| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor of Computer Science, SRM Institute of Science and Technology |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese manufacturer that handles logistics systems and automated warehouses. |
| SUMMARY |
| Driven by a deep passion for Japanese culture, this student from India dedicated herself wholeheartedly to learning the Japanese language and preparing for interviews. Despite the challenges and setbacks along the way, she never gave up. Instead, she embraced each difficulty with courage and determination. To level up her Japanese skills, she got creative and taught her own family Japanese as a fun and effective way to reinforce her learning. The journey was far from easy for this candidate. Though it’s stressful at times, it’s also filled with excitement and growth. What truly made a difference was the professional support and guidance she received from the FAST OFFER International team. With their help, her dream became a reality, and she was able to secure her ideal job in Japan. This is more than a success story. It is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the power of passionate support. |
How Japanese Resilience Inspired My Career
My job hunting experience that led my career path from India to Japan began in an unexpected place: my high school history class. It was there that I first learned about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I was deeply moved by the tragedy, but even more so by Japan’s remarkable recovery.
Despite facing such devastating events, the country not only rebuilt itself but also emerged as a global leader and became one of the most highly developed nations in the world. That resilience left a lasting impression on me. As I explored more about Japanese culture, I found myself drawn to Japan-related vlogs and documentaries. One video featuring a ramen craftsman dedicated to their art with extraordinary discipline and passion stood out to me. I was captivated by the depth of culture, precision, and pride in their work. That moment sparked a deeper interest in Japan and inspired me to start learning the Japanese language.
By the time I reached my third year of university, I had made a clear decision — I wanted to work in Japan.
Taking A Step Towards My Dream: My Job Hunting Experience
In the beginning, my family was worried when I told them about my plan to move and work in Japan. Their concern was understandable considering the distance between India and Japan. However, I was able to convince them by sharing my reasons, such as how safe and convenient Japan is to live in. After putting my family’s mind at ease, I resumed my job hunting and learned about the FAST OFFER.
I heard about the FAST OFFER International program through my seniors who had joined it and successfully secured jobs in Japan. Inspired by their experiences, I visited the website and registered for the program.
After passing the screening process, my friends and I joined FAST OFFER’s free Hirameki Japanese class. Thanks to the support and guidance from our sensei, I became more self-assured when speaking Japanese. I still remember how I lacked the confidence to interact with my sensei and classmates in Japanese. But as I started it speaking more, I was able to learn the language quickly and effectively.
How I Learned Japanese As An Indian
To improve my Japanese listening skills, I regularly watch YouTube vlogs and Japanese dramas. I also enjoy watching anime with my sister, and we often practice speaking basic Japanese together. These small, everyday interactions make learning feel natural and enjoyable.
In addition, I have friends who share the same goal of working in Japan. We often use our free time to practice speaking Japanese together, creating a relaxed and supportive environment that helps us all improve.
I’ve also explored various language learning apps to strengthen my vocabulary and grammar. One fun moment was when I connected with a well-known Instagram influencer on HelloTalk. Although we only exchanged a few greetings, it was still a memorable and motivating experience!
Two unconventional, fun ways I learned Japanese
To make my Japanese learning journey more engaging, I came up with two fun and effective methods that helped me stay motivated and consistent.
- Sticky Note Method. Whenever I come across a new word, I write it on a sticky note and place it on my wall. On weekends, I review all the new words. Now, my room wall is full of colorful sticky notes that remind me of how far I have come.
- Teaching My Family Japanese. Another method I enjoy is teaching my parents ten new Japanese words every day. These include daily greetings and simple vocabulary. It is a joy to see them slowly understand Japanese. Now, when I ask them to pass me the remote control or give me my phone, they understand and respond. I hope that by the time they visit me in Japan, they will be able to use some basic sentences.
My biggest challenge in learning Japanese? Kanji
I’ve also identified one of my biggest challenges in learning Japanese: memorizing kanji and using the correct intonation and pronunciation. To tackle this, I started using flashcards. I discovered that focusing on more difficult kanji actually helped me retain them better. It also allowed me to understand their meanings in context and recognize patterns that connect different kanji characters.
It might not be the most conventional method, but it works well for me, and it’s made a noticeable difference in both my reading and comprehension skills.
Going To Japan For Job Interviews
Once my Japanese was sufficient for job hunting, I officially became a candidate. My FAST OFFER mentor told me that many companies are interested in my profile, so I was sponsored to travel to Tokyo to attend the interviews. I’m so fortunate to have this opportunity!
It was my first time in Tokyo
After watching countless videos about Japanese culture and daily life, finally visiting Japan felt surreal. Tokyo looked exactly like what I had seen online, but being there in person allowed me to notice and experience things I had never known before.
For example, at convenience stores, I was surprised to see how items on display trays automatically moved forward when the front one was taken. It may seem like a small detail, but it showed how thoughtful and efficient the systems in Japan are.
One thing I truly did not expect was how intense the summer felt. Even though the temperature was around 30 degrees Celsius, it felt much hotter and more humid than in India. It made me realize that the climate can feel very different even at the same temperature, depending on the location.
My Job Hunting Experience: Interviews are stressful but exciting!
After the initial excitement of finally arriving in Tokyo, I was quickly reminded of the main reason I had made the journey from India to Japan — to begin my first-ever job hunting experience. Preparing for four interviews was a mix of stress and excitement, but it also pushed me to become more organized and focused.
I began by researching each company’s profile in detail and crafting mock interview questions tailored to the specific roles. To manage everything efficiently, I categorized my preparation into two types of questions: common interview questions and role-specific ones. I then summarized key points and reusable answers, which helped me stay focused and save time.
Among the four companies, there was one I was especially excited about, so I dedicated extra time to preparing for that interview. Luckily, this strategy paid off. Not only did it help me perform well in that particular interview, but I was also able to reuse parts of my answers in the other three.
It did not go as planned, but it worked out in the end
The interviews with the three other companies did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. Even though I gave my best, one of the companies was looking for someone with a higher level of Japanese proficiency. On top of that, the internet connection during some of the online interviews was unstable, and I had trouble hearing the questions clearly. Everything felt messy and frustrating.
As a result, I did not make it past the first round with those three companies. But there was a silver lining; I successfully moved forward to the next round with my favorite company on the second day. That moment gave me hope and motivation to keep going! My best mentor from the FAST OFFER International program provided me with full support to increase my chances of being selected by my favorite company.
During the interview, I learned that my favorite company offers fresh employees flexible opportunities to work in different departments. This will definitely help me develop both soft and hard skills and make my work life there exciting and diverse. I was also able to confidently answer common interview questions as well as some unexpected questions about my final year project.
When I was informed on the second day of the interview week that I had been selected by my favorite company, I was overjoyed and felt incredibly lucky. I shared the great news with my family and friends, and they were surprised and happy for me.
Tips to Succeed in a Japanese Job Interview From My Job hunting experience Going From India to Japan
1. Be clear about your goals. Before anything else, be sure about what you want to do and prepare accordingly. Determination and focused preparation make a big difference.
2. Know yourself first. Understanding yourself is even more important than understanding a company’s profile. Ask yourself: What is my main goal? What are my strengths and weaknesses? What kind of person am I, and how can I contribute to the company? Being self-aware helps you communicate your value with confidence.
3. Connect your strengths to the role. Research common interview questions and think about how your skills and personality align with the position. Tailor your answers to show how you’re a good fit.
4. Ensure a smooth online interview experience. If your interview is online, make sure your internet connection is stable. A smooth interview setup helps you stay calm and professional.
5. Show genuine interest in the company. Ask thoughtful questions that reflect your enthusiasm. For example, I asked about opportunities for new employees to join ongoing projects, requested more details about something I read on the company’s website, and inquired about specific skills needed for a particular role. These questions showed that I was serious and motivated.
6. Practice with people you trust. If possible, do mock interviews with someone you’re comfortable with—your teacher, AtoJ mentor, family, or friends. Practicing builds confidence and helps you improve your answers.
7. Stay positive and resilient. In my Japanese learning journey, I always remind myself of the phrase 七転び八起き (Nana korobi ya oki) — “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” Challenges don’t scare me. I stay optimistic, especially when dealing with difficult kanji or correcting my pronunciation. Instead of giving up, I simply adjust my learning methods and keep going. I also applied this mindset during job hunting. I didn’t let three failed interviews discourage me. Instead, I learned from each one and gave my best in the final interview with my favorite company.
What’s Next? My Plans Before Moving to Japan
Before I move to Japan, I plan to ask my sister for anime recommendations. While I know anime might not always teach the polite way of speaking Japanese, I believe that watching anime will help me improve my language skills.
I will also keep looking for opportunities to speak with people from other countries who are learning Japanese. It’s a great way to encourage language exchange and connect with learners around the world.
In addition, I plan to self-study until I reach the JLPT N2 level. This will help me apply better Japanese skills when I start working in Japan. I’m so excited and can’t wait to go to Japan next April.
Once there, I want to visit Fujisan, start vlogging on my Instagram, and try a variety of Japanese foods such as sushi, oyakodon, and takoyaki.
I am so proud that I will soon be working in my dream country. Japan is safe, culturally respectful, and full of kind and helpful people. I also noticed some beautiful cultural similarities between Japan and India. For example, there are many temples in Japan, and visitors are expected to dress respectfully when entering them.
This reminded me of how, in India, we also dress modestly and traditionally when visiting temples. These shared values made me feel even more connected to the country.
Trip to Japan FAST OFFER Interview
The interview was conducted during the trip to Japan for the Japanese job interviews. Watch to learn more tips!
Watch and learn how this SRM Institute of Science and Technology graduate learned Japanese, how she prepared for the Japanese job interview, and her advice for students who are currently learning Japanese.
In this second interview, she reflects on her experience and offers practical tips for successfully navigating interviews with Japanese companies.
