How I Wound Up Pursuing Mid-Career Job Opportunities in Japan
During my final year studying at Mangalore Institute of Technology and Engineering (MITE), I knew I wanted to work abroad but I wasn’t decided on where exactly. Luckily, during a vacation break, there was a meet up with university alumni who were currently working in Japan. They talked to us about life in Japan, the jobs in Japan for Indians, and all the benefits. I was convinced: my ideal future was in Japan. So, I found a company that helped me learn Japanese. I was able to become fluent, however, perhaps due to the pandemic breaking out at the same time, they couldn’t coordinate interview opportunities for me. This would lead me to looking for job opportunities in Japan as a mid-career applicant.
Despite the challenges of that time, I was still decided about working in Japan one day. I thought of some way that could help me with that in the meantime. I found a job within India as a bilingual developer. It was different from my Electronics and Communication major, but it would help me refine my Japanese—something I’m sure was essential to job hunting in Japan as a foreigner.
Friends Introduced Me to FAST OFFER International
I still dreamed of working in Japan one day, so I was constantly on the lookout for opportunities. However, I couldn’t help that I was also a little skeptical. There are a lots of agencies in India who promise work opportunities in Japan, and most of them require a fee. Some of those so-called agencies are also scams. So, when friends I’d been learning Japanese with told me about FAST OFFER International, I didn’t immediately jump on. I watched my friends succeed every step of the way with FAST OFFER International at practically no expense from their own pocket. They even told me that FAST OFFER International continued to support them throughout the onboarding process. With my friends already scheduled to Japan, I was finally confident to sign up with the program.
The Challenges of Attracting Job Opportunities in Japan as a Mid-Career Applicant
Initially, because I had less than three years of work experience when I signed up with them, I entered the market as a fresh graduate. However, my major in Electronics and Communication clashing with my experience in the IT field made for a detrimental resume. I eventually moved on to becoming a mid-career applicant as time went by. That made the process for me even slower, as the actual number for openings for mid-career employees are limited and come with more requirements.
Fewer but more niche job opportunities means more competition
Most Japanese companies do not mass-hire mid-career applicants as they would fresh graduates. In addition, mid-career openings typically require more niche specialized skills. Thus, the opportunities for mid-career employees are comparatively lesser than jobs for fresh grads. The somewhat shorter supply for the many international mid-career applicants means the competition is quite stiff.
Most interview opportunities will be online
FAST OFFER International regularly sponsors trips for talents to go to Japan for in-person interviews. However, to qualify, talents need at least three companies interested in interviewing them all at the same time. Due to the many variables, I landed interview opportunities one at a time over the course of a year. Thus, the first four interviews I had were all conducted online.
The disadvantages of online interviews
Being limited to an online interviews can mean that you’re completely dependent on matters out of control.
- Sometimes, my internet connection would lag. This affects the whole experience and can reflect badly on you.
- Sometimes interviewers will be wear masks that can muffle their words, and sometimes the audio quality is limited the their microphone or headphones. This makes conversing them a little harder as I can barely understand what they’re saying at times.
- Another issue encountered in online interviews is the difficulty forming rapport with interviewers without the help of gauging body language and clearer facial expressions.
Your Japanese matters a lot more
Communicating in Japanese as a mid-career applicant can be even more important. Applying alongside more upskilled talents can sometimes mean your Japanese language skills becoming the deciding factor. Your Japanese level after all, is highly connected to how quickly you can adjust to work. Thankfully, constantly practicing Japanese for my work then came in handy. My speaking ability was never a problem during interviews.
You need to upskill!
I was desperate to land more interviews. Reflecting hard on what I could do to attract more Japanese companies, I started getting more skills and thinking about the projects I’ve worked on and reflected that in my profile. Reader, it worked! All of a sudden, four companies were interested in me! This qualified me to fly to Japan! Upskilling made all the difference for my application as a mid-career applicant in the Japanese Job Market.
Offline Interviews Opportunities in Japan as a Mid-Career Applicant
The sponsored trip to Japan happened so fast. Every day, I was busy attending interviews. Near the end, I did a company tour and also attended FAST OFFER International’s farewell part. There wasn’t much time to do anything else but concentrate on the job offers.
I was so nervous, but I kept in mind all me mentors’ lessons with me. In the past year interviewing with Japanese companies, FAST OFFER International provided mentors that gave me incredible personalized advice. They couched me on the best practices, how to answer questions, how to research companies, how to practice Japanese manners, and even down to how to be best understood through pacing and directness.
I was surprised at how much easier in-person interviewers were. It was easier to smile and make eye contact with the interviewers, helping me build rapport quickly. All the interviews felt more like getting-to-know-you casual conversations. Of the four companies I interviewed with, I got to the second round for two interviews.
The Second Round of Interviews with Japanese Companies
It was my first time to enter the second round of an interview. I asked about my peers experience with the companies I was going to my final interviews for. My peers’ stories frightened me. However, the second round was surprisingly easy! Most of the questions I was asked weren’t what I expected: what are you excited and worried about in Japan? Do you have dietary restrictions?
Thinking about it now makes me giggle—I couldn’t have expected such questions from an interview! But it was their way of asking real personalized concern. The only protein I eat is chicken due to my preference, and they were genuinely concerned about that and how I’d adjust to life in Japan. In truth, I’m not used to Japanese food at all. For all my life, all I’ve known is Indian-level spicy food. I tried looking for that in Japan and my palate only registers their “spicy” as sweet.
I’m confident however, that this is something I can work on. I’m eating more Japanese food, trying to adjust my palate. But I also know that worse comes to shove, Japan’s strong Indian community allows me access to a lot of Indian necessities (e.g. Spices!)
Getting two job offers as a foreign mid-career Applicant in Japan
I was so surprised and elated to find out that two companies wanted to proceed with hiring me. However, this got me in a tizzy. Both companies were both promising but I chose the company that was more established, was situated in a more affordable locale, and offered a higher salary in response to my work experience.
Looking Forward to In Japan
I’m excited to start my life in Japan. I’ve wanted this for so long and I’m finally going to live out the dream. The last time I was in Japan was so hectic, but this time, I’ll have time to meet all my friends who are already in Japan. As a mid-career applicant who’s just landed a job opportunity in Japan, many other friends have come before me. One of my friends even lives somewhere near my would-be apartment. When I get there, we’ll not just meet, but have time to explore and tour Japan together.
