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A1 noun #3,101 most common 11 min read

就職

shūshoku Top 3,101

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 就職 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 就職 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand '就職' (shūshoku) as a simple word meaning 'to get a job.' You will mostly use it in the form '就職する' (shūshoku suru). Imagine you are talking about your future or your family. You might say, 'I want to get a job in Japan' (日本で就職したいです). At this stage, don't worry about the complex social systems in Japan. Just remember that 'shūshoku' is the big word for getting a serious job, while 'arubaito' is for part-time work like in a cafe. You will see this word in basic textbooks when discussing careers or daily life. It is a noun that acts like a verb when you add 'suru.' Focus on the pattern: [Place] に就職する.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use '就職' in more varied sentences. You might talk about when you or someone else got a job, using the past tense '就職しました' (shūshoku shimashita). You should also learn the word '就職活動' (shūshoku katsudō), which means 'job hunting.' You can describe your friends' situations, such as 'My friend is job hunting now' (友達は今、就職活動をしています). You will also understand that this word is more formal than just saying 'work.' It implies a career path. You might see it on posters or in simple news stories about young people starting their careers in April.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '就職' to discuss social trends and personal goals in more detail. You can use it with various grammatical structures, such as '就職するために' (in order to find employment) or '就職が決まった' (employment has been decided/I got an offer). You should understand the nuance that 'shūshoku' usually refers to full-time employment (正社員). You might participate in a discussion about the difficulties of finding a job in a foreign country or the differences between the job market in your country and Japan. You should also recognize related words like '就職先' (shūshoku saki - the place where one gets a job).

At the B2 level, you can use '就職' to discuss complex economic and social issues. You should be familiar with terms like '就職氷河期' (shūshoku hyōgaki - employment ice age) and '就職率' (shūshoku ritsu - employment rate). You can express opinions on the Japanese 'shinsotsu' (new graduate) recruitment system and compare it with the 'tenshoku' (job change) culture. You should be able to read newspaper articles about labor shortages or the changing nature of 'shūshoku' in the digital age. Your usage should include formal honorifics when appropriate, such as 'ご就職' (go-shūshoku) when congratulating a superior's child or a formal acquaintance.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the sociolinguistic implications of '就職.' You can analyze how the concept of 'shūshoku' has evolved from the post-war lifetime employment era to the current era of more fluid labor markets. You can use the word in academic or professional presentations, discussing 'shūshoku shien' (employment support) policies or the psychological impact of 'shūkatsu' on university students. You should be able to nuance your speech by choosing between 'shūshoku,' 'nyūsha,' 'saiyō,' and 'shūgyō' with precision. You can also understand literary or metaphorical uses of the term in contemporary Japanese fiction.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '就職' is equivalent to a highly educated native speaker. You can engage in high-level debates about the structural reforms needed in the Japanese 'shūshoku' market. You understand the historical weight of the term in the context of Japan's economic development. You can interpret subtle nuances in political speeches or corporate reports that use 'shūshoku' to describe labor force dynamics. You are also aware of the most obscure compound words and idioms related to employment and can use them naturally in both formal writing and sophisticated conversation. You can critique the cultural expectations tied to 'shūshoku' and its role in shaping Japanese identity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

就職 in 30 Seconds

Shūshoku means finding a career-track job, typically after graduating from school.
It is a suru-verb (shūshoku suru) and uses the particle 'ni' for the company.
It differs from 'hataraku' (to work) because it focus on the entry event.
Cultural significance is high, often tied to becoming a mature member of society.

The Japanese term 就職 (しゅうしょく - Shūshoku) is a cornerstone of Japanese social and professional life. At its most basic level, it translates to finding employment or getting a job. However, in the Japanese cultural context, it carries a weight that often exceeds the simple English equivalent. It specifically refers to the transition from a state of non-employment—most commonly being a student—into the formal workforce as a regular employee (正社員 - seishain). When a university student in Japan spends their final year attending seminars, taking exams, and going through multiple rounds of interviews, they are engaged in shūshoku katsudō (job hunting), and the successful conclusion of this grueling process is 就職.

The Nuance of Entry: Unlike the word 'working' (働く - hataraku), which describes the action of labor, shūshoku describes the event of entering a company or profession. It is the gate through which one passes to become a functioning member of society (社会人 - shakaijin).

兄は大学を卒業して、有名な銀行に就職しました。 (My older brother graduated from university and found employment at a famous bank.)

The term is also used when someone who has been unemployed or a homemaker decides to enter the workforce for the first time or after a very long hiatus. It is less commonly used for 'changing jobs' (転職 - tenshoku), which has its own specific term. Shūshoku implies a new beginning, a significant life milestone that is often celebrated with gifts (就職祝い - shūshoku iwai) and formal announcements to family and friends. In the Japanese media, you will frequently hear about the 'shūshoku rate' (就職率), which is a key economic indicator reflecting the percentage of graduates who successfully found jobs.

Social Identity: In Japan, where you work often defines your social standing. Therefore, the act of shūshoku is seen as the moment one's adult identity is forged. It is not just about a paycheck; it is about finding one's place in the collective social order.

息子が無事に就職できて、安心しました。 (I am relieved that my son was able to find a job without any issues.)

Furthermore, the word is deeply tied to the concept of the 'New Graduate Recruitment' (新卒採用 - shinsotsu saiyō) system. In this system, companies hire large cohorts of students simultaneously. If a student fails to achieve 就職 during this window, it is traditionally seen as a significant setback, though this cultural rigidity is slowly changing. Understanding this word requires understanding that it represents the bridge between the freedom of youth and the responsibilities of adulthood in Japan.

Institutional Context: You will see this word on government buildings like 'Hello Work' (public employment security offices) which are officially called 公共職業安定所, but are essentially centers for shūshoku support. It appears in legal documents, news broadcasts regarding the economy, and school guidance counseling offices.

彼は海外の企業に就職することを希望しています。 (He hopes to find employment at an overseas company.)

パン屋に就職して、職人を目指します。 (I will find employment at a bakery and aim to become a craftsman.)

Using 就職 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its transformation into a suru-verb. When functioning as a noun, it often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, or as part of a compound noun. For example, shūshoku ga kimaru means 'one's employment has been decided' (meaning you got the job offer). When you want to say 'I got a job at [Company]', you use the particle に to mark the destination of your employment.

The 'Ni' Particle Rule: Standard: [Organization] + に + 就職する. Example: 'Sony ni shūshoku suru' (To get a job at Sony). This 'ni' indicates the point of entry into the organization.

彼女は卒業後、地元の市役所に就職しました。 (After graduation, she found employment at the local city hall.)

Another common grammatical structure involves the noun 就職 followed by other nouns to create specific terms. 就職活動 (Shūshoku katsudō), often shortened to 就活 (shūkatsu), is perhaps the most frequent compound. This refers to the entire process of job hunting, from research to the final handshake. Similarly, 就職難 (shūshokunan) refers to a period of job scarcity or a 'difficult employment ice age'.

Transitive vs. Intransitive nuance: While 'shūshoku suru' is the person getting the job, 'shūshoku saseru' (causative) means to help someone else find employment or to place them in a job. This is often used by parents or vocational schools.

今の経済状況では、大企業への就職は非常に難しい。 (In the current economic climate, finding employment at a large corporation is extremely difficult.)

In formal speeches, such as at a graduation or a wedding, 就職 is treated with high respect. You might hear go-shūshoku (adding the honorific 'go') when referring to someone else's employment. For example, 'Go-shūshoku omedetō gozaimasu' (Congratulations on your new job). This elevates the word from a simple status change to a celebrated achievement.

Common Verb Pairings: - 就職を希望する (To desire employment)
- 就職を斡旋する (To mediate/arrange employment)
- 就職が決まる (Employment is finalized)

彼は就職のために、たくさんの資格を取りました。 (He obtained many certifications for the sake of finding employment.)

第一志望の会社に就職できたのは、彼の努力の結果だ。 (Being able to find employment at his first-choice company is the result of his hard work.)

If you are in Japan during the months of March and April, 就職 is everywhere. March is the end of the academic and fiscal year, and April is the start of the new one. This is the 'shūshoku season'. You will see groups of young people in identical black suits (called 'recruit suits') walking through business districts like Marunouchi or Shinjuku. They are in the midst of their shūshoku katsudō. You will hear the word in every train station, on posters for recruitment fairs (就職フェア), and on the news.

On the News: News anchors frequently report on the 'Shūshoku-ritsu' (employment rate). They might say, 'This year's employment rate for university graduates has reached a record high,' using formal language like 'kō-suijun' (high level) alongside 'shūshoku'.

ニュース：今年の大学生の就職内定率は、昨年を上回りました。 (News: This year's job offer rate for university students exceeded last year's.)

In a casual setting, such as a family dinner, a parent might ask their college-aged child, 'Shūshoku, dō na no?' (How is the job hunting going?). Here, 'shūshoku' acts as a shorthand for the entire process and the result. In anime and drama series, the 'struggling job hunter' is a common trope. Characters often express their anxiety about not being able to 'shūshoku' and thus failing to meet societal expectations.

In Schools: Universities have a 'Shūshoku Shien Ka' (Career Support Office). Students go there to look at job postings, get their resumes checked, and practice for interviews. The word is printed on countless brochures and signs in these offices.

キャリアセンター：就職相談の予約は、ウェブサイトからお願いします。 (Career Center: Please make an appointment for employment consultation via the website.)

You will also encounter this word in literature and academic discussions about the 'Lost Decade' or 'Employment Ice Age' (就職氷河期 - shūshoku hyōgaki). This refers to the period after the Japanese asset price bubble burst, when finding a job was incredibly difficult. It is a phrase that resonates deeply with the Generation X and older Millennials in Japan, often used in documentaries and sociological studies.

Social Media: On platforms like X (Twitter) or LinkedIn (which is growing in Japan), users use hashtags like #就職 or #就活 to share tips, vent about interview failures, or announce their 'nai-tei' (unofficial job offer).

SNSの投稿：ついに第一志望の企業に就職が決まりました！ (Social Media Post: I finally finalized my employment at my first-choice company!)

先生：皆さんの就職がうまくいくように応援しています。 (Teacher: I am rooting for all of your job hunting to go well.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 就職 is confusing it with other words related to work, such as hataraku (to work) or shigoto (job/work). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. Shūshoku is an event or a status change, whereas hataraku is the continuous action of labor. You cannot say 'I am shūshoku-ing right now' to mean 'I am at my desk working.' For that, you use 'hataraite imasu' or 'shigoto o shite imasu'.

Mistake: Confusing Shūshoku with Hataraku: Incorrect: 毎日、銀行で就職しています。 (I 'shūshoku' at the bank every day.)
Correct: 毎日、銀行で働いています。 (I work at the bank every day.)
Shūshoku only happens once per job (at the start).

❌ 私は明日から就職します。(Wrong if you mean 'I'm going to work tomorrow'.)
✅ 私は明日から新しい会社に就職します。 (Correct if tomorrow is your first day ever at a new career.)

Another error involves the distinction between 就職 and 転職 (tenshoku). As mentioned earlier, tenshoku specifically means 'changing jobs' (moving from one company to another). While shūshoku can broadly mean 'getting a job', it is most strongly associated with the first job after school. If a seasoned professional says they are 'shūshoku suru', it might sound slightly odd unless they have been out of the workforce for a long time. They should use tenshoku suru or saishūshoku suru (re-employment).

Mistake: Using it for Part-time Jobs: Incorrect: コンビニに就職しました。 (I got a career job at a convenience store—unlikely unless you are in corporate.)
Correct: コンビニでアルバイトを始めました。 (I started a part-time job at a convenience store.)

❌ 就職を探しています。 (I am looking for 'the act of entering a company'.)
✅ 仕事を探しています。 (I am looking for work.)
✅ 就職先を探しています。 (I am looking for a place to be employed.)

Lastly, learners sometimes forget that shūshoku is a noun. When using it as a verb, you must attach suru. However, in titles or news headlines, the suru is often dropped for brevity. In spoken Japanese, failing to add suru when you intend it to be a verb will make your sentence grammatically incomplete. For example, 'Watashi wa raigetsu shūshoku' is a fragment that needs 'shimasu' to be a full sentence.

Register Confusion: Shūshoku is a formal/neutral word. In very casual slang, students might use 'shūkatsu' (job hunting) as a verb (shūkatsu suru), but 'shūshoku' remains the standard term for the actual employment event.

❌ 彼は就職が上手です。 (He is good at 'getting a job'—sounds like he gets hired and quits constantly.)
✅ 彼は就職活動が上手です。 (He is good at the process of job hunting.)

❌ どこに就職していますか？ (Where are you 'in the state of having just entered'?)
✅ どこで働いていますか？ (Where do you work?)

To truly master the vocabulary of the Japanese workplace, you need to know how 就職 compares to its synonyms and related terms. While shūshoku is the general term for finding employment, several other words offer more specific nuances depending on the context of the hire or the nature of the work.

就職 (Shūshoku) vs. 採用 (Saiyō): 就職 is from the perspective of the employee (I got a job). 採用 is from the perspective of the employer (We hired/adopted someone). You 'shūshoku' at a company, but the company 'saiyō' you.

会社は彼をエンジニアとして採用した。 (The company hired him as an engineer.)

Another important distinction is 入社 (Nyūsha). While shūshoku means 'finding employment' (the abstract concept), nyūsha literally means 'entering the company' (the physical and administrative act). In speeches, you often hear 'Congratulations on your nyūsha' because it refers to the specific organization they are joining.

就職 (Shūshoku) vs. 転職 (Tenshoku): 就職 is generally for first-time employment or returning to work. 転職 is specifically for moving from one job to another. If you quit Google to work at Apple, that is 'tenshoku'.

Other Related Terms: - 内定 (Naitei): An unofficial job offer.
- 正社員 (Seishain): A full-time, regular employee.
- 退職 (Taishoku): Leaving a job/retiring.

彼は就職ではなく、起業を選んだ。 (He chose starting a business instead of finding employment.)

Finally, consider 就業 (Shūgyō). This is a more formal and technical term often used in legal contexts, like 'shūgyō kisoku' (work rules). While shūshoku is about the transition into a job, shūgyō is about the state of being engaged in work or the commencement of daily work hours.

Quick Comparison Table: - 就職: Getting a job (General/Focus on entry)
- 入社: Joining a company (Specific to an entity)
- 採用: Hiring (Employer's perspective)
- 登用: Appointment (Promotion or hiring for a specific high post)

安定した企業への就職は、多くの学生の夢です。 (Finding employment at a stable company is the dream of many students.)

彼は就職氷河期に苦労した世代だ。 (He belongs to the generation that struggled during the employment ice age.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '就' also appears in '成就' (jōju), which means fulfillment or realization of a dream. This gives 'shūshoku' a nuance of achieving a goal.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ʃuː.ʃɔ.ku

US ʃu.ʃoʊ.ku

The pitch accent is 'Heiban' (Flat), meaning the pitch starts low and stays high for the rest of the word: shu-USHOKU.

Rhymes With

Kōshoku (public office) Tōshoku (this office) Hōshoku (gluttony) Rōshoku (candle) Chōshoku (breakfast) Yūshoku (dinner) Kyūshoku (school lunch) Genshoku (current post)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shū' as a short 'shu'.
Over-emphasizing the 'u' at the end of 'ku' (it should be almost silent).
Confusing the pitch accent with 'shūshoku' (ornamentation), though they are similar.
Incorrectly stressing the first syllable.
Merging the two 'sh' sounds into one.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but require N3 level knowledge to read comfortably.

Writing 4/5

Writing 'shoku' (職) can be tricky for beginners due to the number of strokes.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you remember the long vowel 'ū'.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in news and conversations, making it easy to recognize.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

会社 (Company) 仕事 (Work) 学生 (Student) 卒業 (Graduation) 働く (To work)

Learn Next

履歴書 (Resume) 面接 (Interview) 給料 (Salary) 残業 (Overtime) 転職 (Job change)

Advanced

終身雇用 (Lifetime employment) 労働基準法 (Labor Standards Act) 福利厚生 (Welfare/Benefits) キャリア形成 (Career formation) 有効求人倍率 (Job-to-applicant ratio)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

就職する (To find employment)

Destination Particle 'Ni'

IT企業に就職する

Purpose with 'No tame ni'

就職のために資格を取る

Nominalization with 'No'

就職するのは大変だ

Sequential actions with 'Te' form

卒業して就職する

Examples by Level

私は日本で就職したいです。

I want to find employment in Japan.

Uses the ~tai form (desire) with the suru-verb.

兄は銀行に就職しました。

My older brother found a job at a bank.

Uses the particle 'ni' to indicate the destination.

いつ就職しますか？

When will you get a job?

Simple question using the verb form.

就職おめでとう！

Congratulations on getting the job!

The noun is used as a standalone exclamation.

田中さんは会社に就職しました。

Mr. Tanaka found a job at a company.

Standard subject-particle-verb structure.

就職は大変ですか？

Is finding a job difficult?

Uses the noun 'shūshoku' as the subject.

いい会社に就職したいです。

I want to get a job at a good company.

Adjective 'ii' modifies the noun 'kaisha'.

卒業して、就職します。

I will graduate and then get a job.

Uses the 'te' form to connect sequential actions.

彼は就職活動を頑張っています。

He is working hard on his job hunting.

Uses the compound noun 'shūshoku katsudō'.

どこに就職が決まりましたか？

Where was your employment decided (where did you get the job)?

The verb 'kimaru' (to be decided) is often used with 'shūshoku'.

就職のために、日本語を勉強します。

I study Japanese for the sake of finding a job.

Uses 'no tame ni' to indicate purpose.

姉は去年、先生として就職しました。

My older sister found a job as a teacher last year.

Uses 'toshite' to mean 'as/in the capacity of'.

就職のお祝いを買いましょう。

Let's buy a gift to celebrate the new job.

Uses 'o-iwai' (celebration/gift) with the noun.

まだ就職先が見つかりません。

I haven't found a place of employment yet.

Uses 'shūshoku saki' (employment destination).

就職試験はとても難しかったです。

The employment exam was very difficult.

Compound noun 'shūshoku shiken' (employment exam).

父は有名なメーカーに就職しました。

My father got a job at a famous manufacturer.

Past tense of the suru-verb.

就職が決まったので、引っ越しをします。

Since my employment was decided, I am going to move.

Uses 'node' to indicate a reason.

大学を卒業しても、すぐに就職できない人がいます。

There are people who cannot find a job immediately even after graduating university.

Uses the potential negative 'dekinai'.

彼は就職氷河期に苦労したそうです。

I heard that he struggled during the employment ice age.

Uses 'sou desu' (I heard that).

就職活動のやり方を教えてください。

Please teach me how to do job hunting.

Uses '~kata' (way of doing).

海外で就職するのは、私の夢です。

Finding employment abroad is my dream.

Uses 'no' to nominalize the phrase.

就職相談のために、キャリアセンターへ行きました。

I went to the career center for an employment consultation.

Compound noun 'shūshoku sōdan'.

今の会社に就職して、もう五年になります。

It has already been five years since I got a job at my current company.

Uses the 'te' form + 'mou ~ ni narimasu'.

就職を希望する学生が増えています。

The number of students who wish to find employment is increasing.

Uses 'kibō suru' (to hope/desire) to modify students.

景気が悪化すると、就職難が深刻になります。

When the economy worsens, the job scarcity becomes serious.

Uses 'to' for natural consequence.

彼は専門的なスキルを活かして、IT企業に就職した。

He utilized his specialized skills to find employment at an IT company.

Uses 'o ikashite' (utilizing).

就職率の向上は、政府の重要な課題だ。

Improving the employment rate is an important task for the government.

Formal compound 'shūshoku-ritsu no kōjō'.

就職浪人を避けるために、彼は必死に勉強している。

He is studying desperately to avoid being a 'shūshoku rōnin' (unemployed graduate).

Uses the specific term 'shūshoku rōnin'.

大企業への就職だけが成功の道ではない。

Finding employment at a large corporation is not the only path to success.

Uses 'dake ga ~ dewa nai'.

彼女は育児休暇を終えて、再就職を果たした。

She finished her childcare leave and successfully achieved re-employment.

Uses 'sai-shūshoku' (re-employment).

就職活動において、自己分析は不可欠である。

In job hunting, self-analysis is indispensable.

Uses formal 'ni oite' (in/at).

彼は安定した職業に就職することを強く望んでいる。

He strongly desires to find employment in a stable profession.

Uses 'tsuyoku nozomu' (strongly desire).

新規学卒者の就職内定率は、景気動向に大きく左右される。

The job offer rate for new graduates is greatly influenced by economic trends.

Uses passive 'sayū sareru' (to be influenced).

就職支援プログラムの充実が、若者の離職率低下に繋がる。

The enhancement of employment support programs leads to a decrease in the turnover rate of young people.

Uses 'ni tsunagaru' (leads to).

彼は終身雇用を前提とした就職観に疑問を抱いている。

He harbors doubts about the view of employment based on lifetime employment.

Uses 'gimon o idaku' (to harbor doubts).

就職氷河期世代に対する救済措置が、ようやく議論され始めた。

Relief measures for the employment ice age generation have finally begun to be discussed.

Uses 'ni taisuru' (toward/for).

グローバル化に伴い、海外企業への就職を選択する若者が増えている。

With globalization, the number of young people choosing employment at overseas companies is increasing.

Uses 'ni tomonai' (along with).

就職のミスマッチを防ぐためには、インターンシップが有効だ。

Internships are effective in preventing employment mismatches.

Uses 'fusegu tame ni' (in order to prevent).

彼は長年の夢だった宇宙関連の機関への就職を勝ち取った。

He won employment at a space-related organization, which had been his long-held dream.

Uses 'kachi-toru' (to win/achieve through effort).

就職における多様性の確保は、現代企業の急務となっている。

Ensuring diversity in employment has become an urgent task for modern companies.

Uses 'kyūmu' (urgent task).

就職という行為は、単なる労働契約の締結に留まらず、社会制度への参入を意味する。

The act of finding employment is not limited to the conclusion of a labor contract; it signifies entry into the social system.

Uses 'ni todomarazu' (not limited to).

高度経済成長期における就職は、企業への帰属意識と表裏一体であった。

Employment during the high economic growth period was inseparable from a sense of belonging to the company.

Uses 'hyōri ittai' (two sides of the same coin).

デジタル・トランスフォーメーションが就職市場の構造を根本から変容させている。

Digital transformation is fundamentally transforming the structure of the employment market.

Uses 'konpon kara' (from the roots/fundamentally).

就職氷河期がもたらした社会的損失は、今なお日本経済に影を落としている。

The social loss brought about by the employment ice age still casts a shadow over the Japanese economy today.

Uses 'kage o otosu' (to cast a shadow).

労働力の流動化が進む中で、従来の「就職」の概念自体が再定義を迫られている。

As the fluidity of the labor force progresses, the conventional concept of 'shūshoku' itself is being forced into redefinition.

Uses 'saiteigi o semararete iru' (being forced to redefine).

就職における格差の是正は、持続可能な社会の実現に向けた不可避の課題である。

Correcting disparities in employment is an unavoidable task toward the realization of a sustainable society.

Uses 'ni muketa' (toward).

彼は、組織に属する就職という形態よりも、個人の自律性を重んじる働き方を提唱している。

He advocates for a way of working that values individual autonomy over the form of employment belonging to an organization.

Uses 'yori mo' (rather than) for comparison.

就職というライフイベントが個人のアイデンティティ形成に及ぼす影響は極めて大きい。

The influence that the life event of finding employment exerts on the formation of an individual's identity is extremely large.

Uses 'ni oyobosu' (to exert/reach).

Synonyms

採用入社雇用職に就く勤める

Antonyms

退職離職失業

Common Collocations

就職活動

就職氷河期

就職率

就職先

就職祝い

就職難

就職希望者

就職内定

就職試験

再就職

Common Phrases

就職が決まる

— To have one's employment finalized, meaning you received and accepted a job offer.

ついに第一志望の会社に就職が決まりました。

就職に有利

— To be advantageous for finding employment. Often used regarding skills or licenses.

英語ができると就職に有利です。

就職を控える

— To be on the verge of finding employment or starting a job soon.

就職を控えた学生たちが集まっている。

就職活動に励む

— To work hard or devote oneself to job hunting activities.

彼は毎日、就職活動に励んでいる。

就職の道を選ぶ

— To choose the path of finding employment (often contrasted with continuing education).

彼は進学せず、就職の道を選んだ。

就職をあっせんする

— To help someone find a job or to mediate a job placement.

学校が学生に就職をあっせんする。

就職戦線

— The 'employment battlefront,' describing the competitive nature of job hunting.

今年の就職戦線は非常に厳しい。

就職浪人

— A person who has graduated but failed to find a job and continues job hunting.

彼は就職浪人としてもう一年頑張ることにした。

就職口を探す

— To look for a job opening or a position to fill.

ハローワークで就職口を探す。

就職フェア

— A job fair where many companies gather to recruit students and job seekers.

週末に開催される就職フェアに参加する。

Often Confused With

就職 vs 働く (Hataraku)

Hataraku is the action of working. Shūshoku is the event of getting the job.

就職 vs 仕事 (Shigoto)

Shigoto is the noun for 'work' or 'job'. You can 'have a job' (shigoto ga aru) but you 'do shūshoku' to get it.

就職 vs アルバイト (Arubaito)

Arubaito is part-time work. Shūshoku is for permanent career-track employment.

Idioms & Expressions

"職を食う"

— To take away someone else's job or livelihood. Not directly using 'shūshoku' but related to 'shoku'.

AIが人間の職を食うと言われている。

Common

"手に職をつける"

— To acquire a specialized skill or trade that ensures one can always find work.

将来のために、手に職をつけたい。

Common

"食いっぱぐれる"

— To lose one's means of support or fail to make a living.

この資格があれば、食いっぱぐれることはない。

Colloquial

"重職に就く"

— To take up an important or heavy responsibility post.

彼は若くして政府の重職に就いた。

Formal

"門戸を開く"

— To open the doors (to employment or opportunity).

その企業は未経験者にも就職の門戸を開いている。

Formal

"狭き門"

— A 'narrow gate,' referring to a position or school that is extremely difficult to enter.

その大企業への就職は、まさに狭き門だ。

Common

"青田買い"

— Hiring students long before they graduate (literally 'buying rice while the field is still green').

企業の青田買いが問題になっている。

Business/Journalism

"腰掛け"

— A 'temporary seat,' referring to a job one takes while waiting for something better.

この仕事は就職までの腰掛けにすぎない。

Informal

"職を辞する"

— To resign from one's position.

不祥事の責任を取って職を辞した。

Formal

"引く手あまた"

— To be in high demand; to have many job offers or suitors.

優秀なエンジニアはどこでも引く手あまただ。

Common

Easily Confused

就職 vs 入社 (Nyūsha)

Both mean joining a company.

Shūshoku is the general concept of getting a job. Nyūsha is specifically entering a particular company.

来月、トヨタに入社します。

就職 vs 採用 (Saiyō)

Both relate to the hiring process.

Shūshoku is the employee getting the job. Saiyō is the employer hiring the person.

彼を正社員として採用した。

就職 vs 転職 (Tenshoku)

Both involve getting a new job.

Shūshoku is usually the first job or starting after a gap. Tenshoku is moving from one company to another.

給料を上げるために転職した。

就職 vs 就業 (Shūgyō)

Both start with 'shū' and relate to work.

Shūgyō is a technical term for 'being at work' or 'working hours'.

就業時間は9時からです。

就職 vs 求職 (Kyūshoku)

Both relate to the job market.

Kyūshoku means 'looking for a job' (the state of the seeker).

求職中の人がハローワークに集まる。

Sentence Patterns

[Place] に就職します。

銀行に就職します。

[Noun] のために就職活動をします。

将来のために就職活動をします。

[Place] に就職が決まりました。

第一志望の会社に就職が決まりました。

卒業してから、就職するつもりです。

大学を卒業してから、就職するつもりです。

[Skill] を活かして、就職する。

英語を活かして、外資系企業に就職する。

就職難の時期に[Action]。

就職難の時期に必死で働いた。

[Condition] が就職率に影響を与える。

景気後退が就職率に悪影響を与える。

就職というライフイベントを通じて、[Insight]。

就職というライフイベントを通じて、社会の仕組みを学んだ。

Word Family

Nouns

就職 (Employment)

就職者 (Employed person)

就職口 (Job opening)

就職難 (Job scarcity)

Verbs

就職する (To find employment)

再就職する (To find re-employment)

Adjectives

就職可能な (Employable)

仕事 (Work)

職業 (Occupation)

職場 (Workplace)

職務 (Duties)

職員 (Staff)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high, especially in spring and during economic discussions.

Common Mistakes

Using 'de' instead of 'ni'. → 銀行に就職する。
Shūshoku is the act of entering an organization, so 'ni' (to/into) is the appropriate particle.
Using it for part-time jobs. → カフェでアルバイトをする。
Shūshoku is reserved for career-track, full-time employment.
Confusing it with 'hataraku'. → 毎日、銀行で働いています。
Hataraku describes the daily action of working, while shūshoku is the one-time event of getting the job.
Using it for changing jobs. → 新しい会社に転職する。
While shūshoku can broadly mean finding work, 'tenshoku' is the correct term for moving between companies.
Forgetting 'suru' when using it as a verb. → 来年、就職します。
Shūshoku is a noun. To use it as a verb, you must add 'suru'.

Tips

Always use 'ni'

Remember to use the particle 'ni' for the company you are entering. 'Kaisha NI shūshoku suru' is the only correct way. Using 'o' or 'de' is a common mistake for beginners.

The Suit Culture

In Japan, 'shūshoku' is associated with 'recruit suits'—plain black or navy suits. If you see many young people in these suits, you know it's job-hunting season.

Shūkatsu vs. Shūshoku

Learn 'shūkatsu' as a shortcut. It's used much more in casual talk than the full 'shūshoku katsudō'. It makes you sound more like a native speaker.

Becoming a Shakaijin

Understand that 'shūshoku' is the moment someone becomes a 'shakaijin' (member of society). It's a big deal and carries a lot of social responsibility.

Avoid for part-time

Never use 'shūshoku' for a part-time job (arubaito). It sounds like you are making a massive life commitment to a temporary job.

Elongate the 'ū'

The long 'ū' in 'shū' is important. Practice saying 'shuu-shoku' to ensure you aren't saying 'shu-shoku' (which sounds like 'ornament').

Write the 'ear' in 'shoku'

The kanji for 'shoku' (職) has an 'ear' radical (耳) on the left. Think of it as listening for job opportunities!

April is the Month

Most 'shūshoku' happens in April. If you're writing a story or diary, April is the most realistic time to mention starting a new job.

Add 'Go' for others

When talking about someone else's job success, use 'go-shūshoku' to show respect. It sounds much more sophisticated.

Nai-tei is the Goal

In the world of 'shūshoku', the 'nai-tei' (unofficial offer) is the ultimate goal. Once you have it, you can relax!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SHOE' (Shū) and 'SHOCK' (Shoku). Getting your first job is like putting on professional shoes, but the interview process is a shock to the system!

Visual Association

Imagine a university student standing at a gate. On the gate, it says 'SHŪSHOKU'. Once they pass through, they are wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase.

Word Web

会社 (Company) 面接 (Interview) 履歴書 (Resume) 給料 (Salary) スーツ (Suit) 卒業 (Graduation) 内定 (Offer) 新卒 (New graduate)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about what kind of company you want to 'shūshoku' at and why, using the particle 'ni'.

Word Origin

Composed of two Kanji: '就' (Shū) meaning 'to settle in,' 'to take up,' or 'to approach,' and '職' (Shoku) meaning 'employment,' 'post,' or 'job.' Together, they literally mean 'to settle into a post.'

Original meaning: Taking up a position or official duty, often used in ancient times for government appointments.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking people about 'shūshoku' if they are currently unemployed, as it is a very sensitive and high-pressure topic in Japan.

In the West, 'getting a job' is often seen as an individual achievement that can happen at any time. In Japan, it is a synchronized social event for young people.

The movie 'What a Wonderful Family!' often depicts the struggles of family members with employment. The term 'Shūshoku Hyōgaki' is a major theme in Japanese sociology books. The song 'Gasshō' by RADWIMPS touches on the anxieties of youth and the future.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Graduation

卒業後の就職
就職先が決まる
就職のお祝い
就職活動の報告

Job Hunting (Shūkatsu)

就職フェアに参加する
就職試験を受ける
就職活動を始める
就職の相談をする

Economic News

就職率の推移
就職氷河期の再来
若者の就職支援
就職難の解消

Family Conversations

息子が就職した
就職はどうなの？
いい会社に就職してほしい
就職祝いを贈る

Career Support Offices

就職ガイダンス
就職情報の提供
就職カウンセリング
就職実績

Conversation Starters

"卒業後はどこに就職したいですか？ (Where do you want to find employment after graduation?)"

"最近の就職活動はどうですか？ (How is your job hunting going lately?)"

"あなたの国では就職は難しいですか？ (Is finding a job difficult in your country?)"

"就職が決まったら、何をしたいですか？ (What do you want to do once your employment is decided?)"

"初めて就職した時のことを覚えていますか？ (Do you remember when you first found employment?)"

Journal Prompts

日本で就職することについてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about finding employment in Japan?)

理想の就職先はどんな会社ですか？ (What kind of company is your ideal place of employment?)

就職活動で一番大変なことは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the hardest thing about job hunting?)

私の国の就職システムと日本の違い。 (The differences between my country's employment system and Japan's.)

就職が決まった自分への手紙。 (A letter to myself once my employment is decided.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. For part-time jobs, use 'arubaito' or 'baito'. 'Shūshoku' implies a more permanent, career-oriented role, usually as a regular employee (seishain). Using 'shūshoku' for a part-time gig at a cafe would sound very strange to a native speaker.

'Shūshoku' is the act of getting the job or the employment itself. 'Shūkatsu' is short for 'shūshoku katsudō', which is the process of job hunting (writing resumes, attending interviews). You do 'shūkatsu' in order to achieve 'shūshoku'.

You should use the particle 'ni' (に) to indicate the company or organization you are joining. For example: 'Sony ni shūshoku suru'. Using 'de' (で) is incorrect because 'shūshoku' is an entry event, not a continuous action taking place at a location.

It is a standard, neutral word that can be used in both formal and daily situations. In very formal settings, like a speech, you might add the honorific 'go' to make it 'go-shūshoku'. In very casual student talk, 'shūkatsu' is more common.

The peak 'shūshoku' season is April, which is the start of the Japanese fiscal and academic year. However, the 'shūkatsu' (job hunting) process for students usually starts a year or more before they actually graduate in March.

'Nai-tei' means an unofficial job offer. So 'shūshoku nai-tei' is the promise of employment given to a student before they have actually graduated. It is a very important milestone in the Japanese job-hunting process.

While it technically means 'finding employment,' the specific word for changing jobs is 'tenshoku'. If you use 'shūshoku' as a mid-career professional, it might imply you were unemployed for a long time and are now re-entering the workforce.

It translates to 'employment ice age.' It refers to periods in Japanese history (especially the 1990s and early 2000s) when the economy was poor and it was extremely difficult for new graduates to find jobs.

You can say 'Go-shūshoku omedetō gozaimasu' (ご就職おめでとうございます). This is the standard polite way to congratulate someone on their successful employment.

Yes, very often! Many 'slice of life' or 'drama' anime feature characters who are struggling with 'shūkatsu' or celebrating their first 'shūshoku'. It's a relatable theme for many Japanese viewers.