Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities Beyond My Home Country

Untuk mengikuti hasratnya dalam bidang teknik mesin, talenta teknik ini berangkat untuk mencari peluang terbaik di luar negara asalnya. Meskipun pada awalnya ia mempertimbangkan untuk membangun masa depan di Amerika Serikat, jalan hidupnya berubah ketika teman-teman dekatnya mendorongnya untuk bergabung dengan program FAST OFFER International. Dengan antusiasme yang sama dan terinspirasi oleh budaya Jepang, terutama anime dan seni tradisional seperti origami, ia pun mengambil kesempatan tersebut. Mendapat kesempatan kerja di bidang teknik mesin yang menarik di Jepang, ia kini berharap dapat menghubungkan minat pribadinya dengan karier yang bermakna.

Looking for Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities Beyond My Home Country | Mencari Peluang Kerja Teknik Mesin di Luar Negara Asal Saya

I am studying mechanical engineering and became interested in mechanical design through the projects I was involved in. However, I realized that there are limited job opportunities related to mechanical engineering in my country. So, when I decided on my career interest, I was considering working abroad, particularly in the United States.

“Saya menyadari bahwa peluang kerja yang berkaitan dengan teknik mesin di negara saya sangat terbatas.”

Persuaded by Friends to Join the FAST OFFER International Program | Dibujuk oleh Teman untuk Bergabung dengan Program Internasional FAST OFFER

I had a group of close friends also studying in the same Faculty. We used to attend competitions or conferences together. Unlike me, their preferred work destination or Mechanical Engineering job opportunities were in Japan. When they came across the FAST OFFER International Program on the university’s official Instagram, they invited me to join them. Learning more about the opportunities in Japan, my friends’ enthusiasm, and my own fascination with Japanese culture and philosophy, I decided to change course. Convinced, I accepted their invitation and set my sights on working in Japan one day.

“Setelah mengetahui lebih banyak tentang peluang di Jepang, antusiasme teman-teman saya, dan ketertarikan saya terhadap budaya dan filosofi Jepang, saya memutuskan untuk mengubah haluan.” 

My Half-Day Trip to Akihibara, Japan with Friends  | Perjalanan Setengah Hari Saya ke Akihibara, Jepang Bersama Teman-teman

I have been to Japan once, though it was just a half-day trip because we were in transit on the way to the United States. We were participating in a conference about designing a portable air quality sensor. That was the time when I had not considered Japan as one of my career destinations.

After we reached Haneda Airport, we went to Akihabara by train because one of my friends, who was also in the group, liked anime and wanted to visit there. My anime-fan friend knew some Japanese, but it wasn’t enough to grasp the complicated train line. We almost got lost on the way!  

Akihibara was lively, and the crowd was diverse! We spent 4-6 hours there and bought some Japanese snacks as souvenirs. I even found the Naruto figure but did not buy it because it was too expensive. Luckily, the return journey to the airport was safe and sound. I wish to return to Akihabara again because there is still so much to explore!  

Japan impressed and fascinated me in that short time, especially how it fused modern technology and Japanese tradition so well. Looking back, although I hadn’t been considering working in Japan at that time, my first-hand experience of the country played a part in making me pivot my career plans. After all, deciding to pursue mechanical engineering job opportunities in Japan was not an easy decision to make because of an important caveat… 

“Jepang membuat saya terkesan dan terpesona dalam waktu singkat itu, terutama bagaimana negara ini memadukan teknologi modern dan tradisi Jepang dengan sangat baik. Menengok ke belakang, meskipun pada saat itu saya belum mempertimbangkan untuk bekerja di Jepang, pengalaman langsung saya di negara ini berperan dalam membuat saya mengubah rencana karier saya. Bagaimanapun juga, memutuskan untuk mengejar peluang kerja di bidang teknik mesin di Jepang bukanlah keputusan yang mudah untuk diambil karena adanya peringatan penting…” 

To Land Exciting Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities in Japan, Learning Japanese is a Must | Untuk Mendapatkan Peluang Kerja Teknik Mesin yang Menarik di Jepang, Belajar Bahasa Jepang adalah Suatu Keharusan

The decision to pursue Japan came with a responsibility to learn Japanese. Thankfully, the free Japanese classes for Indonesians under the FAST OFFER International Program were incredibly helpful in helping me learn Japanese from zero and preparing me for the job interview.   

“Keputusan untuk mengejar Jepang datang dengan tanggung jawab untuk belajar bahasa Jepang. Untungnya, kelas bahasa Jepang gratis untuk orang Indonesia di bawah Program Internasional FAST OFFER sangat membantu dalam membantu saya belajar bahasa Jepang dari nol dan mempersiapkan saya untuk wawancara kerja.” 

It was difficult for me to learn a new language because the Japanese letters are so different from the Indonesian and English alphabets! Although I have loved watching anime such as Naruto and Crayon Shin-Chan since I was little, it was still hard to understand the content without subtitles when I first joined the Japanese class. 

When revising the Japanese materials, I would watch videos about Japanese traditions to get motivated. This aroused my desire to work in Japan and continue to learn Japanese. I even explored my hobby of origami making! I’m able to make swordsmen, angels, and other famous origami figures, based on designs by origami artists.   

“Saya bahkan mengeksplorasi hobi saya membuat origami!” 

Sometimes, I also listen to Japanese podcasts on YouTube to improve my listening skills. I suggest that Japanese beginners learn from Akane no Nihongo Kyoushitsu. She shares vocabulary, phrases, and knowledge about daily life in Japan with the Japanese and English subtitles, where you can easily follow along. The videos were interesting! When I learnt new vocabulary from the video, I would jot it down and memorize it daily.   

My next step to improving my speaking will be to use HelloTalk. Many friends have told me that this is a helpful app that allows you to speak with native Japanese.   

Interview Failure Keeps Me Moving On | Kegagalan Wawancara Membuat Saya Terus Maju 

I was informed about my first online interview one month in advance. However, I ended up overthinking and didn’t prepare properly. My Japanese was bad, I didn’t do any mock interview practice, was unable to memorize all the Japanese technical terms, and hardly understood the interviewer’s questions. In addition, it was my first time speaking Japanese with native Japanese which made me too nervous! Knowing all the ways I fell short, I mentally prepared myself for rejection from the company. 

Luckily, I received another interview offer the next month. With the previous experience, I studied harder, memorized the Japanese technical terms, attended the mock interview practice, and researched the company. My interest in the company deepened the more I researched. I was motivated and prepared more for the second interview. However, I still lacked confidence that I might fail again because my Japanese was lacking. Thank God, I passed the interview and secured a job in Japan before I graduated! 

“Alhamdulillah, saya lulus wawancara dan mendapatkan pekerjaan di Jepang sebelum saya lulus!” 

Always Remember Your Initial Goal  |  Selalu Ingat Tujuan Awal Anda 

My favorite Japanese term is shoshin (初心). Even if you are experienced, you must think as if you are still a learner. That is how we keep running, growing, and becoming experts in that field.   

In addition, if you are keen on working in Japan, please keep going and do not give up! Even though there are ups and downs, you must keep moving forward. If your Japanese is not that good, don’t worry! The most important thing is that the Japanese want to see how much you want to work with them, so show them how excited you are to work with them!   

“Hal yang paling penting adalah bahwa orang Jepang ingin melihat seberapa besar keinginan Anda untuk bekerja sama dengan mereka, jadi tunjukkan kepada mereka betapa bersemangatnya Anda untuk bekerja sama dengan mereka!” 

One key feature of Japanese Job interviews is “reverse questions.” These are questions you ask the interviewer. Great questions leave a better impression.  

Tips on Forming Impressive Reverse Questions for Japanese Job Interviews  |  Tips Membuat Pertanyaan Terbalik yang Mengesankan untuk Wawancara Kerja di Jepang

• REMEMBER to show your INTEREST in the COMPANY!   
• Research the company and get to know everything about them.   
• Ask them questions about what’s happening now.   
• Ask about products they are developing now, and what the industry trend is  
• Ask them about your possible future with them.  
• Ask what you need to prepare if you get selected, and what you need to prepare before joining the company. 

FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Guide to Finding Mechanical Engineering Jobs in Japan

Finding a mechanical engineering job in Japan may seem out of reach if you’re living abroad, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Many successful candidates under our FAST OFFER International program reside outside Japan when they land a mechanical engineering job. Here are some tips to increase your chances!

Build Your Niche Through An Internship

Japanese companies are often open to employing fresh graduates with minimal experience. However, having an internship that’s aligned with a company’s specialty is always a plus. Whether you’re diving into renewable energy, automotive engineering, or manufacturing as your specialization, gaining targeted experience is a great way to gain interest from mechanical engineering companies.

Gain Mechanical Engineering Software Certifications

Having software proficiency as a mechanical engineering graduate is a great asset wherever you job hunt, including in Japan. Having the right certifications can boost your credibility and show that you’re well-prepared to take on the job. CAD Certifications like Autodesk Certified Associate (ACA) can give your resume an edge.

Polish Your Japanese

Having great mechanical engineering skills is a good start, but one thing that you shouldn’t take for granted is improving your Japanese. Smooth communication is key to a good working relationship, so being fluent in Japanese is a valued trait in candidates looking for a job in Japan. Make sure to continuously refine your speaking and listening skills to ace your interviews!

Research Companies You Want To Work With

Before starting your job hunt, make a list of the companies you’re interested in and research each one thoroughly before applying. This ensures that your goals, values, and preferences align with what the company offers. Don’t just stop at browsing their website — dig deeper into their reputation in the industry, their strengths, and how they compare to competitors. This extra insight will help you make more informed decisions and present yourself more confidently during the application and interview process. See our guide to learn more about how to do thorough company research.