Choosing Japan for a Career: A Chinese Student’s Journey
After starting college in Canada, I began thinking seriously about where to kick off my career. I compared my experiences between Canada and Japan.
I also considered the environment, public transportation, daily convenience, and cultural aspects like politeness and cleanliness. Japan excelled in these areas, especially in how polite and orderly everything is. These key points made Japan more appealing to me, where the lifestyle and culture aligned so well with my own values.
A recent development that hammered down my final decision was seeing how keen Japan was for international talents in their job market.
I visited Japan last year and went to Kamakura Beach among other places. Experiencing the beauty of Japan’s nature, along with my love for Japanese culture and food, made me certain that Japan was the best place to start my career. This experience solidified my decision to pursue career success in Japan.
Mastering Japanese: How Language Skills Opened Doors to a Career Success in Japan
Long before deciding to work in Japan, I was already immersed in Japanese culture. I was enamored with Japanese food, and I was obsessed with Gyūdon. Although we have similar cuisine in China, it doesn’t have this specific taste and flavor. But it was my deep-seated love for anime and Japanese culture, especially order and politeness, that motivated me to start my Japanese studies. I started studying Japanese during my last year of high school. At that time, I memorized the Japanese alphabet (Hiragana and Katakana).
When I entered university, I took Japanese classes every year until graduation. After that, I applied for the JLPT N2 right away and managed to pass it. Being a native Chinese speaker was instrumental in reaching the JLPT N2 level at the first attempt, as both languages share many similarities, such as the use of Chinese characters in Japanese.
How FAST OFFER International Helped Secure a Dream Job in Japan
I first found out about FAST OFFER International through an advertisement email sent to my university email address. I already had JLPT N2 at the time. Although I couldn’t speak Japanese perfectly, I thought that my fluency in English and Chinese, as well as going to a Canadian university, would make me a good candidate.
Most recruiting agencies charge people for their services, but FAST OFFER International costs nothing. I did my research and found it to be quite trustworthy and legitimate, so I thought it was a suitable opportunity.
I applied but didn’t get a reply for a month. During this time, I was a bit disappointed, thinking I wasn’t competitive enough. To my relief, soon after, FAST OFFER International’s staff reached me out to set up an online session to prepare for the next job interview event.
Once I had an interview in a month with two companies. Although I did well during the first interview, I didn’t pass the final interview. In one instance, the final interview involved another student from India, and they chose him because he had better technical skills. It made me realize that passing the initial interview doesn’t necessarily mean passing the final interview. Despite my preparing so tenaciously I wrote down over 2000 characters in answers to common questions, and passing the final interview was a challenge.
Finally, I landed another interview with a Japanese company. This turned out to be my lucky break! I successfully passed the interview and received an offer. Although I had hoped to work for a more international firm, this traditional Japanese company had an unexpected twist that caught my attention.
While researching the company and work location, something surprising happened. The building looked oddly familiar. During my previous trip to Japan, I had stood in front of a stunning office building in Akihabara, admiring its design and imagining what it would be like to work there. To my amazement, I discovered that the company that just offered me a job was housed in that very same building in Akihabara! It’s almost as if destiny had a hand in bringing me back to that place.
Tips for International Students Seeking Employment in Japan
After going through interviews with three different companies, here are some tips I can offer:
- Prioritize Improving Your Japanese Speaking Skills:
All the companies I interviewed with focused more on my ability to speak Japanese rather than my JLPT level. They asked various questions to assess my speaking ability. While it’s important to study grammar, reading, and writing, your spoken Japanese is the key to passing the interview. As you know, it’ll help your career success in Japan as well.
- Emphasize Practical Skills Over Academic Achievements:
Most companies aren’t overly concerned with grades or whether you have a master’s or PhD. Instead, they focus on questions that test your practical abilities and skills. I recommend asking the interviewer about the company and the job itself. They often test your willingness to work for them, so demonstrating genuine passion is crucial. However, be mindful of your responses; interviewers will likely ask follow-up questions based on your answer, so think carefully before answering.
- Exercise Patience and Persistence:
Even if you don’t pass the interview for a company you were excited about, don’t get discouraged. Focus on improving yourself and acquiring the skills needed for future opportunities. With persistence, you’ll eventually land an offer.
Finding a job in Japan can be a daunting process, but my experience with FAST OFFER international was incredibly smooth. The staff and mentors provided invaluable support, especially with interview preparation which made the whole journey much easier. I was so impressed that I recommended FAST OFFER international to a college friend, who also secured a job! Even more exciting, he landed a position at the same company as mine, so we might soon be working together.
Getting Ready for a New Career in Japan: Language, Culture, and More
As I prepare to start my new job next April, I’m focusing on sharpening my Japanese speaking skills to ensure effective communication with my future colleagues. To further enhance my language proficiency, I’m also planning to take the JLPT N1 exam.
The company recently sent me a list of the essential technical and IT skills required for my role, so I’m dedicating this time to learning as much as I can, so I’ll be fully equipped to handle my responsibilities smoothly from day one.
In addition to preparing for work, I’m excited to plan a trip to Japan with my parents. I want to show them around, and most importantly, take them to the office building where I’ll be working. It will be a dream come true to share this exciting new chapter of my life with them.
After considering my options, I’ve realized that Japan is the perfect place for me to settle down and build my career. The environment, culture, and food resonate with me deeply, and its proximity to China adds to its appeal.
I’m eager to start this new chapter and envision a long-term future and career success in Japan, where I hope to work for decades, or as long as I possibly can.
