Mitsui & Co. 2027 Graduate Recruitment Begins in October｜How to Win in an Ultra-Early Selection Process

Hello, this is TJ, CEO of Alpha Advisors!

For students graduating in 2027, a major announcement has just been made.
Mitsui & Co. has confirmed that its main selection process will officially begin in October 2025.
This represents a much earlier start than in previous years. If you fall behind in preparation, you risk being left out entirely. The recruitment process for leading trading companies is known for being both short and extremely competitive. This article breaks down the latest updates and what you need to do to stay ahead.

Key Updates for Mitsui & Co. 2027 Recruitment

Compared to previous years, the upcoming process has several notable changes:

・Two Recruitment Rounds
Round 1 runs from October 2025 to January 2026, and Round 2 runs from February to March 2026. You can choose the round that fits your academic calendar or extracurricular commitments. However, note that if you join the internship in Round 1, you are not eligible to apply again in Round 2.

・Introduction of a “Personal History” Document
Applicants must now submit a written “Personal History” outlining their life journey. It should capture personal turning points and challenges from multiple perspectives.

・Internships Integrated into the Selection Process
After the initial application and interviews, candidates will join an internship program. Performance during this internship directly impacts the final hiring decision. It is not simply an optional experience, but part of the official process.

・Division-Based Internships Linked to Initial Placement
Some internships are now tied to specific business units or functions, allowing the company to evaluate candidates in relation to potential placements.

Mitsui & Co. Personal History Preparation

One of the most distinctive features of Mitsui’s 2027 recruitment is the required “Personal History”. Unlike a typical résumé or statement of purpose, this is designed as a comprehensive narrative of your life story.

What is a Personal History?

It is a written account of your journey from early life to the present, highlighting how you grew, what shaped your values, and what you consider important. Beyond visible milestones like sports or study abroad, it should also reflect lessons from daily struggles, setbacks, and moments of growth.

What Should You Include?

・Major challenges or turning points in your life
・How you overcame setbacks or failures
・Episodes that shaped your values
・Strengths developed through academics, extracurriculars, or part-time work
・Experiences that connect to your long-term career goals

The key is to construct a coherent narrative along a timeline, helping the company understand who you are from multiple dimensions.

Why Is It Challenging?

A personal history often becomes lengthy and risks turning into a list of memories. Deciding which experiences to emphasize and how to maintain consistency requires strong editing skills. The challenge is to balance authenticity with relevance to the company, shaping a story that resonates.

Why Does Mitsui Value This?

Mitsui emphasizes a culture of tackling “questions without a single right answer.” Through the personal history, the company seeks to evaluate how candidates think, act, and persevere in uncertain environments. Academic background and technical skills alone cannot capture potential; Mitsui uses this exercise to understand values, character, and resilience.

Core Qualities Mitsui & Co. Seeks

Success in the process requires more than grades or technical knowledge. Candidates will be assessed on:

・Consistency and individuality through the Personal History
Your story should demonstrate not only who you are but also what you aim to accomplish in the future.

・Cultural fit
Internships provide opportunities to work with employees, testing whether your working style aligns with Mitsui’s culture.

・Global perspective and strategic vision
Given Mitsui’s wide-ranging businesses—energy, food, metals, and technology—you must show how you can contribute to building the future on a global stage.

Mitsui & Co. Internship Preparation

For the 2027 graduate recruitment cycle, participating in Mitsui & Co.’s internship program has become a mandatory part of the selection process. This is not a casual work experience but rather an extended evaluation beyond application documents and interviews. Instead of being judged only in short interviews, candidates will spend several days working closely with employees, during which every aspect of their behavior will be observed.

What Will Be Evaluated During the Internship

・Collaboration: How you contribute in team-based assignments and draw out others’ ideas
・Analytical Thinking: How you approach complex tasks under time pressure, and the consistency of your logic
・Proactive Attitude: Going beyond assigned roles to identify issues and propose solutions
・Cultural Fit: Whether you can naturally adapt to Mitsui’s working style and corporate values

Unlike interviews or written applications, which last only minutes, the internship spans several days. This means you cannot rely on making a brief good impression—your everyday attitude, interpersonal style, and contributions to the team will all be closely assessed.

How to Prepare for the Internship

・Practice group discussions and case-style interviews to build confidence in structured dialogue
・Understand your own strengths and the roles where you add value (leadership, analysis, facilitation, etc.)
・Strengthen communication skills, including English, and practice speaking in ways that can influence the group dynamic
・Be ready to clearly articulate “why I want to build my career at a trading company, and why Mitsui & Co.”

Mitsui’s internship functions as a long-term selection process directly linked to final offers. Performance here can significantly impact outcomes, making both preparation and on-the-day behavior critically important.

How to Succeed in an Ultra-Early Recruitment Cycle

So what should you do now to prepare for a process that begins as early as October?

・Clarify your motivation
Be able to explain convincingly “why a trading company” and “why Mitsui & Co.” in comparison to competitors.

・Craft your Personal History
Organize key turning points, challenges, and achievements into a coherent story. A patchwork of generic self-promotion will not be enough.

・Develop case and interview skills
Show logical problem-solving ability, strong communication in English, and the initiative to lead.

・Manage your schedule carefully
From October to the end of the year, multiple firms will launch their recruitment processes simultaneously. You need to plan ahead to handle overlapping applications.

The Difference Between Those Who Win Offers and Those Who Don’t

From years of advising candidates, the gap between those who secure offers and those who do not is clear.

・Successful candidates can articulate lessons from challenges
They don’t just highlight achievements but explain what they learned and how they acted in difficult situations.

・Unsuccessful candidates rely on superficial reasons
Statements such as “I want a global career” or “I want to contribute to society” are too vague without specific experiences or a clear vision, and they fail to persuade evaluators.

Conclusion｜Mitsui & Co. 2027 Recruitment Is a Short-Term Battle—Start Preparing Now

Mitsui & Co.’s 2027 graduate recruitment begins in October. Success depends on early preparation of your Personal History, motivation, and internship strategy. With other leading trading companies and multinational firms also opening applications, building a comprehensive job-hunting strategy is essential.

For proven results in trading company recruitment, consult Alpha Advisors! With 17 years of experience, Alpha’s founder—ex-Sumitomo Corporation, Chicago Booth MBA, and Goldman Sachs IBD—will coach you intensively to maximize your chances of success.

Free consultation available here! ＞ Free Consultation

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TJ Profile

TJ: Formerly with Sumitomo Corporation, where he worked in the Corporate Accounting Department overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, and performance management for over 800 domestic and overseas group companies, as well as IR (Investor Relations) activities. Selected as the youngest trainee for Sumitomo Corporation of America (New York), where he contributed to the restructuring of a U.S. electric arc furnace steel business invested in by Sumitomo. Later joined the Project Finance Department, where he was engaged in arranging large-scale financings for infrastructure projects in developing countries and financing for Jupiter Telecommunications. Selected as a company-sponsored candidate for overseas MBA programs.

Earned his MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Organizational Management. Founder of the University of Chicago Japanese Association. Initiated and executed the school’s first-ever “Japan Trip”, which has since become an annual tradition.

Subsequently joined Goldman Sachs Japan’s Investment Banking Division, where he advised on numerous M&A transactions in the media and consumer sectors, supported capital raising including IPOs, and worked on private equity investments and corporate restructuring assignments.

Selected as one of only six fellows (out of over 200 applicants) for the 4th Entrepreneurial Leadership Program of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai), where he received mentorship from leading entrepreneurs including Hideo Sawada, Chairman of H.I.S.

Served as President of the Chicago Booth Alumni Association in Japan (2006–2010). Has guided numerous candidates to admission at top MBA programs (Harvard, Stanford, and other leading schools in the U.S., Europe, and Asia), graduate schools, universities, and boarding schools. Track record of placing students at leading global firms including Mitsubishi Corporation, McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Google, Big 4 consulting/FAS, Dentsu, Toyota, MUFG Bank, Nomura Securities, among others.

Renowned for his rigorous one-on-one coaching for TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, and GRE, with a reputation for pushing candidates to fully complete their preparation. Highly regarded for his ability to design and achieve career and academic goals with unmatched quality and precision. As a result, he is in high demand as an advisor, with numerous requests to work directly under his guidance.