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Embassy Information

Embassy Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I don't have a Social Security Number. What do I write down on the application?
  2. I'm Japanese. Can I work at the U.S. Embassy?
  3. I'm American. Can I work at the U.S. Embassy?
  4. The job vacancy has closed. Can I still send my application?
  5. Today is the vacancy closing date. Can I bring the application to the U.S. Embassy in person?
  6. I sent my application by post. Could you tell me if you received it?
  7. Can I send the application by e-mail?
  8. When do jobs typically open at the U.S. Embassy?
  9. There is no vacancy announcement at this time. May I send in a general resume?
  10. When will I hear the results?
  11. If I am selected, how soon will I start?
  12. I don't have my college diploma. Do I need to send a copy?
  13. Do I get paid in Japanese yen or U.S. Dollars?
  14. I currently live outside of Japan. May I still apply?
  15. There is more than one job open. May I apply to both?
  16. I am a student looking for a meaningful experience during my summer vacation. Does the Embassy have any internships open?
  17. I am an American citizen with strong international experience. I would like to talk with someone about a career in the Foreign Service.
  18. May I send in a Japanese resume?
  19. The Vacancy Announcement states that "Completion of secondary school is required." What is secondary school?
  20. Are the U.S. Embassy Tokyo vacancies considered U.S. Government federal jobs?
  21. Do I need to list my citizenship in my application?
  22. Should I include a photo on my resume?
  23. Should I include personal information in my application?




Q: I don't have a Social Security Number. What do I write down on the application?

A: Please write "N/A" in any box that does not apply. Please do not leave any blanks on the application.


Q: I'm Japanese. Can I work at the U.S. Embassy?

A: The U.S. Mission to Japan can employ any person with the legal right to work in Japan. This includes Japanese citizens, permanent residents, spouses or children of Japanese nationals and long-term residents. The U.S. Mission to Japan does not sponsor work visas. Please state your citizenship in your application package.


Q: I'm American. Can I work at the U.S. Embassy?

A: To work as a locally employed staff member of the U.S. Mission to Japan, an American citizen must have the legal right to work in Japan. This includes permanent residents in Japan, spouses or children of Japanese nationals, and long-term residents. Please submit a copy of your visa or Certificate of Alien Registration with your application package. The U.S. Mission to Japan can also employ American citizens listed on diplomatic orders or those with a SOFA sponsor. Those U.S. citizens interested in a career with the Foreign Service should visit www.careers.state.gov.


Q: The job vacancy has closed. Can I still send my application?

A: U.S. Government procedures are very strict. No applications may be accepted after the closing date.


Q: Today is the vacancy closing date. Can I bring the application to the U.S. Embassy in person?

A: Security considerations prevent the U.S. Embassy from receiving hand-delivered applications. Faxed applications are accepted. Applications must be post marked by/on the closing date.


Q: I sent my application by post. Could you tell me if you received it?

A: The U.S. Embassy Human Resources Office does not provide this service. Those applicants concerned about the clarity of their transmission should send their application by mail or courier service.


Q: Can I send the application by e-mail?

A: No, the Human Resources Office is now accepting resumes only by regular mail or courier service.


Q: When do jobs typically open at the U.S. Embassy?

A: There is no particular vacancy season at the U.S. Embassy or any of the affiliated consulates. Vacancies are filled as they arise. The Human Resources Office recommends bookmarking the website for periodic review.


Q: There is no vacancy announcement at this time. May I send in a general resume?

A: The U.S. Embassy has no procedure for receiving general resumes. All applications that do not reference a specific vacancy announcement are discarded.


Q: When will I hear the results?

A: Applicants who are not invited to an interview will not be contacted. Depending on work schedules, it sometimes takes up to 2 months to schedule interviews.


Q: If I am selected, how soon will I start?

A: Selected candidates will receive a conditional offer. This offer is contingent upon the receipt of medical and security clearances. Clearance procedures require an average of one month's time.


Q: I don't have my college diploma. Do I need to send a copy?

A: In general, candidates are responsible for submitting evidence of academic credentials.


Q: Do I get paid in Japanese yen or U.S. Dollars?

A: Employees are paid in the currency of the country where they are "ordinarily resident" before employment as a Locally Employed Staff with the U.S. Mission to Japan. Please see the definitions listed below.

Ordinarily Resident (OR): A citizen of Japan or a citizen of another country who has shifted the main residency focus to Japan and has the required residency permits for employment in country.

Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): American citizens who are eligible family members of Foreign Service, General Service, and Uniformed Service members, listed on the travel orders, and come under Chief of Mission authority, or other personnel having diplomatic privileges and immunities. This includes family members under Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) status.


Q: I currently live outside of Japan. May I still apply?

A: Yes. All applicants who have the legal right to work in Japan may apply. The U.S. Embassy and affiliated Consulates can conduct interviews by phone. If selected, the U.S. Government will not provide assistance to candidates who must move to Japan to begin work. The candidate must make all arrangements themselves and pay all expenses incurred.


Q: There is more than one job open. May I apply to both?

A: Yes. Please send one application for each job, clearly stating on each the job for which it was submitted.


Q: I am a student looking for a meaningful experience during my summer vacation. Does the Embassy have any internships open?

A: U.S. citizen university students interested in internships should visit the State Department career information website for information on fall, spring and summer internships. Security clearances and other processing create a long lead-time between applying and beginning the internship. We urge qualified candidates to consider applying early.

Non-U.S. citizen students who are legal resident students in Japan may apply for the U.S. Embassy Foreign National Student Internship Program. Opportuniities for internship will be announced on this website when available.


Q: I am an American citizen with strong international experience. I would like to talk with someone about a career in the Foreign Service.

A: All Foreign Service Direct-Hire staffing is administered by the Department of State offices in Washington D.C. U.S. citizens seeking information about a rewarding career as either a Specialist or Officer with the Foreign Service will find the most up-to-date information at: www.careers.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy encourages all eligible citizens to take the Foreign Service Written Exam, administered at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo and affiliated Consulates in Japan each year.


Q: May I send in a Japanese resume?

A: The U.S. Embassy Human Resources Office will only review information submitted in English.


Q: The Vacancy Announcement states that "Completion of secondary school is required." What is secondary school?

A: Secondary school equals a high school or a school of corresponding grade, ranking between primary school and a college or university. It is always a good idea to include high school information on all applications.


Q: Are the U.S. Embassy Tokyo vacancies considered U.S. Government federal jobs?

A: No, all jobs announced for Locally Employed Staff positions at the U.S. Embassy are considered contract positions.


Q: Do I need to list my citizenship in my application?

A: Yes. Please list your citizenship and your visa status in Japan. If you are a Japanese citizen, please state so in your resume.


Q: Should I include a photo on my resume?

A: No, photos are not necessary and are usually considered inappropriate by American standards of business.


Q: Should I include personal information in my application?

A: You may include any information that you believe addresses the qualifications of the position. However, U.S. standards of business discourage including details that are not part of a professional record. Examples of information that we would rather not receive include: weight, height, ethnicity, marital status, family members' profession, religious affiliation, and number of children.