Expanding on my previous tweet, this is of course from a Japanese “business practices and manners” point of view…
When arriving at a job interview, as with any business meeting, your interviewer will usually give you his 名刺. It is considered polite in Japan to accept it with 2 hands, bow, place it neatly on the table and answer by giving out your own 名刺.
Note: to anyone about to work with Japanese people: always have at least 2 dozens business cards with you at all times!
But in the case of a job interview, should you present your business card if it is from your current employer? In a way, you are betraying your company by looking for a new job. Moreover, the guy already knows you, he has your resume on the table already…
I’ve always been confused with this and am not sure of the appropriate behavior. Maybe I should make myself a batch of personal business cards for such occasions where it is not acceptable to present yourself as your business-self:
Superman – associate @ SuperFriends
As opposed to:
Clark Kent – reporter @ DailyPlanet