| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor of Science (Honors) Electronics, University of Delhi |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese multinational corporation known for producing cycling, fishing, and rowing equipment. |
| SUMMARY |
| Inspired by Japan’s innovative technology field, a young Bachelor of Science (Honors) Electronics graduate from the University of Delhi set out to find a job in Japan. In this story, he shares his experience of job hunting in Tokyo with the support of the FAST OFFER International Program. He also offers interview tips for fellow engineers hoping to pursue a career in Japan. |
It All Started With My Love For Anime
Would you believe it if I told you that my journey of job hunting in Tokyo all started because of my love for anime? One of my favorite and first anime that I watched back in middle school is Fairy Tail. It’s an amazing series about the power of friendship and caring for one another. I loved it so much that I wanted to watch it without subtitles, so I decided to learn Japanese.
As I began studying the language, I also discovered more about Japan’s culture and its incredibly advanced technology. I was in middle school at the time and electronics was my newfound hobby after watching Iron Man. I couldn’t help but admire the ingenuity and thoughtful design behind everything. Over time, that sense of awe turned into a strong motivation to work in Japan.
Self-Studying Japanese: How I Did It While In India
When I decided that I wanted to work in Japan, I began learning Japanese seriously. It was all self-study! I scoured the internet for free resources like the Cure Dolly YouTube channel, Tae Kim’s Japanese Guide, and Anki JLPT decks.
But one of the best things I did to really learn Japanese was using a method called immersion. Essentially, I tried to integrate Japanese into my daily life by changing my devices’ language settings like my Spotify account, tuning in to Japanese news, and consuming Japanese media such as books, movies, and anime in their original format without subtitles. It was very overwhelming at first, but over time, I got used to it.
I also tried to find online communities, like on Discord, to chat and make friends with native speakers. Through all these methods, I eventually achieved JLPT N3!
Job Hunting In Tokyo With the FAST OFFER International Program
I learned about the FAST OFFER International Program when I received a message on LinkedIn from one of ASIA to JAPAN’s staff. At first, I was skeptical, but after doing some research, it sounded like a great opportunity, so I signed up. After sending all my documents, I was immediately contacted by a career advisor who helped showcase my resume to companies. From there, I received an invitation to fly to Tokyo for on-site interviews.
When I arrived in Tokyo, I was amazed by how efficient everything is, especially the Shinkansen. My initial excitement quickly turned into nervousness when I realized I still had interviews to do. To shake off the nerves, I practiced and prepared again. I was very nervous on the first interview, especially because my spoken Japanese is not as good at the time. But thanks to my ASIA to JAPAN career advisor for helping me practice, I got more confident.
My tips for Japanese job interviews, from my experience job hunting in Tokyo
- Be prepared and do your research. One of the important lessons I learned was to learn about the company and its vision. Go through any of the resources you can find about the company. From there, if you can create a personal connection to what makes them tick, your answers will be more genuine, more personal, and more memorable to the interviewer.
- Don’t forget to smile. This sounds obvious, right? However, in stressful situations, especially interviews, you have to make an effort not to make a sour face. Some practice and consistent feedback from my career counselor really helped me with this.
Out of all the job interviews I had, I accepted one company’s offer because I had a genuinely good impression of them. I also had fond memories of using their products. One of the things they produce is advanced cycling equipment, and since I love biking, I felt an immediate connection. My role will be in software development, which ties perfectly into their high-tech products. Another thing I really appreciate is how software development feels more connected to the users through real-world, hands-on activities and interactions with nature. It’s something you don’t typically see in most software development roles.
I also had the chance to visit the company’s facility in Osaka. I explored their manufacturing hub, saw the entire production line, and even had lunch with the team. Seeing how everything worked behind the scenes made me want to join them even more.
After the visit, I rushed back just in time to Tokyo for the ASIA to JAPAN party. Then, early the next morning, is my flight back to India. The schedule was tight, but everything worked out! I wish I could have explored Japan more, but there’s more time for that when I’m already living and working there.
What’s Next For Me: Life In Japan After Job Hunting
Right now, I’m preparing for my move to Japan.
There are a few things I’m really looking forward to doing once I settle in. I definitely want to visit Akihabara (something I couldn’t do when I visited for my interviews), I’d love to attend more anime-related events, and also do some mountain biking. I’m so happy that my efforts at job hunting in Tokyo paid off. Japan, here I come!
