ES

• Reading: イーエス
• Romaji: entorī shīto
• Kanji breakdown: From English 'entry sheet' → ES (abbreviation commonly used by Japanese students)
• Pronunciation: /iː.e.sɯ/

Meaning

Entry sheet; the standardized application form that Japanese companies require from job-seeking students.

ES stands for エントリーシート, the written application form that is the first hurdle in Japanese job hunting. Students must write about their strengths, experiences, and motivation for applying (志望動機). With hundreds of applicants per position, a poorly written ES means immediate rejection. Students spend enormous time crafting ESs and often write dozens during a single 就活 season. The pressure to stand out while conforming to expected formats is intense.

Examples

1. ES書くのに3日かかったのに、お祈りメール来たんだけど。 I spent three days writing my entry sheet and still got a rejection email.
2. ESの志望動機って会社ごとに書き分けないとダメだよね。 You have to customize the motivation section of your ES for each company, right?
3. ES通ったら次は面接だから、もう一段階準備しないと。 If my ES passes, the next step is the interview, so I need to prepare even more.

Usage Guide

Context: job hunting, university, friends

Tone: stressed, practical

Do Say

• ES何社出した？俺はもう20社くらい出してるよ。 (How many ESs have you submitted? I've done about 20 already.)
• ESの添削してくれない？自信ないんだよね。 (Can you proofread my entry sheet? I'm not confident in it.)

Don't Say

• 「ESなんてコピペでいいでしょ」は真剣に就活してる人に失礼 (Saying 'just copy-paste your ES' is disrespectful to people taking job hunting seriously)

Common Mistakes

• Writing the same ES for every company — recruiters can tell when motivations are generic, and it's a common reason for rejection

Origin & History

From English 'entry sheet.' The format became standardized as Japan's corporate mass-recruitment system (新卒一括採用) evolved. Major job-hunting platforms like リクナビ and マイナビ helped standardize the ES format.

Cultural Context

Era: 2000s standardization, ongoing

Generation: University students in job hunting season

Social background: Universal among job-seeking students

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Part of the unique Japanese mass-recruitment system that starts in students' third or fourth year.