, always use the polite form '{転職|てんしょく}をいたしました' to show respect.
In 15 Seconds
- Means switching from your current company to a new employer.
- Combines 'tenshoku' (job change) with 'suru' (to do).
- Reflects the modern shift away from lifetime employment in Japan.
What It Means
転職をする (tenshoku o suru) is your go-to phrase for career moves. It specifically means moving from one company to another. It implies a fresh start at a new organization. You aren't just changing tasks; you are changing your boss and your commute. Think of it as hitting the reset button on your professional life.
How To Use It
You use it just like any other suru verb. If you are talking to a friend, say tenshoku suru. If you are in a polite setting, use tenshoku shimasu. You can also use it as a noun, like tenshoku katsudō (job hunting). It is a very flexible and useful building block. Just drop it into a sentence when career talk comes up.
When To Use It
Use this when you have officially decided to move on. It is perfect for telling friends over coffee about your new path. You can use it when updating your LinkedIn profile or resume. It is also common in career counseling or interviews. If you are feeling bold, use it when discussing your future goals. It sounds proactive and professional.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a promotion within the same company. That is called shōshin. Also, do not use it for moving to a different department. That is idō. If you are a student getting your first job, use shūshoku. Tenshoku specifically requires you to have a job to change from. It is not for your very first career step.
Cultural Background
Japan used to be famous for "lifetime employment." People stayed at one company until they retired. However, things are changing fast nowadays. Tenshoku is now seen as a way to gain skills. It is no longer a sign of disloyalty. Many young professionals change jobs every few years to boost their salary. It is a sign of the modern, flexible Japanese economy.
Common Variations
You will often hear tenshoku katsudō, which means "job hunting." People often shorten this to tenkatsu in casual talk. If someone is successful, they might say tenshoku ni seikō shita. This means they successfully landed a better role. You might also hear tenshoku saiteki-ki, meaning the best time to switch. Everyone is looking for that perfect window!
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral and safe for most situations. Just remember that it focuses on the 'new' job; if you want to focus on 'leaving' the old one, use `taishoku` (resignation).
The 'Suru' Rule
Remember that {転職|てんしょく} is a noun. You must add 'suru' to make it an action.
Formality Matters
In an interview, always use the polite form '{転職|てんしょく}をいたしました' to show respect.
Use with 'Kibou'
Pair it with '{希望|きぼう}' (hope) to sound more humble: '{転職|てんしょく}を{希望|きぼう}しております'.
The 'Enman' Exit
Japanese culture values '{円満退職|えんまんたいしょく}' (harmonious resignation). Even when {転職|てんしょく}ing, people try hard not to burn bridges.
Examples
6来年、転職をしようと思っています。
I'm thinking about changing jobs next year.
The speaker is expressing a future intention using 'omotte imasu'.
ついに転職をすることになりました！
It's been decided that I'm finally changing jobs!
Using 'koto ni narimashita' makes it sound like an official announcement.
スキルアップのために転職をしました。
I changed jobs in order to improve my skills.
This is a standard, professional way to explain motivation.
思い切って転職をしちゃえば？
Why don't you just take the plunge and change jobs?
The 'chaeba' ending is very casual and encouraging.
宝くじが当たったら、猫の飼い主に転職をするよ。
If I win the lottery, I'll change jobs to become a cat owner.
Using 'tenshoku' for a lifestyle change adds a funny, dramatic touch.
田中さんは先月転職をしたらしいですよ。
I heard that Mr. Tanaka changed jobs last month.
The word 'rashii' indicates the speaker heard this as a rumor/news.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of {転職|てんしょく}をする.
{来月|らいげつ}、{新|あたら}しい{会社|かいしゃ}に（ ）。
Since you are moving to a 'new company,' {転職|てんしょく}をします (will change jobs) is the correct choice.
Which sentence is correct for an internal move within the same company?
Choose the correct sentence:
{転職|てんしょく} is only for changing companies. {異動|いどう} is for internal department changes.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {最近|さいきん}、{仕事|しごと}はどうですか？ B: （ ）を{考|かんが}えています。もっと{給料|きゅうりょう}がほしいですから。
The reason 'wanting more salary' matches with 'thinking about a job change'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You just signed a contract with a new company and are telling your parents.
{転職|てんしょく}が{決|き}まる means 'a job change has been decided/finalized'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
{転職|てんしょく} vs {異動|いどう}
Practice Bank
4 exercises{来月|らいげつ}、{新|あたら}しい{会社|かいしゃ}に（ ）。
Since you are moving to a 'new company,' {転職|てんしょく}をします (will change jobs) is the correct choice.
Choose the correct sentence:
{転職|てんしょく} is only for changing companies. {異動|いどう} is for internal department changes.
A: {最近|さいきん}、{仕事|しごと}はどうですか？ B: （ ）を{考|かんが}えています。もっと{給料|きゅうりょう}がほしいですから。
The reason 'wanting more salary' matches with 'thinking about a job change'.
Situation: You just signed a contract with a new company and are telling your parents.
{転職|てんしょく}が{決|き}まる means 'a job change has been decided/finalized'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is a neutral professional term. While older generations might value staying at one company, the word itself is not negative.
It sounds a bit too formal for a part-time job. Better to say '{バイト|ばいと}を{変|か}える'.
{転職|てんしょく} implies moving to a new job. {離職|りしょく} (leaving a job) is a more technical/legal term for just being unemployed or leaving a post.
You can say '{転職活動|てんしょくかつどう}をしています' (I am doing job-hunting activities).
Yes, it's very common. Just drop the 'o' particle: '{転職|てんしょく}するんだ'.
It can mean both. Moving from Sony to Apple is {転職|てんしょく}, and moving from being a Chef to a Programmer is also {転職|てんしょく}.
It's a recruiter who helps you find a new job. They are very common in Japan.
Usually, no. {転職|てんしょく} implies moving between companies as an employee. For freelance, you'd say '{独立|どくりつ}する' (becoming independent).
No, {転職|てんしょく} is strictly a noun that requires 'suru' to function as a verb.
It refers to people who {転職|てんしょく} within their first 3 years of working after graduation.
Related Phrases
{退職|たいしょく}をする
similarTo resign/retire
{就職|しゅうしょく}をする
similarTo get a job
{異動|いどう}をする
contrastTo transfer
{起業|きぎょう}をする
specialized formTo start a business
{キャリアチェンジ|きゃりあちぇんじ}
synonymCareer change
