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B1 noun #8,000 most common 10 min read

求職

kyuushoku Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 求職 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 求職 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '求職' (kyūshoku) very often, but you might see it on a sign or a simple form. Think of it as a formal way of saying 'looking for a job.' Imagine you are at a train station and you see a poster that says '求職者支援' (Support for Job Seekers). You should recognize that the '職' (shoku) part means 'job.' At this stage, instead of saying '求職しています,' you would probably say '仕事を探しています' (Shigoto o sagashite imasu), which is much easier to remember and use. However, knowing that 'kyū' means 'seek' and 'shoku' means 'job' helps you build a foundation for many other words you will learn later, like 'shigoto' (work) or 'kyūjin' (help wanted). Just remember: if you see these two kanji together, someone is looking for a place to work!

At the A2 level, you are starting to handle more daily life situations in Japan. You might visit a 'Hello Work' office or look at job boards in the supermarket. You will notice the word '求職' (kyūshoku) on official documents. It is important to distinguish it from '求人' (kyūjin - help wanted). When you fill out a form to get help finding a job, you are a '求職者' (kyūshoku-sha), which means 'job seeker.' You can use the phrase '求職中です' (kyūshoku-chū desu) to tell someone formally that you are currently looking for work. It sounds more professional than just saying you are unemployed. You should also be aware that in spoken Japanese, 'kyūshoku' can also mean 'school lunch,' so listen for context. If you are at an office, it's definitely about jobs, not food!

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '求職' (kyūshoku) in semi-formal contexts. You understand that this word is the standard term for the professional act of seeking employment. You can now use compound words like '求職活動' (kyūshoku katsudō) to describe your 'job-hunting activities.' For example, if you are applying for a visa or a specific type of insurance, you might need to explain your '求職状況' (kyūshoku jōkyō - job-seeking status). You are expected to know the difference between 'kyūshoku' (seeking work), 'shūshoku' (getting a job), and 'tenshoku' (changing jobs). You can participate in conversations about the labor market and understand when a news reporter mentions '求職者の数' (the number of job seekers). This word is a key part of your professional Japanese vocabulary.

At the B2 level, you use '求職' (kyūshoku) with precision in business and economic discussions. You are familiar with technical terms like '有効求職者数' (active job seekers) and '求職申込書' (job application form). You can discuss the nuances of the Japanese labor market, such as the '求職離れ' (moving away from traditional job seeking) among younger generations or the impact of technology on '求職サイト' (job-seeking websites). You understand that '求職' implies a formal registration with the labor system, often linked to the 'Public Employment Security Office.' You can write formal emails or reports using this term correctly, and you don't confuse it with more casual alternatives. Your understanding includes the legal implications of being a 'job seeker' in the eyes of the Japanese government.

At the C1 level, '求職' (kyūshoku) is a term you use when analyzing complex societal issues. You might write an essay on how the '求職活動の長期化' (prolongation of job-seeking activities) affects the mental health of the elderly or how '求職者支援制度' (job seeker support systems) need reform. You understand the historical shift from the 'lifetime employment' era to the modern 'fluid labor market' where '求職' is a recurring phase in a professional's life. You can interpret high-level economic data involving '新規求職申込件数' (number of new job-seeking applications) and discuss their correlation with GDP or consumer spending. Your mastery of the word allows you to use it in academic, legal, and high-level corporate environments without hesitation, utilizing its various compound forms with ease.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '求職' (kyūshoku) and its place in the Japanese linguistic and social hierarchy. You can navigate the most complex legal documents regarding labor laws (労働法) where '求職者' rights and '求職活動' requirements are strictly defined. You are capable of debating the socio-economic theories surrounding '摩擦的失業' (frictional unemployment) and the role of '求職' efficiency in reducing it. You recognize the subtle stylistic choices between using '求職' and its synonyms in literature or political rhetoric to evoke specific tones—whether clinical, empathetic, or critical. You can provide expert-level advice on navigating the Japanese employment system, fully aware of the administrative nuances that the word '求職' carries in every official context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

求職 in 30 Seconds

Formal noun for 'job seeking' or 'looking for work.'
Consists of 求 (seek) and 職 (job/employment).
Commonly used in official contexts like 'Hello Work' offices.
Often appears as '求職活動' (job hunting) or '求職中' (seeking work).

The Japanese word 求職 (kyūshoku) is a formal noun that translates directly to 'job seeking' or 'looking for employment.' It is composed of two kanji characters: 求 (kyū), which means to request, seek, or demand, and 職 (shoku), which refers to employment, a job, or a professional position. When combined, they describe the active process of an individual trying to find a place of work. This term is most frequently encountered in official contexts, government documents, and formal conversations regarding the labor market. Unlike the more colloquial phrase 仕事探し (shigoto-sagashi), which sounds like a casual search for work, 求職 carries a weight of administrative and professional seriousness. It is the term you will see on forms at the Public Employment Security Office, known popularly in Japan as Hello Work. In a Japanese societal context, the act of seeking a job is not just a personal endeavor but a recognized status that grants access to certain social safety nets, such as unemployment insurance and career counseling services.

Formal Usage: Used in government statistics (求職率 - job-seeking rate) and official applications (求職申込書 - job application form).
Professional Context: Used by recruiters and HR professionals to describe the pool of candidates available in the market.
Grammatical Flexibility: While primarily a noun, it can function as a suru-verb (求職する) to mean 'to seek a job,' though this is less common than the noun form combined with other verbs.

彼は現在、ハローワークで求職活動を行っています。
(He is currently conducting job-seeking activities at Hello Work.)

Understanding the nuance of 求職 requires looking at the Japanese labor culture. For decades, the 'lifetime employment' system meant that job seeking was a once-in-a-lifetime event for many graduates. However, with the rise of the 'Lost Decades' and the diversification of employment types (part-time, contract, and freelance), the term 求職 has become more prevalent in daily news and economic discussions. It is often paired with 中 (chū) to form 求職中, meaning 'currently seeking work.' This status is vital for those applying for shitsugyō hoken (unemployment insurance), as they must prove they are actively in a state of 求職 to receive benefits. Furthermore, the term distinguishes the 'seeker' from the 'provider' (求人 - kyūjin), creating a clear linguistic boundary in the labor exchange process.

In terms of register, if you are speaking to a friend about looking for a part-time job at a cafe, you would likely say baito sagashiteru. However, if you are in a formal interview or discussing your career path with a mentor, using 求職 or 求職活動 (kyūshoku katsudō) demonstrates a higher level of vocabulary and professional awareness. It implies a structured, serious search for a career-oriented position rather than just a casual hunt for extra cash. This word is the backbone of Japanese labor statistics, where the ratio of job offers to job seekers (yūkō kyūjin bairitsu) is a key indicator of the nation's economic health. Therefore, mastering this word allows you to engage with Japanese news, economic reports, and official procedures with confidence.

Using 求職 (kyūshoku) correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its common collocations. Because it is a formal term, it often appears in the pattern [Noun] + をしている (doing [noun]) or as part of a compound noun. The most common compound is 求職活動 (kyūshoku katsudō), which refers to the entire 'job-hunting activity' or 'job search.' While students often use 就職活動 (shūshoku katsudō) or 'Shu-katsu' for their first job search before graduation, 求職活動 is the broader term used for anyone at any stage of their life who is looking for work.

ハローワークに求職登録をしました。
(I registered as a job seeker at Hello Work.)

求職中 (Kyūshoku-chū): Meaning 'currently seeking a job.' This is often used on social media profiles (like LinkedIn) or in self-introductions during professional networking. Example: 「現在は求職中です」(I am currently seeking employment).
求職者 (Kyūshoku-sha): Meaning 'job seeker.' This refers to the person. It is used in sentences like 「求職者のためのセミナー」(Seminars for job seekers).
求職申込 (Kyūshoku mōshikomi): Meaning 'job application' or 'application for job-seeking services.' This is the formal act of signing up for employment assistance.

In a sentence, you might describe the difficulty of the current market by saying, 「求職者が増えている」 (The number of job seekers is increasing). Or, if you are discussing legal requirements for benefits, you might say, 「失業保険を受給するには、継続的な求職活動が必要です」 (To receive unemployment insurance, continuous job-seeking activity is necessary). Note how the word functions as a building block for complex ideas. It is rarely used as a simple verb like taberu (to eat); instead, it acts as a specific category of action.

景気が悪化し、求職者が急増している。
(The economy has worsened, and the number of job seekers is surging.)

Finally, consider the distinction between 求職 and 転職 (tenshoku). Tenshoku specifically means 'changing jobs' (moving from one to another), while 求職 is the state of looking for work, regardless of whether you are currently employed or unemployed. If you are unemployed and looking, you are definitely 求職中. If you are working but looking for a new role, you are tenshoku katsudō-chū (in the middle of job-changing activities), but the government would still classify your actions at a job center under the umbrella of 求職.

You are most likely to encounter 求職 (kyūshoku) in professional and administrative environments. The most iconic location is Hello Work (公共職業安定所). As you walk through the doors of a Hello Work office, you will see signs for 求職申込 (Job Seeking Application) and computer terminals labeled for 求職者用 (For Job Seekers). Staff members will ask you, 「求職のご希望条件は何ですか？」 (What are your desired conditions for job seeking?). Here, the word is the standard terminology for the entire service they provide.

最新の求職情報をチェックしましょう。
(Let's check the latest job-seeking information.)

Another common place is the news and financial media. NHK or the Nikkei Shimbun frequently report on the 有効求職者数 (number of active job seekers). If the number of job seekers drops while job openings (求人) rise, it indicates a labor shortage, a common topic in modern Japan. You'll hear phrases like 「求職者の売り手市場」 (a seller's market for job seekers). This context is purely economic and statistical, highlighting the word's formal utility.

Recruitment Agencies: Private agencies like Recruit or Pasona use 求職者 to refer to their clients (the people they are trying to place in jobs).
Legal and Insurance: When applying for childcare (hoikuen), parents who are not currently working must provide proof of 求職活動 to show they are seeking work to justify the need for daycare.

In modern digital spaces, 求職 appears in the UI of job boards and apps. A button might say 求職登録 (Register as a job seeker) or 求職中として表示 (Display as currently seeking work). It's the professional 'status' label. Even on LinkedIn Japan, while English is common, the Japanese interface uses these terms to categorize users and their activities. Hearing this word in a casual setting like a bar is rare, unless the conversation has turned toward serious life planning or economic grievances.

彼は求職サイトに履歴書をアップロードした。
(He uploaded his resume to a job-seeking site.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 求職 (kyūshoku) is confusing it with its phonetic twin and its logical opposite. Let's break down these common pitfalls to ensure your Japanese sounds natural and precise.

Mistake 1: Confusing 求職 (Kyūshoku) with 求人 (Kyūjin): This is the most common error. 求職 is what the worker does (seeking work). 求人 is what the company does (seeking people/hiring). If you say 'I am doing kyūjin,' it sounds like you are trying to hire someone, not find a job for yourself. Remember: 職 (shoku) = job, 人 (jin) = person. You seek a job; a company seeks a person.
Mistake 2: The School Lunch Homophone (給食): In spoken Japanese, 求職 (job seeking) and 給食 (school lunch) are both pronounced 'kyūshoku.' While context usually prevents confusion, using the wrong kanji in a text message or email can be embarrassing. Always double-check that you are using the 'seek' (求) kanji and not the 'supply' (給) kanji.
Mistake 3: Over-relying on the verb '求職する': While grammatically possible, saying 「私は求職しています」 sounds a bit stiff and textbook-like. Native speakers are far more likely to say 「求職活動をしています」 or simply 「仕事を探しています」. Using the noun within a broader phrase makes you sound more fluent.

❌ 私はハローワークで求人しています。
✅ 私はハローワークで求職活動をしています。
(Correction: The first implies you are hiring, the second that you are looking for work.)

Another nuance mistake is using 求職 for temporary or very casual work. If you are looking for a one-day gig or a very informal part-time job, 求職 might sound too 'heavy.' It's better to use バイト探し (baito-sagashi). 求職 implies you are entering the labor market as a serious participant. Similarly, don't confuse it with 就職 (shūshoku). Shūshoku is the act of 'getting' or 'entering' employment. You 求職 (seek) in order to 就職 (get the job).

Finally, be careful with the particle usage. You don't usually 'kyūshoku' a company. You perform 求職活動 in the market or at a center. If you want to say you applied to a specific company, use 応募する (ōbo suru). Mixing up these specific action verbs with the general state of 求職 is a hallmark of intermediate learners who haven't yet mastered the 'collocation' (words that naturally go together) of Japanese business language.

To truly master 求職 (kyūshoku), you must understand how it sits within a family of related terms. Japanese has many specific words for the act of finding work, depending on the person's age, status, and the type of job they are looking for.

仕事探し (Shigoto-sagashi): Comparison: The most casual and common alternative. While 求職 is 'job seeking,' shigoto-sagashi is 'job hunting.' Use this with friends and family.
Example: 「そろそろ新しい仕事探しを始めようかな。」 (Maybe I'll start looking for a new job soon.)
就職活動 / 就活 (Shūshoku katsudō / Shūkatsu): Comparison: Specifically refers to the intense process university students go through to find their first full-time job. 求職 is more general and used for adults already in the workforce.
Example: 「大学生は就活で忙しい。」 (University students are busy with job hunting.)
転職活動 (Tenshoku katsudō): Comparison: Specifically used for people who already have a job but are looking to change to a different company. 求職 can include this but often implies being currently out of work.
Example: 「働きながら転職活動をするのは大変だ。」 (It's hard to do job-changing activities while working.)
求人 (Kyūjin): Comparison: The antonym/complementary term. This is the 'help wanted' side. A company posts a kyūjin, and the person responds with 求職.

求人倍率とは、求職者一人に対して何件の求人があるかを示す指標です。
(The job-to-applicant ratio is an index showing how many job openings exist for every one job seeker.)

When choosing between these words, consider your audience. If you are writing a formal letter to a government agency, 求職 is mandatory. If you are talking to a recruiter, tenshoku or 求職 are both appropriate. If you are at a party, shigoto-sagashi is the most natural choice. There is also the term 職探し (shoku-sagashi), which is slightly more formal than shigoto-sagashi but less clinical than 求職. It's often used in literature or by older generations.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 職 (shoku) contains the 'ear' radical (耳) on the left. This is because ancient officials were expected to 'listen' to the commands of the emperor or the needs of the people.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kjuː.ʃɒ.ku/

US /kju.ʃoʊ.ku/

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. In 'kyūshoku,' the pitch usually starts high on 'kyū' and drops on 'shoku' (Atamadaka pattern), though it can vary by dialect.

Rhymes With

給食 (Kyūshoku - School lunch) 休職 (Kyūshoku - Taking leave from work) 急送 (Kyūsō - Express delivery) 昼食 (Chūshoku - Lunch) 副食 (Fukushoku - Side dish) 夕食 (Yūshoku - Dinner) 飽食 (Hōshoku - Satiety) 腐食 (Fushoku - Corrosion)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'kyushoku' with a short 'u' (it must be long).
Confusing the pitch with 'kyūshoku' (school lunch) which is often Heiban (flat).
Adding a heavy stress on one syllable like English.
Swapping 'shoku' for 'soku'.
Mumbling the 'ky' sound so it sounds like 'kushoku'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but require B1 level knowledge to recognize '求' and '職' together.

Writing 4/5

Writing '職' correctly involves many strokes (18 strokes) and is easily messed up.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is simple, but pitch accent must be careful to avoid 'school lunch'.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish from 'kyūjin' and 'kyūshoku' (lunch) in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

仕事 (Work) 探す (To search) 人 (Person) 会社 (Company) 活動 (Activity)

Learn Next

就職 (Getting a job) 採用 (Hiring) 履歴書 (Resume) 面接 (Interview) 失業 (Unemployment)

Advanced

労働基準法 (Labor Standards Act) 有効求人倍率 (Job-to-applicant ratio) 摩擦的失業 (Frictional unemployment) キャリア形成 (Career development) 職業訓練 (Vocational training)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs (N+する)

求職する (To seek a job).

Compound Nouns (N+N)

求職者 (Job seeker).

The suffix ~中 (chū)

求職中 (In the middle of job seeking).

Formal nominalization

求職の申し込み (The application of job seeking).

The particle ~での (at/in)

ハローワークでの求職 (Job seeking at Hello Work).

Examples by Level

私は今、求職中です。

I am currently seeking a job.

求職 (job seeking) + 中 (during/currently) + です (is/am).

求職の紙はどこですか？

Where is the job-seeking paper (form)?

求職 (job seeking) + の (possessive) + 紙 (paper).

仕事がないので、求職します。

I don't have a job, so I will seek one.

Noun + します (to do) makes it a verb.

求職者は多いです。

There are many job seekers.

求職者 (job seeker) + は (topic) + 多い (many).

ハローワークで求職します。

I will seek a job at Hello Work.

Place + で (at) + action.

彼は求職していますか？

Is he seeking a job?

Present continuous form: しています.

求職は大変です。

Job seeking is hard.

求職 (noun) as the subject.

明日から求職を始めます。

I will start job seeking from tomorrow.

Time + から (from) + 始めます (start).

求職活動のために、履歴書を書きました。

I wrote a resume for my job-seeking activities.

求職活動 (job-seeking activity) + のために (for the purpose of).

求職登録をしたいのですが、どうすればいいですか？

I want to register for job seeking, what should I do?

〜したい (want to do) + 〜のですが (softening the request).

彼は三ヶ月間、求職しています。

He has been seeking a job for three months.

Duration + 間 (period) + しています (continuous action).

求職サイトで仕事を探すのは便利です。

Searching for work on job-seeking sites is convenient.

Verb dictionary form + の (nominalizer) + は + Adjective.

求職者のための面接練習があります。

There is interview practice for job seekers.

〜のための (for the benefit of).

新しい町で求職を始めました。

I started job seeking in a new town.

Place + で (at/in) + 求職 (noun) + を (object) + 始めました (started).

求職中なので、旅行には行けません。

Since I am job seeking, I cannot go on a trip.

〜なので (because/since) + Potential negative verb.

友達と一緒に求職活動をしています。

I am doing job-seeking activities with my friend.

Person + と一緒に (together with).

ハローワークで求職申込書を記入してください。

Please fill out the job application form at Hello Work.

求職申込書 (job application form) + を + 記入してください (please fill out).

求職活動の状況を報告しなければなりません。

I must report the status of my job-seeking activities.

〜なければなりません (must do).

彼女は専門職での求職を希望しています。

She wishes to seek a job in a professional field.

専門職 (specialized profession) + での (at/in).

求職者支援制度を利用することにしました。

I decided to use the job seeker support system.

〜ことにしました (decided to do).

長引く求職生活に不安を感じています。

I feel anxious about my prolonged job-seeking life.

長引く (prolonged) + 求職生活 (job-seeking life).

求職活動の実績が必要です。

Proof of job-seeking activity is required.

実績 (actual results/achievements/proof).

夫が求職中なので、私が働いています。

Since my husband is job seeking, I am working.

Contrast between two people.

効率的な求職の方法を学びたいです。

I want to learn efficient job-seeking methods.

効率的な (efficient) + 求職の方法 (method of job seeking).

最近の経済状況により、求職者の数が増加しています。

Due to recent economic conditions, the number of job seekers is increasing.

〜により (due to/because of) - formal.

有効求職者数に対して、求人数が不足しています。

There is a shortage of job offers compared to the number of active job seekers.

〜に対して (relative to/compared to).

求職活動を継続することが、失業給付の条件です。

Continuing job-seeking activities is a condition for unemployment benefits.

〜することが (nominalized action) + 〜です.

彼はIT業界に絞って求職活動を行っています。

He is conducting job-seeking activities focusing specifically on the IT industry.

〜に絞って (narrowing down to/focusing on).

求職者のスキルと企業のニーズのミスマッチが課題です。

The mismatch between job seekers' skills and company needs is an issue.

Noun + と + Noun + の + ミスマッチ (mismatch).

政府は求職者向けの職業訓練を充実させています。

The government is enhancing vocational training for job seekers.

〜向けの (aimed at/for).

求職活動において、自己分析は非常に重要です。

In job-seeking activities, self-analysis is extremely important.

〜において (in/at - formal context).

多様な求職ニーズに応えるサービスが求められています。

Services that respond to diverse job-seeking needs are in demand.

〜に応える (respond to/meet).

構造的失業を解消するためには、求職者の再教育が不可欠です。

To resolve structural unemployment, re-education of job seekers is indispensable.

構造的失業 (structural unemployment) + 不可欠 (indispensable).

新規求職申込件数の推移から、景気の後退が読み取れます。

A recession can be inferred from the transition in the number of new job-seeking applications.

〜から (from) + 〜が読み取れる (can be read/inferred).

求職者の心理的負担を軽減するためのカウンセリング体制を整えるべきだ。

A counseling system should be established to reduce the psychological burden on job seekers.

〜べきだ (should do).

デジタル技術の普及が、求職の在り方を根本から変えています。

The spread of digital technology is fundamentally changing the nature of job seeking.

根本から (from the roots/fundamentally).

潜在的求職者の掘り起こしが、労働力不足の解決策の一つとされています。

Unearthing potential job seekers is considered one of the solutions to the labor shortage.

掘り起こし (digging up/unearthing) + 〜とされている (is considered).

求職活動のデジタル化により、情報の非対称性が緩和されつつあります。

Due to the digitalization of job seeking, information asymmetry is being eased.

〜つつある (in the process of/being...).

長期間の求職状態は、キャリアの断絶を招く恐れがあります。

Prolonged job-seeking status risks causing a career break.

〜を招く恐れがある (fear/risk of causing).

求職者と企業の最適なマッチングを実現するアルゴリズムが開発された。

An algorithm that realizes the optimal matching between job seekers and companies was developed.

最適なマッチング (optimal matching).

労働市場の流動化に伴い、求職という概念自体が変容を遂げている。

With the increasing fluidity of the labor market, the very concept of job seeking is undergoing a transformation.

〜に伴い (along with) + 変容を遂げる (undergo transformation).

求職者の権利擁護と雇用主の採用の自由の均衡をどう図るかが、法的な論点となっている。

How to balance the protection of job seekers' rights and the employer's freedom of hiring has become a legal point of contention.

均衡を図る (aim for balance) + 論点 (point of contention).

AIによる求職者選別が、アルゴリズムのバイアスという新たな倫理的問題を提起している。

The screening of job seekers by AI is raising new ethical issues regarding algorithmic bias.

問題を提起する (raise/pose a problem).

求職活動における年齢差別は、形式上は禁じられているが、実態としては依然として根深い。

Age discrimination in job seeking is formally prohibited, but in reality, it remains deeply rooted.

形式上 (formally) + 実態としては (in reality).

グローバル化の進展は、国境を越えた求職行動を加速させている。

The progress of globalization is accelerating job-seeking behavior across national borders.

〜を加速させている (is accelerating).

求職者の自己効力感を高めることが、再就職支援の核心であるとの指摘がある。

It has been pointed out that increasing the self-efficacy of job seekers is the core of re-employment support.

核心 (core/heart) + 〜との指摘がある (it has been pointed out that).

求職行動のミクロ的分析を通じて、マクロ経済の動向を予測する試みが行われている。

Attempts are being made to predict macroeconomic trends through micro-analysis of job-seeking behavior.

〜を通じて (through/via).

求職活動のプラットフォーム化は、雇用の非正規化を助長する側面も持ち合わせている。

The platformization of job seeking also has the aspect of encouraging the casualization of employment.

〜を助長する (encourage/promote - often negative) + 側面 (aspect).

Common Collocations

求職活動

求職中

求職者

求職登録

求職申込

有効求職者

求職サイト

求職相談

求職意欲

潜在的求職者

Common Phrases

求職活動をしています

— I am looking for a job. This is the standard formal way to state your status.

今はハローワークに通って求職活動をしています。

求職の申し込み

— Applying for job-seeking services. Specifically used at government offices.

まずは求職の申し込みをしてください。

求職者支援訓練

— Training for job seekers. A specific government program in Japan.

求職者支援訓練を受けてスキルを磨く。

求職サイトに登録する

— To register on a job-seeking website. A modern necessity.

大手の求職サイトに登録した。

求職中につき

— Because I am currently job seeking. Often used in formal explanations.

求職中につき、平日の昼間でも対応可能です。

新規求職者

— A new job seeker. Someone who has just entered the market.

新規求職者のためのガイダンス。

求職票

— Job-seeking slip/card. The physical document used at Hello Work.

求職票を失くさないようにしてください。

求職の条件

— Conditions for seeking a job (e.g., salary, location).

求職の条件を詳しく教えてください。

求職活動の実績

— Record of job-seeking activities. Needed for insurance benefits.

月に二回以上の求職活動の実績が必要です。

求職受理

— Acceptance of a job-seeking application.

無事に求職受理されました。

Often Confused With

求職 vs 給食 (Kyūshoku)

Means 'school lunch'. Pronounced the same but written with different kanji. Context is key.

求職 vs 休職 (Kyūshoku)

Means 'taking a leave of absence from work'. Also pronounced the same. This is about staying employed but not working temporarily.

求職 vs 求人 (Kyūjin)

Means 'help wanted'. This is the company's side of the search.

Idioms & Expressions

"職を求める"

— To seek a position. A more literary or grand way to say job seeking.

安住の地と職を求めて旅に出る。

Literary

"口を探す"

— To look for an 'opening' or a job. An older, slightly idiomatic expression.

どこかに良い口はないか探している。

Old-fashioned

"食いぶちを探す"

— To look for a way to feed oneself (a job). A gritty, survivalist idiom.

家族のために食いぶちを探さなきゃならない。

Colloquial

"わらをもつかむ思いで求職する"

— To seek a job with a feeling of grasping at straws (desperate).

失業して三ヶ月、わらをもつかむ思いで求職している。

Emotive

"職を転々とす"

— To move from job to job. Often the result of constant job seeking.

彼は若い頃、職を転々としていた。

Neutral

"路頭に迷う"

— To be out on the street (homeless/jobless). The state people try to avoid by job seeking.

職を失い、路頭に迷うわけにはいかない。

Dramatic

"第二の人生を求める"

— To seek a 'second life' (a new career, often after retirement).

定年後、彼は第二の人生を求めて求職活動を始めた。

Positive

"腕一本で渡り歩く"

— To travel around living by one's skills alone (seeking jobs based on talent).

彼は大工として、腕一本で各地を渡り歩いている。

Traditional

"腰を据えて探す"

— To settle down and look seriously (for a job).

焦らず、腰を据えて求職活動をしよう。

Advice

"門戸を叩く"

— To knock on the gate (to apply/seek entry to a company).

憧れの企業の門戸を叩く。

Formal

Easily Confused

求職 vs 就職 (Shūshoku)

Both relate to getting a job.

求職 is the act of *seeking*. 就職 is the act of *entering* or *finding* the job successfully.

求職の結果、就職が決まった。(As a result of job seeking, employment was decided.)

求職 vs 転職 (Tenshoku)

Both involve looking for work.

転職 specifically means changing from one company to another. 求職 is more general.

転職のために求職サイトを見る。(Look at job-seeking sites for the purpose of changing jobs.)

求職 vs 募集 (Boshū)

Both involve looking for something in a labor context.

募集 is 'recruitment' or 'taking applications' (company side). 求職 is the worker's side.

求職者は募集要項を確認する。(The job seeker checks the recruitment guidelines.)

求職 vs 応募 (Ōbo)

Both are actions taken by job seekers.

求職 is the general state/process. 応募 is the specific act of applying to one company.

求職活動の一環として、三社に応募した。(As part of my job-seeking activities, I applied to three companies.)

求職 vs 採用 (Saiyō)

Often mentioned in the same breath.

採用 is the company's decision to hire you. It's the goal of the seeker.

求職者が採用される。(The job seeker is hired.)

Sentence Patterns

[Person] は求職中です。

田中さんは求職中です。

[Place] で求職活動をしています。

大阪で求職活動をしています。

[Reason] のため、求職しています。

スキルアップのため、求職しています。

[Noun] を目的として求職活動を行う。

キャリアチェンジを目的として求職活動を行う。

求職者の [Noun] が課題となっている。

求職者の高齢化が課題となっている。

求職行動における [Noun] の影響を分析する。

求職行動におけるSNSの影響を分析する。

求職の [Noun] を登録する。

求職の条件を登録する。

求職活動に [Particle] 励む。

求職活動に励む。

Word Family

Nouns

求職者 (Job seeker)

求職活動 (Job-seeking activity)

求職票 (Job-seeking slip)

求職申込 (Job application)

Verbs

求職する (To seek a job)

職を求める (To seek a position)

Adjectives

求職中の (Current job-seeking)

求人 (Help wanted)

就職 (Getting a job)

退職 (Quitting a job)

転職 (Changing jobs)

職業 (Occupation)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in official, professional, and news-related contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 求人 (kyūjin) instead of 求職 (kyūshoku). → 私は求職しています。
Kyūjin is for the employer. Kyūshoku is for the employee.
Misspelling 職 as 識. → 求職
職 (job) and 識 (knowledge) look similar but have different meanings.
Saying 'shigoto o kyūshoku suru'. → 求職活動をする or 仕事を探す
'Kyūshoku' already contains the meaning of 'job' (shoku), so 'shigoto o' is redundant.
Confusing with 給食 (school lunch). → Context: ハローワークでの求職
In speech, make sure the context of 'work' is clear to avoid sounding like you are asking for lunch.
Using 'kyūshoku' for casual chores. → 手伝いを探す (looking for help)
Kyūshoku is only for formal employment.

Tips

Use with 'Katsudō'

Always add 'katsudō' (activity) to make your speech sound more like a native speaker. 'Kyūshoku katsudō' is the standard phrase.

Hello Work

If you are in Japan and need a job, memorize this word before going to 'Hello Work.' It is the most important word there.

Particle Choice

Use 'de' for the place of seeking (e.g., internet de kyūshoku) and 'o' for the action (kyūshoku o suru).

Antonym Recall

Remember 'Kyūjin' (help wanted) at the same time. Companies post 'Kyūjin,' workers respond with 'Kyūshoku.'

Kanji Practice

Practice the character 職. It appears in many words like 職業 (occupation) and 職場 (workplace).

Pitch Awareness

If the pitch drops early, it's usually job seeking. If it stays flat, it might be school lunch (depending on the speaker).

Status Update

Use 'Kyūshoku-chū' on your business cards or social profiles if you are looking for a career move in Japan.

The Suit

When 'kyūshoku'-ing in Japan, dressing the part is as important as the word itself. Wear a dark suit.

Queue for a Job

Kyū = Queue. Shoku = Job. Queuing for a job.

Compound Power

Learn 'kyūshoku-sha' (job seeker) as a single block. It's used everywhere in news and signs.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Kyū' as 'Queue' (like a line of people) and 'Shoku' as 'Shock.' You are in a 'Queue' because you got a 'Shock' when you lost your job and now you are 'Kyūshoku' (seeking work).

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a magnifying glass (seeking - 求) over a business suit (job - 職).

Word Web

ハローワーク (Hello Work) 履歴書 (Resume) 面接 (Interview) 失業 (Unemployment) 採用 (Hiring) 給料 (Salary) 会社 (Company) キャリア (Career)

Challenge

Try to find a Japanese job board online and look for the word '求職者' (kyūshoku-sha). See how many times '求職' appears in the footer or the help sections.

Word Origin

Composed of Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots. '求' (kyū) comes from the Middle Chinese 'gjuw' meaning to request or seek. '職' (shoku) comes from Middle Chinese 'tsyik' meaning office, duty, or occupation.

Original meaning: To seek an official post or duty within a structured system.

Sino-Japanese (Kanji-based vocabulary).

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when asking someone if they are 'kyūshoku-chū.' In Japan, unemployment can still carry a stigma for older generations, though this is changing.

In English, we use 'job hunting' or 'job seeking' interchangeably. In Japanese, 'kyūshoku' is significantly more formal than 'shigoto-sagashi.'

Hello Work (Government agency) Recruit (Major job-seeking corporation) Shūkatsu (The student job-hunting season)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Hello Work

求職の申し込みをしたいです。
求職票をください。
求職番号は何ですか？
求職登録は済みました。

In a formal interview

求職活動を通じて学んだこと。
前職を退職し、求職しております。
私の求職の動機は...
長期的な求職活動の結果...

On a resume/LinkedIn

現在求職中
求職活動の概要
求職中のスキルアップ
求職の目的

News/Economics

有効求職者数
新規求職者数
求職者の増加
求職市場の動向

Legal/Bureaucracy

求職活動の実績報告
求職者支援制度
求職受理日
求職の意思

Conversation Starters

"最近の求職活動はどうですか？ (How is your job seeking going recently?)"

"求職サイトはどこを使っていますか？ (Which job-seeking sites are you using?)"

"求職中に何か新しいスキルを学びましたか？ (Did you learn any new skills while job seeking?)"

"求職活動で一番大変なことは何ですか？ (What is the hardest thing about job seeking?)"

"求職の条件で譲れないものはありますか？ (Are there any job conditions you can't compromise on?)"

Journal Prompts

今日の求職活動の内容を詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about today's job-seeking activities.)

理想の職場と、今の求職状況を比べてみましょう。 (Compare your ideal workplace with your current job-seeking situation.)

求職活動を通じて、自分自身の強みをどう感じましたか？ (Through job seeking, what did you feel were your strengths?)

ハローワークに行った時の感想を書いてください。 (Write your impressions of when you went to Hello Work.)

求職活動が終わったら、まず何をしたいですか？ (Once your job seeking is over, what's the first thing you want to do?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

While technically correct, it's very formal. For part-time jobs, people usually say 'baito-sagashi.' Use 'kyūshoku' if you are at an official office like Hello Work, even if seeking part-time work.

You can say '私は求職者です' (Watashi wa kyūshoku-sha desu) or more naturally '現在、求職中です' (Genzai, kyūshoku-chū desu).

'Shūkatsu' is specifically for students graduating from school. 'Kyūshoku' is for anyone else in the labor market.

Yes, 'kyūshoku suru' (求職する) is a verb, but 'kyūshoku katsudō o suru' is much more common in natural speech.

It means 'Open to Work' or 'Currently seeking employment.' It's the standard professional status.

No, you can do 'kyūshoku' activities anywhere—online, through friends, or at private agencies. 'Hello Work' is just the official government center.

It is 求 (seek) and 職 (job). Be careful with the strokes in 職.

Not exactly. 'Shitsugyō' (unemployment) is the state of not having a job. 'Kyūshoku' is the active state of looking for one. You can be employed but still be 'kyūshoku' (looking for a better job).

It's a job-seeking card or slip provided by Hello Work that tracks your search activities.

It originates from administrative and economic terminology, which in Japan tends to use Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots to sound authoritative.