| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese company that specializes in electrical control engineering, including electrical system design, control panel manufacturing, and factory automation installation and maintenance. |
| SUMMARY |
| Inspired by his love for anime, a mechanical engineering student from India pursued his dream of working in Japan by learning Japanese through FAST OFFER’s free Japanese language classes. This story follows his Japanese company interview experience, highlighting both the challenges and successes. |
From A Simple Conversation About Anime To Landing A Job In Japan
My journey from being an engineering student to interviewing with Japanese companies began with a simple conversation with my classmates about anime and movies. Although I had watched shows like Shin Chan and Doraemon as a child, this time was different. After watching my first grown-up anime, I couldn’t stop. I began watching more and more, and gradually fell in love with the Japanese language.
At that point, one of my seniors noticed how deeply interested I had become in anime and Japan, so they suggested that I look into the FAST OFFER International program. That recommendation became the first real step toward turning my curiosity for anime into a concrete goal — finding a job in Japan.
Joining Fast Offer International And My Journey Of Learning Japanese
I joined FAST OFFER’s Japanese classes in the sixth semester of my third year at university. As someone who has always valued routines and believed in consistency, I made it a habit to study Japanese every weekday for 1–2 hours, while dedicating the rest of my time to university coursework. I practiced Japanese in various ways. I spoke with many people about Japanese culture and food, which helped me apply what I was learning.
To learn better, I made Japanese part of my daily life. Since I love playing video games, I switched the language settings to Japanese, which expanded my vocabulary and exposed me to natural expressions. I also began watching anime without subtitles to improve my listening skills, making Japanese feel more natural in daily conversation. Additionally, I formed a study group with my classmates. We studied together, encouraged one another, and pushed each other to practice more — improving our speaking skills and staying motivated throughout the process.
Japanese Company Interview Experience and Experiencing Failure
Along with learning Japanese thanks to FAST OFFER’s free Japanese classes, I was also assigned a career advisor who helped me with preparing for Japanese company job interviews.
Passing the mock interviews held by my FAST OFFER career advisor felt like a dream, and even preparing for the real interviews with the companies made me giddy with anticipation. I was so excited for my first round of interviews!
However, that excitement quickly turned into anxiety. Preparing for interviews while juggling my final-year project and exams was overwhelming. I struggled to balance everything, leaving me with very little time to properly prepare for the interviews.
When the Japanese company job interviews finally came, my lack of preparation caught up with me. I panicked, stuttered, and struggled to express myself clearly. Unsurprisingly, I was rejected. At that moment, it felt like my dream of working in Japan had come to an end.
Yet, even after the rejection, a small but persistent feeling inside me refused to give up. I knew I couldn’t back down just yet. That experience taught me that setbacks are not the end. And that they’re simply part of the journey toward achieving your dreams.
Thankfully, I got the chance for another interview. I prepared for the interview well, but sadly, I failed again. This is when I went back to the drawing board to rethink my skills and my job interview strategy.
Getting Back On Track
At that time, I had a JLPT N3 certificate, but my marks weren’t as high as I had hoped. I considered retaking the exam to improve my score, but my grandmother encouraged me to aim higher and go for the N2 level instead.
To prepare, I began brushing up on all the Japanese I had learned through trial and error. I reminded myself that if I stayed confident and kept pushing forward, I could succeed. Because of that determination, I earned a second chance at interviews — this time with four companies! The opportunity felt both exciting and daunting, but I knew I was better prepared and more determined than ever before.
Finally Landing A Job Offer And Getting Accepted To Work In Japan
Before the interviews, I prepared day and night, carefully researching each company I would be meeting with. The first time I went to Japan for interviews, I was excited.
I approached the process with complete determination, giving it everything I had. During the interviews, I stayed focused, confident, and fully present. All my preparation, practice, and persistence paid off, and at last, I received a job offer from one of the four companies. The moment was the culmination of years of hard work, determination, and never giving up on my dream of working in Japan.
Trial and Error: A Lookback On My Journey
My Japanese company interview experience, and my job hunting journey overall, is filled with ups and downs, but I’m glad I never gave up.
They say failure is the first step toward success, and in my case, that couldn’t be more true. I always believed in myself, and I knew that as long as I stayed confident, I could achieve my dream one day.
From the moment I first heard about FAST OFFER International from a senior, to joining the Japanese classes, going through multiple rounds of interviews, and finally landing a job, my journey proves that confidence, persistence, and hard work can overcome any setback.
I am deeply grateful to FAST OFFER International for giving me this opportunity, to my family for their unwavering support, and to my teachers and mentors who guided me along the way. It is truly an honor to be accepted and to begin working in a Japanese company. It’s a dream that once seemed distant, but is now my reality.
My Plans For The Future And Getting Ready For Working in Japan
Soon, I will be living and working in Japan, so I am dedicating myself to improving my Japanese as much as possible. I will be studying keigo for my job and revisiting the grammar rules I’ve learned.
My first personal goal is to show my gratitude to my family by taking them on a trip across Japan. They have supported me from the very beginning of this journey, and it wouldn’t feel right to experience it alone. I hope to give them the best trip of their lives and, perhaps one day in the future, be able to live together in Japan.
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: How to Prepare for Your Japanese Company Interview as a Foreign Worker
For many foreign talents, the interview stage is one of the most exciting yet challenging parts of the job-hunting journey in Japan. Unlike in other job interviews, Japanese employers often evaluate candidates on more than just technical skills. Communication ability, motivation, and long-term commitment to working in Japan are all important factors during the interview process. Here are some tips to help you prepare!
Being Fluent in Conversational Japanese is a Big Plus
While high proficiency in Japanese is not always needed, being fluent in conversational Japanese is a big advantage when it comes to acing Japanese job interviews.
Many of our successful candidates find that having conversational Japanese language ability helps them understand interview questions more accurately, and in turn, they are able to express ideas more confidently as well. This helps create a stronger impression with interviewers!
Prepare Thoughtful Reverse Questions for Interviewers
Many Japanese companies provide candidates with an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview. Preparing thoughtful questions demonstrates genuine interest and professionalism. And remember: avoid asking questions that can easily be answered by reviewing the company website.
Some of the questions our successful candidates ask include:
- What training opportunities are available for new employees?
- What qualities help employees succeed at the company?
- What are the team’s current goals and challenges?
Be Familiar with Japanese Interview Etiquette
Professional behavior is important throughout the interview process. It starts from the moment you enter the room to exiting the room. Here are some things to note:
- Arrive early for online or in-person interviews. Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the job interview starts. For in-person interviews, knock first and wait for the interviewer to say you can go in before entering the room. Upon entering the room, greet all people and wait to be seated.
- Dress professionally. Make sure your attire is wrinkle-free and neat. Grooming is equally important! Check for a detailed guide on what to wear for job interviews.
- Listening carefully before answering. If you’re not sure what the interviewer said, don’t be shy to ask again. Clarifying rather than answering blindly is better!
- Stay relaxed. Many successful candidates share that they felt nervous before their first Japanese company interview experience. The key to staying relaxed is preparation. Mock interviews, repeated practice, and familiarity with common interview questions can help build confidence.
