1.
unofficial job offer; informal decision; tentative appointment
An informal decision or offer, especially a job offer made to students before graduation. The offer is not yet official or legally binding but indicates the company's intent to hire.
就職活動の末、大手メーカーから内定をもらった。
After job hunting, I received an unofficial offer from a major manufacturer.
内定が取り消されることもある。
Unofficial offers can sometimes be rescinded.
複数の会社から内定をもらった。
I received offers from multiple companies.
WORD STRUCTURE:
内 (internal, unofficial) + 定 (fixed, decided)
Literally "internally decided" - a decision made but not yet officially announced.
JAPANESE JOB HUNTING CONTEXT:
In Japan's unique 新卒一括採用 (mass hiring of new graduates) system:
1. Students job hunt in their final year
2. Companies give 内定 (usually by Oct 1)
3. Students graduate
4. Officially start work on April 1
KEY DATES:
- 内定解禁 - when companies can officially give offers (Oct 1)
- 内定式 - informal ceremony for future employees
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 内定をもらう/得る - to receive an offer
- 内定が出る - an offer comes through
- 内定を辞退する - to decline an offer
- 内定取り消し - rescinding an offer
- 内定者 - person who has received an offer
IMPORTANT NOTE:
内定 is generally treated as binding in Japanese business culture, though legally it is not a formal contract until the official hiring date.