Rirekisho vs Shokumu Keirekisho: What They Are, Key Differences, and When You Need Both

In Japan, job applications usually require two different documents: the Rirekisho (履歴書) and the Shokumu Keirekisho (職務経歴書). Many people—especially foreigners and first-time job seekers—feel confused because these documents look similar, but they have very different purposes.

This guide explains what each one means, when you should submit them, and how to prepare them correctly. And if you want to save time, you can create both as professional Japanese PDFs on our website: Rirekisho Builder and our new Shokumu Keirekisho Builder with optional dummy data.

What is a Rirekisho (履歴書)?

A Rirekisho is Japan’s standard resume format. It is mainly a summary document that shows your basic profile. Companies use it to quickly check who you are and whether you match the job requirements.

A typical Rirekisho includes:

• Name, address, contact details
• Education history (学校歴)
• Work history (職歴) in short lines
• Licenses/certifications
• Motivation and self-PR (志望動機・自己PR)
• Photo (often requested)

Think of the Rirekisho as a formal profile sheet.

Tip: If you are applying for part-time jobs (アルバイト) or entry-level roles, sometimes the Rirekisho alone is enough. For mid-career jobs, companies often want a Shokumu Keirekisho too.

You can create, edit and download a clean Japanese-style Rirekisho PDF here: https://rirekishobuilder.com/rirekisho/create-with

What is a Shokumu Keirekisho (職務経歴書)?

A Shokumu Keirekisho is a more detailed document focusing on your professional experience. It explains what you did, how you did it, and what results you achieved. In many Japanese companies, this document is the one that strongly affects hiring decisions for mid-career roles.

A strong Shokumu Keirekisho typically includes:

• Career summary (職務要約)
• Work experience by company/project
• Your responsibilities and achievements
• Skills (tools, tech, languages)
• Strengths and value you can provide

You can think of it as a document that explains why you are the right candidate for the job.

If you are not sure how to start, using structured sections and even dummy data as a template can help. Our new builder lets you create a professional Shokumu Keirekisho step-by-step: Shokumu Keirekisho Builder (with dummy data)

When to Submit Rirekisho Only (履歴書だけでOK)?

In some job applications in Japan, submitting only a Rirekisho is acceptable and sometimes even expected. This usually applies to roles where detailed professional experience is not the main evaluation point.

You can generally submit just a Rirekisho in the following situations:

• Part-time or casual jobs (アルバイト): Employers mainly want to confirm your basic information, availability, and background rather than detailed achievements.
• New graduate applications: If you have little or no full-time work experience, companies understand that your career history is limited and focus more on education and motivation.
• Job postings that request only a Rirekisho: Many listings clearly state the required documents, and in such cases, submitting extra paperwork is not necessary.
• Small businesses or local companies: These employers often prefer a simple screening process and may not require a separate career history document.

That said, if you already have relevant work experience, skills, or achievements, attaching a Shokumu Keirekisho can still be a strong advantage. Even when it is not required, it allows you to explain your strengths in more detail and can help you stand out from other applicants.

When You Should Submit Both (履歴書＋職務経歴書)

For many job applications in Japan, submitting both a Rirekisho and a Shokumu Keirekisho is not just recommended—it is often expected. This is especially true for roles where companies want to understand not only your background, but also the value and skills you can bring to the team.

You should strongly consider submitting both documents in the following situations:

• Applying for full-time positions (正社員): Most companies hiring full-time employees expect a complete set of documents to evaluate candidates properly.
• Mid-career or job-change applications (転職): Employers focus heavily on your past experience, achievements, and how your career has developed over time.
• Roles requiring specialized skills: Jobs in IT, engineering, design, accounting, sales, and similar fields require detailed explanations of tools, systems, and responsibilities.
• When you want to clearly demonstrate results: Numbers, project outcomes, improvements, and contributions are best explained in a Shokumu Keirekisho.

In short, the Rirekisho introduces you as a candidate by providing a clear and formal profile, while the Shokumu Keirekisho explains why you are a strong match for the role. Submitting both documents gives hiring managers a complete picture and significantly improves your chances during document screening.

Major Differences: Rirekisho vs Shokumu Keirekisho

Point	Rirekisho (履歴書)	Shokumu Keirekisho (職務経歴書)
Main purpose	Basic profile + formal summary	Detailed career explanation + achievements
Format	Fixed, standardized Japanese layout	More flexible (structured sections)
Length	Usually 1–2 pages	Usually 1–3 pages (sometimes more)
What recruiters check	Background, timeline, consistency	Skills, results, strengths, job fit
Best for	All job applications in Japan	Mid-career, experienced roles, skill-based jobs

What to Write in a Shokumu Keirekisho (Simple and Practical Structure)

A Shokumu Keirekisho does not need to be complicated. Using a clear and logical structure helps recruiters quickly understand your experience, even if they only scan the document for a short time. The following format works well across most industries in Japan.

A simple and effective Shokumu Keirekisho usually includes these sections:

• Career Summary: A short overview (about 3–5 lines) that explains who you are professionally and what kind of experience you have.
• Work History: List each position with the employment period, company name, and job title in a clear order.
• Main Responsibilities: Use bullet points to describe your key tasks and daily duties for each role.
• Achievements: Highlight results and contributions using numbers where possible, such as sales figures, project outcomes, or improvements made.
• Skills: Clearly list tools, systems, technologies, and languages that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

If you are unsure how to begin, using a builder with ready-made sections or sample content can help you understand the format and adjust it to match your own experience.

Tips for Foreigners Applying in Japan

Many foreigners feel nervous about Japanese resume rules and formatting, but with a few practical adjustments, it is completely possible to create strong and professional documents that Japanese employers can easily understand. Focusing on clarity and consistency matters more than using perfect or advanced Japanese.

Keep the following points in mind when preparing your documents:

• Keep dates consistent: Choose one date format, such as the Western calendar (YYYY/MM), and use it throughout both documents to avoid confusion.
• Use simple and clear Japanese: Short, direct sentences are preferred. Avoid overly complex expressions or translations that may sound unnatural.
• Show measurable results: Numbers, percentages, and concrete outcomes help employers understand your impact, even if your Japanese level is limited.
• Match keywords from the job posting: Reuse important skills, tools, and job-related terms mentioned in the listing to show alignment with the role.
• Be careful with long self-PR sections: In Japan, concise and specific self-promotion is more effective than long explanations or generic statements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even strong candidates can be rejected during document screening because of small but important mistakes. In Japan, recruiters pay close attention to accuracy, consistency, and clarity—especially when reviewing Rirekisho and Shokumu Keirekisho. Avoid the following common issues to improve your chances.

Common mistakes to watch out for include:

• Listing only job tasks: Simply describing what you did is not enough. In a Shokumu Keirekisho, you should also explain results, improvements, or contributions to show real impact.
• Making the document too long: Adding unnecessary details or unrelated experience can weaken your message. Focus on content that is directly relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Inconsistent dates or job titles: Differences between your Rirekisho and Shokumu Keirekisho can raise concerns. Make sure employment periods, company names, and titles match exactly across both documents.
• Using generic or copied self-PR: Recruiters can easily recognize reused or vague statements. Tailor your self-promotion to the role and highlight strengths that match the company’s needs.
• Forgetting basic contact information: Missing or outdated phone numbers, email addresses, or names can lead to immediate rejection. Always double-check all personal details before exporting or submitting your PDF.

Should You Create Both on the Same Platform?

Creating both your Rirekisho and Shokumu Keirekisho on the same platform is important because these two documents are closely connected. Japanese recruiters often compare them side by side, checking whether your education history, work periods, job titles, and skills match. Even small differences can raise unnecessary questions during document screening.

When both documents are created together, it becomes much easier to keep information consistent and well organized. Your Rirekisho provides a clear and formal overview, while your Shokumu Keirekisho expands on the same information with detailed experience and achievements. This creates a natural flow and makes your application easier to understand for hiring managers.

On our platform, you can create both documents in one place, which helps reduce mistakes and saves time:

• Build a proper Japanese Rirekisho using the correct format and export it as a ready-to-submit PDF: https://rirekishobuilder.com/rirekisho/create-with
• Create a detailed Shokumu Keirekisho with structured sections that clearly explain your work history, skills, and achievements: https://rirekishobuilder.com/shokumu-keirekisho/create-with/dummy-data

By preparing both documents together, you can present a consistent and professional profile, making it easier for Japanese employers to understand your background and evaluate your suitability for the role.

Conclusion

The Rirekisho is your official profile summary. The Shokumu Keirekisho is your detailed proof of skills and achievements. For many full-time and mid-career jobs in Japan, submitting both documents gives you the best chance.

If you want a faster, cleaner way to prepare everything, you can create both documents and download PDF files from our platform.