How I Got a Job in Japan as an Engineer from Myanmar 

Why I, An Engineer From Myanmar, Chose To Work In Japan 

There was a time in my life when I was unsure of what I really wanted to do and lost direction in my career. But now, I’m preparing for my next journey — working in Japan as an engineer from Myanmar! How did this happen? 

Back in 2021, I started learning Japanese with the aim of working in Japan to support my family.  

For me, the most challenging part of learning Japanese is reading, especially when I was preparing for JLPT. Sometimes, even when I understand the content, it is extremely hard to choose the correct answer. What I mean is, they require you to choose the best answer, not just suitable, as it might be possible that all answers are somewhat correct. Even so, I pushed through the challenges! 

There came a point when I was fluent enough to converse in Japanese. I felt a sense of achievement when I could communicate fluently with native Japanese speakers. Because of this, my desire to work in Japan grew even stronger. 

I was also deeply attracted to the Japanese people’s attitude toward work. They abide by the rules and are time-conscious. I am touched by their perseverance and dedication to their job!  

My Journey With FAST OFFER International 

I learned about the FAST OFFER International Program in 2024 from a nonprofit organization called AJMMC (Association of Japan Myanmar Mutual Cooperation). At that point, I had been learning Japanese for quite some time already, so I decided to sign up and take a chance at landing a job in Japan as an engineer from Myanmar. To my surprise, after signing myself up, I got an invitation for job interviews shortly. It was a smooth process! 

Getting A Chance To Interview With Japanese Companies 

All my interviews were held online. I interviewed with three companies and faced two rejections. One company decided to reject me after the final interview. But even so, I didn’t lose hope.  

During this third interview, I prepared well. I practiced many questions that are likely to be asked. However, something unexpected happened! Initially, I planned to explain the presentation using the slides I had prepared in advance. But instead, the interviewers wanted me to explain verbally without even displaying the slides. This was surprising as I had put a lot of photos on my slides for easier explanation. In the end, I think I was able to explain it well as I had memorized and understood the content very well before the interview. 

Eventually, I got a job offer from this company. Third time’s the charm! I’m glad I was matched with a company that had a well-paced working environment. At first, when I learned that the company is in the countryside, I was a little hesitant since I preferred to live in the city. But after doing some research about the company, I was impressed with the company’s long-term vision. It’s a global organization where I can gain a wide range of experiences, and that makes me truly excited to be part of it.

I also found the company building’s design stunning — a combination of Western and Japanese styles. As an engineer, this caught my attention because it reflected creativity and innovation. 

For me, the journey was like a roller coaster, but I am glad that everything has finally settled down.  

My Advice For Those Who Wish To Follow My Path 

Here are my tips for those who want to work in Japan, coming from a Myanmarese engineer who got a job offer in Japan. 

On Learning Japanese

1. Language is not learned in isolation. When you learn the Japanese language, you are not just learning about the language itself, but you also need to learn about Japanese culture. This can be achieved through listening to Japanese songs, as well as watching J-dramas. Simply learning from the textbook is far from enough to be able to work in Japan.  
2. When taking the JLPT, focus on key points. Never forget that the answers are always written in the passage. You have to read carefully, and once you clearly grasp what the writer is trying to say, choosing the correct answer becomes much easier and faster. This also helps with reading speed!
3. Consistency is the key. I always believe that consistency is the power, 継続は力なり (keizoku wa chikaranari). It is important to constantly practice — speak with native Japanese speakers, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and be willing to learn.  

On Acing Japanese Job Interviews

1. Pace yourself while speaking. When you speak fast, the interviewers will assume that you are fluent in Japanese and will also start to speak at their usual pace. This might cause you to not be able to catch up with what they say and end up missing some important questions from them. Moreover, if you speak fast, you also tend to make a lot of mistakes, which brings a negative impression to the interviewers, too.  
2. Ask the right questions. Asking the right questions shows that you did thorough research about the company. It is also important to think about what kind of questions the interviewers expect you to ask during the interview. During the interview, I asked about the job scope.  
3. Knowing your final year project well. Being able to explain what you have done during your final year project is crucial in the evaluation. There is a lot of technical jargon that you need to know how to explain in Japanese in detail. I practiced a lot with my mentor to ensure that I could explain it well before going to the interview. 

Looking forward to my future in Japan 

After a period of feeling unsure about my career, receiving a job offer in Japan renewed my spirit and helped me find my footing again. 

I’m really excited to start a fresh chapter in my late 20s! As an outdoor person, I am excited to see Japan’s beautiful scenery. I look forward to many adventures! 

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