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.
The formal, often year-long process of attending career fairs, submitting applications, and interviewing for full-time positions at companies, typically as a student.
Abbreviation of 就職活動. Extremely common in everyday conversation and media. Refers to the entire job-hunting process for students and new graduates.
Job hunting is tough.
It's time to start job hunting.
A student engaged in job hunting. Often used in news and articles.
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.
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.