Resume Guide for Bangladeshi IT Engineers Seeking Jobs in Japan

As someone who has reviewed countless resumes when hiring in Japan and also applied for positions myself, I've compiled essential advice specifically for Bangladeshi IT engineers looking to work in Japan.

Key Resume Guidelines

Optimizing for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

1. Include Essential Information

   • Name, email address, phone number (with country code)

   • Nationality, Japanese residency status (if applicable)

   • Previous time spent in Japan (if any)

   • Japanese language ability

2. Format for Readability

   • Use common fonts (Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman, Verdana)

   • Keep font size readable (10-12 pt)

   • Submit as a properly formatted PDF, not an image

3. Use Standard Section Headers

   • Avoid creative or unusual headings

   • Stick to conventional terms like "Work Experience" and "Education"

4. Avoid Graphics for Skills

   • Don't use skill bars, stars, or icons

   • Explicitly state your experience level in text

5. Mirror Keywords from Job Descriptions

   • If a job requires "Django," mentioning only "Python" or "RESTful frameworks" may get your resume filtered out

6. Use Spelling/Grammar Check Tools

   • Errors like "prostgreasql" instead of "PostgreSQL" can cause rejection

Making Your Resume Stand Out to Human Readers

1. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Tasks

   • Weak: "Maintained applications written in Java"

   • Better: "Maintained legacy application in Java; reduced crash frequency by 80%"

2. Add Specific Details and Context

   • Include metrics when possible

   • Name specific tools and frameworks

   • Example: "Led team of five to develop mobile application in Kotlin; created deployment configurations for 2,000+ internally-managed devices"

3. Show Alignment with the Role

   • Emphasize experience relevant to the job description

   • Include transferable skills that may benefit the company

   • Highlight leadership or mentorship if applying for senior roles

4. Include Relevant Personal Projects

   • Focus on projects with impressive metrics or relevance to the job

   • Example: "Developed an open-source project with 50,000+ active users"

5. Focus on Content Quality, Not Length

   • Include only relevant information

   • One-page limit is not strict for experienced professionals

   • Prioritize recent, relevant experience over older roles

6. Avoid Overly Personal Information

   • Don't include photos, street address, age, gender, or marital status

   • These details may introduce bias in the selection process

7. Clearly Describe Your Japanese Ability

   • Use concrete terms: "Business level" or "Conversational"

   • If using JLPT levels, add context (e.g., "Conversational Japanese, JLPT N3")

   • For positions advertised in English, submit your resume in English

Sample Work Experience Section

Current Company, Senior Software Engineer (2020-present) • Maintained legacy desktop application in Java; reduced crash frequency by 80% and lowered latency by ~800 ms • Led team of five to develop mobile application in Kotlin; created managed configurations for deploying to 2,000+ devices • Mentored two junior engineers in achieving full test coverage with JaCoCo • Collaborated with stakeholders to refine requirements and ensure timely delivery

Special Considerations for Bangladeshi IT Engineers

As a Bangladeshi IT professional, you may want to emphasize:

1. Adaptability to international environments

2. Previous experience working with Japanese clients or companies

3. Understanding of Japanese business culture (if applicable)

4. Your motivation for relocating to Japan

5. Any specialized skills that are in high demand in Japan

By following these guidelines, you'll create a resume that effectively showcases your skills and experience to Japanese employers, increasing your chances of landing interviews and ultimately securing a position in Japan's thriving IT industry.