| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor’s in Electronics and Telecommunication, M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese automotive parts manufacturer specializing in safety, security, and human–machine interface systems. |
| SUMMARY |
| While helping at his uncle’s repair shop, this electronics and telecommunications engineer developed an interest in Japanese products and dreamed of working in Japan. As a first step to achieving that dream, he enrolled at a university that offers Japanese language classes. Although his teachers initially deemed him a below-average student, he worked hard to improve. Through his perseverance, he passed FAST OFFER’s initial screening. Not long after, he got the opportunity to go to Japan for job interviews, where he eventually landed a job offer. |
Working at My Uncle’s Repair Shop Sparked an Interest in Working in Japan
I helped my uncle at his electronics repair shop when I was in high school. While working on many electronic devices and components, I became impressed by Japanese products. They were different from products from other countries. Japanese products were always of very high quality. Their manuals were easy to understand, and the way they were manufactured made them easy to work with. Even when I needed manuals or documentation for older products, I could easily access them on the websites of Japanese manufacturers.
I wanted to continue working with high-quality products like these. So, I pursued electronic engineering and telecommunications with the dream of one day working in Japan. This is where I started my journey from beginner Japanese to eventually landing a job offer in Japan.
My Japanese Language Learning Journey: Passing JLPT Exams
When it was time to choose a university for my higher education, I made sure to pick one that offered Japanese classes. This is so I could start learning the language alongside finishing my engineering degree. In the second semester of my first year, I joined a beginner N5 Japanese class.
At the start, my performance wasn’t the best. When I asked my sensei if I would be able to pass the JLPT N5 exam at my current level, she told me it wasn’t possible. I was considered a below-average student.
This was a turning point for me. If someone were to ask me, “How did you go from beginner Japanese to getting a job offer in Japan?” It’s simply because I never gave up, even at times when I felt down.
Hearing that I’m a below-average student from my sensei made me very sad. But I knew I couldn’t give up because it was my dream. I worked really hard and studied day and night to prepare for the JLPT N5 exam. And in the end, all that effort paid off. I passed! When I got my JLPT N5 certificate, I showed it to my sensei as proof of my dedication.
I moved on to a higher-level Japanese class. Unfortunately, I also heard the same discouraging words from my sensei again. However, this time it didn’t affect me much. I believed in myself and in my hard work, and I knew I would be able to pass. I was able to crack my JLPT N3 exam in just 6 months! This experience made me more confident in my ability to learn Japanese.
Tips for Studying Japanese from an Engineer
- Practice speaking. Many students learning Japanese feel afraid to speak, worried about making mistakes. However, speaking regularly is one of the fastest ways to become comfortable with the language. It helps your ears adapt to the natural pronunciation of Japanese. The more you speak, the more confident you become. Over time, this consistent practice speeds up your progress and leads to a much more natural conversational ability.
- Listen to the language. Listening is very important and will help you learn the language faster. You can, of course, watch anime. But I didn’t really feel it was the best option, so I chose to listen to podcasts instead. Just make sure to choose what is more suitable for you.
- Enjoy the process. Enjoying the process of learning is the most important part. Speak from the heart. When that happens, you will sound more natural and less artificial.
How FAST OFFER Helped Me Land a Job in Japan
After passing JLPT N3, I learned about FAST OFFER International through my professors and seniors at the university. I signed up and learned that I have to pass the initial screening, which included mock interviews.
To prepare, I had a lot of practice with my Japanese teachers at university. A lot of my seniors also gave me tips and tricks to help pass the mock interview. When the time came for the mock interview, I was one of the four students to be able to pass. I felt happy and proud of my hard work!
Going to Japan for Job Interviews
I was so excited to start job hunting after passing my initial screening with FAST OFFER. Soon, I was selected to interview for several companies in Japan. When I landed in Japan, I felt like I was freezing. The temperature when I arrived was 6 degrees Celsius, way colder than the 30 degrees Celsius that I’m used to in India.
Experiencing Japanese Job Interviews
In my experience, Japanese companies usually hold at least two rounds of job interviews. In the first one, they typically ask questions about your background and your motivation to work in Japan. During second interviews, they are more likely to ask technical questions to assess your ability and compatibility for the role.
First interview with the companies
I expected the interview to be very hard, but to my surprise, it was very easy. The interviewer was very kind and supportive and helped me answer questions even when I stuttered. I was able to pass both of my first interviews with no obstacles whatsoever.
Going into the second interviews
If the first interview was easy, then the second one must be difficult, right? Actually, not at all. It just had more questions about the company’s products and my graduation project. Thanks to my company research and all the help I got from my mentors and seniors, I was able to crack the second interview too.
Waiting for the Results
I was waiting anxiously for any message or phone call from my mentor to tell me about the results of the interview. One by one, the other students got their results. I was the only one who was left in the waiting room with no news. What was running through my mind during this time was whether I would complete my journey from mastering beginner Japanese to getting a job offer.
Finally, after 2 hours of frustration, I got a call from my mentor that I got accepted. I was so happy! It was to the point where I couldn’t stop my eyes from tearing up. It felt unreal that my dream was actually coming true.
I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to my career advisor. I’m truly grateful for her invaluable help with company research, interview preparation, and mock interviews. Her guidance on analyzing company culture, structuring my answers, and building confidence made a significant difference.
The 1-Year Gap: Preparing for My Job in Japan
I still have about a year until I start working. There are many goals I want to achieve before I start my job in Japan. I want to continue studying Japanese and pass the JLPT N2 exam.
I also want to work on my business Japanese so I can easily hold conversations and communicate in the workplace.
Aside from improving my Japanese, I also want to deepen my understanding and expand my knowledge about my duties in the company. I want to learn more about the company’s technologies and systems so I can implement them in my projects.
And personally, I want to learn how to cook since I’ll be living alone. I don’t want to eat it from 7/11 every day!
Overall, I’m excited to begin a new chapter. This is why I went through the journey of learning beginner Japanese and working hard to get a job offer in Japan. I aspire to contribute to society by working on impactful projects that improve people’s lives. My goal is to create meaningful change and leave a lasting, positive impact on Japanese society.
