Pitfall quick-ref
Copy-paste reuse, char count, off-prompt drift, deadlines — points that can't be circled on one spot, gathered as a read-only reference.
- Copy-paste reuse
- Copy-pasting another company's ES or a template is the easiest tell: a leftover company name, motivation that doesn't fit the business, a jarring tone. ES value lies in per-company sourcing — don't chase「one universal answer」; es-sheet re-composes from each prompt and your history.
- Over / under the limit
- For「within N chars」, what happens when you go over depends on the input system (rough guide): most block input or truncate, a few error out — it varies by each company's system [to confirm]; too short reads as thin. Say what you need to and sit close to the cap without exceeding — don't pad just to fill it, and don't leave large gaps. Some systems count spaces and line breaks — verify the real count before submitting.
- Off-prompt drift
- Answering B when asked A is a classic silent rejection: turning「学生時代に力を入れたこと」into motivation, or「what you'd do after joining」into past bragging. Self-check line by line that every sentence traces back to the prompt; cut anything off-topic.
- Deadline & format
- ES often has a strict deadline separate from interviews, and Web entry, PDF upload, or paper/mail each differ; web forms can time out or auto-truncate. Don't leave it to the last minute — draft by pasting prompts into es-sheet first, then transfer into the official system.
- Japanese style & spelling (intl. students)
- Keep the whole text in one polite register (です・ます) — don't mix in plain form. Avoid word-for-word calques from your first language and misused Sino-Japanese terms (a native-language compound isn't always natural Japanese). Match company and department names to the official spelling, and keep your romanized name, フリガナ, and the official name/translation of your home-country credential consistent throughout. Write major and residence status in standard Japanese phrasing; when unsure, defer to the official / company source [to confirm].
