Executive Summary
Your first conversation with a tech recruiter is easier when you bring three things: a clear idea of the work you want, a couple of examples of what you can do, and the conditions that matter to you. You do not need a perfect career plan. If you are still exploring, explain what you want to learn before deciding whether to move.
Use the conversation to find out which roles could fit, what employers expect, and how the recruiter can help with applications, interviews, and salary discussions. The preparation table and questions below will help you leave with useful next steps—not just another promise to “keep in touch.”
What Is the First Recruiter Call For?
Before the call, ask whether you will be discussing your general job search or a specific vacancy. That small detail changes what you should prepare.
This guide focuses on conversations with an external recruitment agency. A call with a company’s own recruiter may be part of that employer’s selection process, with questions tied more closely to one position.
For an introductory agency conversation, prepare to explain what you have done, what you would like to do next, and what would make a move worthwhile. You should also learn about the recruiter’s areas of expertise and the support available to you. Treat the call as a working conversation: both sides need enough information to decide what to do next.
Still deciding how to apply? Read our guide to using a recruiter versus applying directly for tech jobs in Japan.
What Should You Prepare Before the Call?
Make a one-page note using the topics below. Short bullet points are enough. Keep your resume nearby, and send the version the recruiter has requested.
| Topic | What to prepare | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Target role | The work you want to do, your preferred level, and responsibilities you want to gain or avoid. | Which roles in your current portfolio fit these goals? |
| Relevant experience | Two projects showing the problem, your contribution, and the outcome. | Which parts of my experience would matter most to these employers? |
| Language | Tasks you can handle in English and Japanese, such as meetings, documentation, and customer discussions. | What language does the team use for daily work and interviews? |
| Location and working arrangements | Your current location, relocation preferences, and office or remote-work requirements. | Where must the employee live, and how often is office attendance required? |
| Compensation | Your target gross annual base salary in JPY, expectations for total compensation, and benefits that affect your decision. | What is the approved budget, and how is the package structured? |
| Timing and eligibility | Your notice period, realistic availability, and current work authorization where relevant. | What start date and employment eligibility does this role require? |
| Existing applications | Companies and roles you have already applied to, including applications through other agencies. | How will we check for duplicate applications before a submission? |
Separate your must-haves from your preferences. “I need to remain in Osaka” is different from “I would prefer Osaka but could consider Tokyo.” Clear priorities give the recruiter more useful information than a long list in which everything sounds equally important.
How Should You Introduce Yourself?
Start with your current work, one relevant strength, and the direction you want to take. You can discuss the full timeline later.
“I’m a backend engineer working mainly with Java and AWS. My recent work has focused on APIs and production reliability. I’m looking for a role where I can take more ownership of system design. I work comfortably in English and can handle everyday conversations in Japanese, but I would need to understand the team’s language expectations for technical discussions.”
For project examples, explain what you personally contributed. “Our team migrated a service” gives less insight than a brief explanation of which part you designed, which decisions you made, and what changed afterward. Use outcomes you can support; do not invent metrics to make a project sound impressive.
If your resume needs the same clarity, see our guide to writing an English tech resume for Japan. Describe confidential work without sharing private code, customer information, or internal documents.
How Can a Recruiter Help Beyond Finding Vacancies?
A job listing tells you the advertised requirements. A recruiter working with the employer may be able to explain why the team is hiring, which requirements matter most, and how your experience fits the position. Ask what information the recruiter has received directly from the employer.
Depending on the agency, employer relationship, and role, a recruiter may also help you:
- Present your experience: identify relevant projects and make your application easier for the hiring team to assess.
- Prepare for interviews: clarify the stages, format, and expectations the employer has shared.
- Coordinate communication: arrange interviews, relay questions, and request feedback.
- Discuss compensation: clarify the package, communicate your expectations, and help present a negotiation request when handling your application.
Ask which of these services the recruiter can provide for your search. The employer controls hiring and compensation decisions, so recruiter involvement does not guarantee an offer or a salary increase.
How Should You Talk About Salary?
Prepare your expectations before the conversation, even if you are still refining them. Explain what you want from the next role and how compensation fits that decision.
“My target base salary is JPY [amount] per year before tax. I would also like to understand the bonus, equity, and any fixed overtime component before comparing the full package.”
Keep base salary separate from variable bonuses and equity. If the quoted annual figure includes a fixed overtime allowance, ask how that allowance is calculated and shown in the offer. Two packages with the same headline figure can have different components.
If the recruiter asks about current compensation, clarify what information is needed and why. Keep your current package separate from your expectations for the new role, and do not misrepresent either.
To understand negotiation support, ask: “If we reach the offer stage, how would you help me discuss salary and other terms with the employer?” Then explain your priorities. A higher base salary, a different start date, and a particular working arrangement are different requests; the recruiter needs to know which matters most.
Which Questions Should You Ask Before Ending the Call?
You do not need to read through a questionnaire. Choose the questions that resolve your biggest uncertainties.
- Role fit: “Which roles would you suggest, and what makes my experience relevant?”
- Team expectations: “What would I be expected to own or deliver in this position?”
- Language: “Which interview stages and daily responsibilities require Japanese?”
- Compensation: “What budget has the employer shared, and what does that figure include?”
- Application support: “What preparation and feedback can you provide during the process?”
- Submission process: “Can we agree that you will confirm the company and role with me before submitting my profile?”
- Next steps: “What should each of us do next, and when should we check in?”
If the recruiter has no suitable vacancy, ask which requirement is limiting the match and whether there is a useful next step. A gap in one agency’s current vacancies does not tell you everything about your prospects across Japan.
What Should You Do After the Call?
Send a short recap while the conversation is fresh. Confirm your target roles, important conditions, any agreed resume changes, and the positions you want to discuss further.
- Confirm who will send the next document or update.
- Record which applications you have agreed to proceed with.
- Note the next contact date, if one was agreed.
- Tell the recruiter if your priorities, availability, or application status change.
The aim is simple: both you and the recruiter should know what happens next.
Start a Conversation About Your Tech Career in Japan
Talisman works with candidates seeking opportunities in Japan and has a specialist IT recruitment team. If you would like to discuss your next move, share the roles you are interested in, your relevant experience, location preferences, language skills, and timing.
Include the question you most want answered—whether that is about suitable roles, interview preparation, or support with salary discussions. Ask the team what assistance is available for your circumstances.
Talk to Talisman About Your Tech Career in Japan
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a finished resume before contacting a recruiter?
A current resume helps a recruiter understand your experience. If it is still being updated, explain that and ask what to send before the call. Prepare a short summary of your recent work and target roles so the conversation has a clear starting point.
Can a recruiter help me negotiate salary in Japan?
A recruiter handling your application may help clarify the employer’s budget, communicate your expectations, and present a negotiation request. Ask what support is available for the specific role. The employer decides the offer, and a higher salary is not guaranteed.
What if I have already applied directly to a company?
Tell the recruiter which company and role you applied to, and when. Ask the recruiter to check the situation before making another submission. Keeping an application list helps you and the recruiter avoid duplicate applications.
