Ryujin Industries Interview Guide: Tips for Success

One of the earliest faction-related activities you can undertake in Starfield involves securing employment with Ryujin Industries, a prominent corporate entity within the game’s universe. The “Back to the Grind” mission serves as your entry point into this organization, offering players an opportunity to explore the game’s corporate culture while completing objectives that tie into the broader narrative. Understanding the recruitment process—from initial application through the formal interview—will help you navigate this mission efficiently and unlock subsequent questlines tied to your employment.

Understanding the Ryujin Industries Recruitment Process

The journey toward becoming a Ryujin Industries employee begins in New Atlantis, where you’ll encounter interactive kiosks operated by the company throughout your exploration. These kiosks serve as the first touchpoint in the hiring pipeline, broadcasting announcements that encourage qualified individuals to apply. The recruitment system is structured in two distinct phases: an initial application questionnaire and a subsequent in-person interview conducted at the company’s headquarters.

The structured approach to recruitment reflects Ryujin Industries’ corporate identity within Starfield’s universe. As an aspirant, you’ll need to navigate both stages to secure your position. However, it’s worth noting that the company’s hiring algorithm contains a significant flaw—one that ultimately works in the player’s favor.

The Application Phase: What You Need to Know

When you approach a Ryujin Industries Kiosk and select the job application option, you’ll be presented with a series of questions designed to assess your suitability for an entry-level administrative position. The questionnaire typically consists of five primary inquiries:

• Your level of familiarity with Ryujin Industries and its product offerings
• Your proficiency with computer systems, including typing and file management capabilities
• Your educational background and highest level of attainment
• Your employment history and experience with criminal activity
• Your general interest in corporate advancement and industry involvement

A critical insight about the application process is that your responses have virtually no bearing on your acceptance. The company’s recruitment algorithm is fundamentally broken, resulting in automatic acceptance regardless of your answers. This means you can approach the questionnaire with complete honesty, even if you possess minimal qualifications at the game’s outset. However, the answers you provide will generate contextual dialogue during your subsequent interview, so thoughtful responses can enhance the narrative experience.

It’s recommended to select responses that align with honesty about your character’s actual capabilities. Early in the game, you likely won’t have extensive experience or advanced education, so acknowledging these limitations creates more immersive dialogue options later.

Meeting the Level Requirements for Interview Eligibility

Before you can proceed to the interview stage, your character must reach a specific level threshold. You’ll need to attain player level five before you’re eligible to participate in the formal interview process. This requirement ensures that players have completed enough early-game content to understand the broader mechanics and world before engaging in faction-specific activities.

If you apply at the kiosk before reaching this level, you’ll need to complete additional missions, exploration, and combat encounters to meet the requirement. Once you’ve achieved level five, you can progress to the next phase of the recruitment process.

Traveling to Neon for Your Interview

With your application submitted and your character at the required level, you’ll need to travel to Neon, located on Volii Alpha within the Volii System. This journey requires interstellar travel, so you’ll need to access your ship and plot a course to the destination. Neon serves as the headquarters for Ryujin Industries’ operations and is where the interview will take place.

Upon arrival in Neon, navigate to Ryujin Tower, the company’s primary facility within the city. If you’re uncertain about the location, various NPCs throughout Neon can provide directions. Once inside the building, proceed to the reception area where you’ll interact with the receptionist.

The Interview Experience and What to Expect

After speaking with the receptionist and receiving directions to the operations floor, you’ll be escorted to Imogene Salzo’s office. Imogene is the representative conducting your interview, though notably she’s substituting for a colleague and displays considerable disinterest in the process. Her demeanor sets the tone for an unconventional interview experience.

During the interview itself, your dialogue choices have no impact on whether you’re hired. Imogene will ask you several questions related to your interest in the company, your understanding of their products, and your professional ambitions. Regardless of how you respond—whether you provide thoughtful answers or intentionally poor ones—you’ll receive the job offer.

This absence of meaningful consequences during the interview might seem anticlimactic, but it’s narratively justified by Imogene’s lack of enthusiasm for the process. Her indifference toward the interview, combined with the company’s flawed recruitment algorithm, means that your employment is essentially guaranteed from the moment you submit your application.

Recommended Interview Responses for Narrative Consistency

While your answers won’t determine whether you’re hired, selecting contextually appropriate responses enhances the roleplay experience and generates more immersive dialogue. Here are recommended options that maintain narrative coherence:

• When asked about Ryujin Industries’ products: “Neuroamps are revolutionary. I want to be a part of what’s next.”
• When prompted about your professional capabilities: “I can make any deal happen” (especially effective with the Persuasion skill)
• Regarding your work ethic: “I’ll go above and beyond to get the job done.”
• When discussing career aspirations: “Hopefully, I’ll have a role in management here.”

These responses project ambition and enthusiasm while remaining vague enough to be believable for a new hire with limited qualifications.

Your First Assignment: The Coffee Run

Upon being hired, Imogene will assign you your first task: retrieving a coffee order from Terrabrew, a local establishment in Neon. While this assignment might seem mundane, it serves as your introduction to the company’s corporate culture and provides a narrative bridge to the next phase of your employment.

Head to Terrabrew and collect the coffee order as instructed. This seemingly simple errand introduces you to the game’s quest mechanics while establishing the hierarchical nature of your entry-level position.

Encountering Tomo: Your Predecessor’s Story

As you’re retrieving the coffee order from Terrabrew, you’ll be confronted by Tomo, a former Ryujin Industries employee. This encounter presents a critical decision point in the mission, as you have multiple options for handling the situation:

• Persuasion approach: Attempt to convince Tomo to stand down diplomatically
• Confrontation approach: Engage in combat with the former employee
• Other dialogue options: Depending on your character’s skills and attributes

Your choice in this encounter will influence how Imogene perceives your judgment and decision-making capabilities. Regardless of which path you choose—diplomacy or violence—return to Imogene with the coffee order and inform her of the incident. She’s already aware of what transpired, and she’ll evaluate your handling of the situation to determine your suitability for expanded responsibilities.

Advancing Within Ryujin Industries

After successfully completing your first assignment and the Tomo encounter, you’ll progress to the next phase of employment with Ryujin Industries. Head to the company’s boardroom to deliver the coffee order to the senior executives. This environment introduces you to the organization’s leadership structure and provides context for future missions and interactions.

Your success in these initial tasks will position you for more significant assignments within the faction, unlocking additional quests and opportunities for advancement through the Ryujin Industries questline.

Key Takeaways for Mission Success

• The application and interview processes are largely predetermined—your specific answers don’t determine employment outcome
• You must reach player level five before progressing to the interview stage
• Travel to Neon on Volii Alpha after completing your application
• Imogene Salzo will conduct your interview in Ryujin Tower’s operations floor
• Your first assignment involves retrieving a coffee order from Terrabrew
• How you handle the Tomo encounter will influence Imogene’s perception of your capabilities
• Your employment opens pathways to more significant corporate responsibilities

Common Questions About the Ryujin Industries Recruitment Process

Does my character’s background affect whether I’m hired?

No. The recruitment algorithm accepts all applicants, regardless of their background, education, or responses to the application questions. Your narrative history has no bearing on employment eligibility.

What happens if I answer the interview questions poorly?

Nothing negative occurs. You’ll still be hired regardless of your responses. The dialogue options simply generate different contextual responses from Imogene, but they don’t impact the outcome.

Can I refuse the job offer?

While the standard employment path proceeds as described, players can choose not to engage with Ryujin Industries entirely. However, doing so prevents access to the faction’s questline and associated rewards.

What are the consequences of joining Ryujin Industries?

Ryujin Industries is characterized as a morally ambiguous organization within Starfield’s narrative. Employment with the company will involve missions and decisions that may conflict with other faction allegiances, particularly regarding ethical considerations.