This Indian Systems Engineer’s Journey to Japan Taught Her That Hurdles Make Winning Much Sweeter
In India, after high school, you get a four or five-month break before you enter university. During that time, I wanted to learn new things. My mom suggested that learning a new language can be an interesting experience that could help my career. She told me learning Japanese and diving into a new culture would give me an edge over my peers.
Further, I took part in the Indo-Japan cultural event program in college, which was a remarkable experience. The event featured various cultural exchanges, including traditional Japanese music, dance, and art. It provided me with a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, festivals, and cuisine, and sparked my enthusiasm for exploring more about Japan.
It was fun and engaging but it wasn’t easy. Learning something from scratch will always be hard. I reached a point of considering quitting, but my mom pushed me to trust in the process and to keep at it. I’ve followed that advice up to today! I’ve been learning Japanese for five to six years now.
How Japan’s Tech Industry Inspired an Indian Engineer
In the beginning, when I was studying, it wasn’t because I was dreaming of working in Japan. I just thought it would be an extra skill I could use in the workforce within India. What started my dream of putting my Japanese to use at a Japanese company was my experience with my degree.
I chose to study electronics and telecommunications at Pune University because I’ve always been enamored with technology. My degree has let me drill down on machine learning, AI, and IoT technologies. I used all that in my Final Year Project and internships as an AI and ML Engineer.
All this exposure to the most innovative technology naturally led me to learn more about how Japan is an industry leader globally. I learned about their advancements in robotics, and I was blown away by the automobile industry. It made me want to be part of the system that churned out the best, most advanced technology in the world. I wanted to be an active participant in progress on a global stage. If I wanted to grow to my highest potential as an engineer and make top-notch outputs, then Japan was the perfect place for that pursuit.
How FAST OFFER International Helped Me Secure a Job in Japan
When I learned about FAST OFFER International during my final year in college, I quickly signed up! However, when I got on a call with them partly to check my Japanese level, I buckled. I’d been learning Japanese for years on and off, I even had JLPT N3 certification, but I’d neglected my speaking skills. After all, you can get your JLPT certification by taking a non-speaking test. So, I found myself asking the interviewer to speak in English. They recommended I keep studying Japanese and then try again.
That inspired me to focus on Japanese speaking skills seriously. After a few months, I got a call from FAST OFFER International, and this time, I was a little more prepared. Still, my Japanese was not quite hitting the mark. Thankfully, I was told to self-study while I wait to join FAST OFFER International’s free business Japanese classes in two months.
Those classes changed things for me. It helped me learn Japanese used in the workplace, beyond the textbook, and practice speaking Japanese. The Business Japanese classes, were incredibly valuable for my professional development. These classes focused on the specific language skills and cultural knowledge needed for effective communication in a Japanese business environment. I learned business etiquette, formal language usage, and important cultural practices.
I also used that time to immerse myself more in the Japanese language through listening to Japanese podcasts, blogs, and news shows.
Podcasts That Will Help You Learn Japanese
For beginner level: Japanese with Shun on Youtube
For intermediate level: Akane’s Japanese Class
For advanced level: news show Yuyu Japanese Podcast.
Securing IT Engineering Jobs in Japan: My Experience with FAST OFFER International
Right after my classes with FAST OFFER International, the true job hunt began.
I sent an introductory video that I was finally proud of. Soon after, I got an online job interview with a company. However, I was nervous, and I still wasn’t as confident as I could be. I fumbled badly. I doubled my efforts in learning Japanese.
It was at my second job interview that I got some much-needed positive feedback. The interviewer remarked on how good my Japanese was. That was so refreshing to hear from a local. It gave a confidence boost. Even when that opportunity didn’t pan out, I still carried that confidence with me. I conquered the biggest hurdle at the least! The next interview with another company went the same way, and I learned some more but grew even more confident in my Japanese.
I studied Japanese for many years, but I learned the most during my time with FAST OFFER International’s classes and job interviews.
Failing at each interview hurt, but I thought of it as a way I could learn. For every online job interview I took, FAST OFFER International’s mentor helped me prepare thoroughly. Failing showed me ways I could improve. Failing also allowed me to experience a variety of interviews. My experience learning Japanese taught me to trust in the process. I had to be patient and believe my hard work would pay off.
After failing three interviews, FAST OFFER International gave me this amazing opportunity to fly to Japan to interview for three interested companies.
My First Visit to Japan: A Life-Changing Experience
I remember the first day I was in Japan and the euphoria I felt. I found everything titillating, even the Okachimachi train tickets we fed into this till machine. When we boarded the train, I felt my joy bubble and threatened to overflow. It was a struggle, but I followed Japanese train etiquette, quietly keeping all my giddiness inside. My eyes were wide open, taking everything in as I watched from the train windows the beautiful rainy scenery of skyscrapers and dense forests weaving in and out as we passed different cities. I even got to glimpse the beautiful Tokyo Sky Tree, the roofs of traditional Japanese houses, and small kids safely going to school on their own.
I even got my otaku brother excited. After an interview in Akihabara, I took videos of the anime shops as I walked down the road. He got so hyped and asked me to buy all sorts of things for him. He’s learning Japanese, too, and lucky for him, he has me to help practice!
There’s nowhere quite like Japan. Going there was like a dream. It’s such a different world! It felt unreal, like stepping into a TV show. Everywhere was clean and beautiful, and the people were kind. Navigating the trains, I wasn’t even afraid of getting lost because there were so many signs, and it was so easy to ask for help.
Nailing Japanese Job Interviews
I didn’t have one nervous bone because I knew I was as prepared as possible. I studied every company intensely and prepared my Final Year Project presentation perfectly. Being thoroughly prepared freed me from worries and allowed me to fully concentrate, do my best, and enjoy Japan.
Another thing that helped my nerves was having my FAST OFFER International beside me. FAST OFFER International was there right from the airport when they picked me up, and they were there before my interviews. When I was about to start feeling nervous, my mentor snapped me out of it, reminding me I had nothing to worry about.
Thirty minutes before my first in-person Japanese job interview, my mentor gave me a quick lesson. Before then, I’d only experienced online interviews so I didn’t know how to act in in-person interviews. My mentor made it easy for me to pick up.
My excitement and eagerness translated well into those interviews. Interviewers were impressed by my skills as an IT Engineer and a foreigner speaking Japanese. It felt so good to hear Japanese locals tell me how well I spoke Japanese. All those years of hard work paid off!
Later, my mentor texted me that I passed the first round for both companies.
The next day, I had three interviews: the second and final rounds for two companies and one that only needed to interview me once. It was a little bit tiring, but it also felt exciting throughout the entire day. During this round, the companies took more time introducing themselves to me so we could talk about how I could fit into their context. I stayed excited all throughout the interviews partly because the interviewers were all extremely kind and accommodating. At the end of the day, I received offers from all three companies. It turned out to be a great day. Later, I did a video call with my family and told them about the great news.
Tips to succeed in your interviews
- Prepare, prepare, prepare! Being confident in your preparation will save you from nerves.
- Show your excitement! Japanese companies appreciate how keen you want to join their cause.
- Listen to your mentors! You can trust FAST OFFER International’s advice.
- Study and be confident in your Japanese! Always go beyond the textbook and sharpen those speaking skills.
- Be patient in times of trouble! Give yourself grace. We all fumble when we learn.
How Hard Work Led to Multiple Job Offers in Japan
My interviewers reflected my enthusiasm. They saw my value just as I saw theirs. By this final round, they expressed how much they hoped I would be part of their team. I knew of course that I still needed to wait for the official results.
My mentor waited outside the booth where I took my last interview to spring great news. I got a job offer from one of the companies! I was so happy but contained myself until I heard from the two other companies first. After about an hour, I got the rest of the results. Can you believe it? They also offered me positions! I was so ecstatic that I couldn’t believe it! I asked my mentor four to five times if it was true.
At that moment, I was so happy. All the challenges I went through just made that big win even sweeter. All those moments of failure helped me get the best possible outcome.
Having three companies to choose from gave me the unique privilege of looking at the offers objectively and comparing them with one another.
Initially, I was leaning towards a different company. Conversations with my mentor and further reflection changed my mind. I got to dig deep into what each position entailed, and I saw how this other company’s position as a system engineer would let me use every skill I have, where I can truly be maximized. It’s fulfilling to use skills you worked hard to master! I wouldn’t have had that moment to sit down and really consider my options if I hadn’t succeeded with all three companies.
Getting Ready for Japan: Learning and Preparing for a New Life
I have a few months until I’m scheduled to join the company. During this time, I’m making every moment count with my family, spending as much time with them. One of the ways that’s both fun and useful is that I’m learning to cook from my mother. Living in a dorm in Japan, and being vegetarian, cooking for myself will be so important. I’m already gathering all the spices and ready-to-eat packets I need to keep Indian flavors in my life once I’m there.
Once I’m in Japan, I hope to learn even more new things! I’m going to take advantage of the beaches in the area where I’ll be stationed and see the beautiful colors of the sunset over the ocean. I’m filled with excitement and love for this amazing country.
I look forward to traveling across Japan, discovering its diverse regions, and immersing myself in the local culture, cuisine, and traditions. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the tranquil countryside, I’m excited to experience all that Japan has to offer.
I know that my life in Japan will be challenging—but that excites me! All great journeys have hurdles, and they only make victory sweeter. I’m sure that everything in store for me in Japan will only make me a better engineer and put me in the situation to show the industry how great I can be!
Persevering Through Challenges to Achieve a Career in Japan
“If you can dream it, you can do it”!
The biggest thing I learned from this experience is don’t give up too early. When you have a dream, stay focused, stay patient, and keep working hard.
I’m glad I never gave up. I’m so thankful that the first time I almost quit about 5 years ago when I was learning Japanese, my mother talked me out of it. I’m now more confident about trying new things and learning new things. I’ve become comfortable with difficulty and failure because it’s all part of the journey. Conquering obstacles makes the victory lap much sweeter.
If you’re dreaming of working in Japan one day, you need to accept early on that the adventure will be rocky. Being bad at the start is completely ok! Carry on and keep working hard. Keep improving slowly but steadily. Stay patient, interested, curious, and open to learning throughout the process. You’ll be tested repeatedly and during that time, you need to have faith that it’ll be amazing on the other side.
One day, on top of reaching your goal, you’ll surprise yourself. You’ll evolve into a completely different more confident person ready to explore their future of never-ending growth.
