Learning Japanese For Work: From Hiragana To Hired

Japan Is The Only Answer 

When I was around 18, my interest in Japan quietly began at home. My family introduced me to Japanese food items, and I naturally became curious about Japanese culture. It wasn’t anything deep — just watching Japanese vlogs on YouTube, discovering their lifestyle, and learning fun facts. At that point, I wasn’t thinking about working in Japan or learning the language seriously. 

Everything changed when I turned 20. During my final year of university, I received an email about the FAST OFFER International program — a program that not only taught Japanese but also helped students get placed in Japanese companies. I didn’t hesitate even for a second. I immediately enrolled and began my Japanese learning journey around the end of June 2024. The program has been incredibly helpful for beginners like me, who started with zero knowledge of Japanese. With every lesson, my connection to Japan grew stronger. Soon, it began to feel like more than just a goal — it felt like destiny. 

From scratch, I committed myself to this path even with no prior experience in the language. What started as a classroom journey soon turned into something deeper. Japan wasn’t just a goal anymore; it became my direction. I learned, practiced, and kept going every single day with passion and clarity. And by March 2025, I received a job offer from a Japanese company — something I’ll always remember as one of the proudest moments of my life. 

Family And Friends’ Support Made Me Brave In Chasing My Dream 

When I first told my family that I was going to join the FAST OFFER International program and get a job in Japan, they were hesitant, worried, and tense about my decision. To show them how much I want to pursue a job in Japan, I focused on showing them my dedication through my consistent progress in learning Japanese for my future work. As the program went on and they saw how committed and capable I was, their doubts began to fade. Over time, their support grew stronger, and now they fully stand behind my decision to build a future in Japan. 

I made new friends with the people enrolled in the same Japanese class. We supported and encouraged each other, often practicing our Japanese speaking skills together. Sharing this journey brought us closer, and when I told them the exciting news that I had secured a job in Japan, they were genuinely happy for me and celebrated my achievement. 

Learning Japanese For Work — Like A Child 

One of my personal tips for learning Japanese for work is to approach it like how a child would. I adopted many of the same methods children use when learning a language. To practice my basic skills, I often searched for Japanese nursery rhymes and simple children’s stories. I even observed how Japanese kids spoke and how their parents taught them. Mimicking these patterns helped me build a strong foundation.  

On YouTube, I searched for videos and podcasts on YouTube like JapanesePod101, NihonGoal, Japarrot!- Let’s Learn Japanese, and Fun Nihongo. They really helped a lot when I started my journey with hiragana and katakana, especially in learning the stroke order and many more. 

I realized that adopting a childlike curiosity and a learning mindset kept me open, motivated, and constantly absorbing new knowledge. If you get bored with learning Japanese for work, try changing your learning method until you find one that will excite you. Do something that you like, and you will enjoy the process. Trust me! 

Learning Japanese For Work With HelloTalk 

Another tool that helped me improve my Japanese for work is HelloTalk, where I got to practice my conversation skills with native speakers. Besides practicing my speaking skills, I also joined a live streaming room on the app. I don’t interact during the livestream; I just tuned in and listened to what they were saying. Whenever I heard something that struck me like “ohaiyou” (good morning), I would immediately recall the meaning of it and relate it to the lessons I attended. While listening to the Japanese livestreams, I would also jot down words I know to practice my writing. 

Learning Japanese For Work: Tips For Beginners 

Here are some more of my tips for beginners learning Japanese for work, based on my experience.

1. Think like a toddler and look for beginner-level materials. You will have to be patient; start slowly and trust the process. 

2. No matter how many times you fall, you will get stronger the next time. Don’t give up, change the methods instead!  

3. Keep pushing forward. You never know when the next opportunity will be yours. With resilience, you will be able to achieve your goals one day. 

4. Always prepare, and everything will be smooth on your big day! 

5. Practice speaking Japanese using online resources like livestreaming. 

6. Ask for pieces of advice from your friends and seniors who have already experienced being interviewed for jobs in Japan.  

7. Try your best to showcase your talent and potential! Let the interviewers know more about you and what you bring to the table. 

8. If you ever don’t understand a question during the interview, it’s perfectly okay to ask them to repeat or explain it slowly. They’ll appreciate your honesty and willingness to communicate clearly. 

9. Keep your spirits high — you got this! 

A Race Against Time 

After working hard, I finally secured my first job interview. The catch is I only have two days to prepare. It was so tense, but I accepted the challenge. To my surprise, the interview was just like a mock interview rather than a formal one; it wasn’t that scary! 

But with such short time to prepare, I honestly did not know whether my answers are right or wrong. In the end, I didn’t get the job, and I was disappointed. But instead of letting it discourage me, I used the experience as motivation to keep improving. 

Determined To Give My Best 

After not qualifying in my first interview, I was determined to give my best this time. Thankfully, I had a few days to prepare, and I used that time wisely. Though I was nervous before it began, the moment the interview started, everything changed. The vibe was unexpectedly warm — more like catching up with old friends than a formal interview. The interviewers kept the questions coming, and I kept answering with ease. I didn’t even realize time was flying until I noticed there were just five minutes left. 

What truly stood out wasn’t just the questions or my answers, but the atmosphere. They made me feel seen, heard, and respected. We smiled the whole time — I, because I could express myself freely; they, because they genuinely enjoyed the conversation. It felt natural, not staged. Even in the final round, the kindness and friendliness continued. They didn’t just assess my skills; they cared about me as a person, even asking if I could adapt to Japan’s food culture. 

This was my first-ever interview, but it didn’t feel like one. It felt like I belonged there. I walked out of that virtual room confident that I’d done well, not because I knew all the answers, but because they let me be myself. And that means everything. This experience will always be special to me — not just because it ended with an offer, but because it began with respect, comfort, and connection. 

I was delighted and relieved because I achieved the most important milestone towards my dream of living in Japan. I’m grateful that the company was open to hiring someone like me with zero working experience. I’m also truly grateful to myself for embracing the challenge and doing my best. This experience will always hold a special place in my heart.  

Looking Forward To Working In Japan

I’ve always admired Japanese working culture. One concept that resonated with me is otagaisama (お互い様), which means we are in the same boat. Japanese people always work together to achieve things, and I think this culture can help me adapt better and improve when I work in Japan. I’ve always loved to work in a team, where I can share my thoughts and ideologies, choose the best from a discussion, and give my best output to the team. I think otagaisama is really my style of working.  

I also strongly believe in the concept of kaizen (改善), the philosophy of continuous improvement. It has guided me to grow a little every day throughout my journey learning Japanese for work, and I know I can apply the same mindset in my professional life. These work philosophies deeply resonate with me, making me feel connected to Japan on a personal level. In many ways, the Japanese way of thinking and my own values seem to move in perfect harmony. 

Starting My Dream Life 

Right now, I am super eager to start my journey to Japan! I’m excited to explore and experience the Japanese culture and way of life. I think that getting more life experience through working in Japan can shape me into a better person with good survival experience and skills. I feel an invisible thread tying me to Japan, and with each day, the distance between us feels smaller. 

My Message To Anyone Who’s Learning Japanese For Work 

This message is especially for beginners — the ones who’ve just started learning Hiragana and Katakana, and feel like cracking a Japanese interview is out of reach. I’ve been there. My journey wasn’t long, but it was intentional. You don’t need to be perfect in the language — you just need the right grip and mindset. If I could do this in a few months, you can too. I hope my experience gives you the push you need to believe in yourself and chase the same dream. 

FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Learning Japanese For Work? Tips To Land the Job Interview

Preparing for your first job interview in Japan? Mastering basic conversational Japanese is a good start. But to ace your interview, you must learn these terms and concepts in Japanese as part of your prep to smoothly convey your skills and increase your chances of getting hired.

Final Year Project Jargon

As a fresh graduate seeking a job in Japan, your Final Year Project will likely be a key topic during interviews. Many Japanese companies use it to evaluate your knowledge, technical ability, and potential in your chosen field. To communicate your ideas effectively and present yourself as confident and competent, it’s essential to learn how to express relevant jargon and technical terms in Japanese. This is especially important for engineering and computer science graduates, where precise use of industry-specific language is crucial.

Your Degree And Internships

It’s crucial to be able to talk about your academic background in Japanese, such as what degree you earned, the kind of training you received, and why your skills make you a strong candidate. Equally important is being able to discuss your internship experience: how it helped you grow, what you learned, and how it aligns with what the company is looking for. Japanese companies value clear, confident communication, especially in their native language. Being able to express these points fluently in Japanese not only shows that you’re well-prepared but also signals that you’re serious about working in Japan and capable of integrating into a Japanese work environment.

Addressing Your Interviewers

Before your interview, familiarize yourself with keigo (honorific language). Knowing how to properly address your interviewers in keigo is essential to establish rapport and communicate respect throughout the interview. For example, be mindful to use “desu” and “masu” after nouns and verbs instead of just the regular versions of them. To guide candidates through job interviews and prepare them to thrive in a Japanese workplace, the FAST OFFER International Program’s free Japanese classes include sessions about learning Keigo. Learn more here.