Translation guide
In Japanese, 'job hunting' is most commonly expressed as 就職活動 (shuushoku katsudou), often abbreviated to 就活 (shuukatsu). This refers specifically to the structured process of searching for full-time employment, particularly among students and new graduates. For general job searching, other terms like 仕事探し (shigoto sagashi) are used.
job hunting (general)
Most common term for student/new grad job hunting.
job hunting (career change)
For mid-career professionals.
The formal, often year-long process of attending career fairs, submitting applications, and interviewing for full-time positions at companies, typically as a student.
Looking for a job in a broad sense, including part-time, freelance, or career changes.
Searching for a new job while already employed or with work experience, often called 'career change' in English.
Specifically refers to job hunting for a career change. Very common among working professionals.
I'm thinking of starting job hunting for a career change.
Job hunting for a career change is tough, but I'll do my best.
Abbreviation of 転職活動. Casual and trendy, often used in media or among younger professionals.
I registered on a career change job hunting site.
就活 (shuukatsu) is specifically for students or new graduates entering the workforce. 仕事探し (shigoto sagashi) is a broad term for looking for any job, including part-time work. 転職活動 (tenshoku katsudou) is for people already employed who are seeking a new job (career change). Using the wrong term can cause confusion.
University students are job hunting.
Freeters are looking for jobs.
Office workers are job hunting for a career change.
就活 implies a serious, full-time career path. For part-time or casual work, use 仕事探し or バイト探し (baito sagashi). Saying 就活 for a part-time job sounds odd.
I'm looking for a part-time job.
She's been job hunting for months.
General job searching.
Job hunting in Japan starts early.
Referring to the student recruitment cycle.
It's time to start job hunting.
The full, formal term. Used in official contexts, resumes, and formal writing.
Please tell me about your job hunting status.
Many job-hunting students attended the joint career fair.
職探しに苦労している。
I'm struggling with job hunting.
Formal term for job-seeking activities, often used in official documents or by employment agencies.
Please submit a record of your job hunting activities.