Chisato ShizumeJob hunting, or shukatsu in Japanese, is a tough and competitive process that many college students go through to get a job offer from top-tier companies in Japan. Every year, as soon as the job-hunting season begins in March, third-year college students wear standardized shukatsu black business suit, lock up their individuality and attend as many job fairs as possible. Most students color their hair black and forsake their uniqueness until they get a formal job offer.
An average junior applies to 30 companies and sends resumes to 15-20. And now that a reasonable number of companies face an economic slump due to the spread of coronavirus, job-seeking juniors are likely to face tougher competition next year. Although writing resumes is puzzling for most students, those who have concerns about their sexual orientation could go through an even tougher time. It could cause huge distress for LGBTQ+ people because gender is often asked on resumes. On top of that, the Japanese shukatsu tradition makes things even more stressful.
According to a survey on sexual identity and orientation, one in eleven adults in Japan (ages 20-59) identifies as LGBT or other gender diversity. Many of them face various difficulties during job-hunting, such as being asked to specify their gender on the resume or about how to dress for shukatsu.
As mentioned, there is a ‘dress code’ for job-hunting in Japan, especially for the new graduates. Male students keep their hair black and short, wear a black suit and white shirt with a tie. Most female students wear a black skirt suit, tie their hair in a low ponytail, and put on some makeup. This stereotype shukatsu fashion causes considerable distress for sexual or gender diverse students who wish not to reveal their sexual identity or orientation during their shukatsu. To keep gender identities secret, some are left with no choice but to wear skirts or makeup. Fashion enables one to express self-identity, but it could also cause pain if it’s against one’s will.
A project called ‘#PrideHair’ by Pantene began in September this year. The hair care products company is advocating businesses and society to accept people’s self-identity during job-hunting and in the workplace. P&G, the parent company to Pantene, has stopped asking for profile photos and added a new option ‘Do not wish to answer gender identity’ on their resume since last year. Now applicants can choose male, female, or the new option. P&G believes diversity is the key to innovation and success, and to bring the best out of every employee. Making changes in the working environment is essential.
In Japan, there are changes regarding transgender students in recent years. Some women’s universities have begun or has announced the acceptance of transgender students. But if the society or workplaces are not open-minded, or the society is not mature enough to be inclusive, such efforts will be a pie in the sky. We need to be aware that welcoming diversity is important for everyone, especially for LGBT people. Diversity and inclusiveness respects individuality, something that makes the core of our being, but has been neglected for years in the job-hunting process.
[Reference] Dentsu
