My Onsite Interview Experience in Japan as an International Engineering Graduate 

The Reasons I Pursued Electrical Engineering 

Before I got to experience interviewing onsite in Japan as an international engineering graduate, I first put in a lot of work and discernment.

First of all, I noticed that most of my peers went for courses like IT or computer engineering. I wanted to do something different.

Another reason I chose Electrical Engineering is due to the importance of electricity. It is something we encounter in our daily lives, and is used everywhere from cars to household appliances. Because of its wide use, working with it guarantees job stability. Plus, it’s a path that can positively impact people’s lives, because if we lose electricity, everything in the world will stop.

My final reason for choosing Electrical Engineering as a major is simply because I thought it would be pretty easy. At school, I easily understood the formulas. I thought that it would be no different in college. I was clearly very wrong. There was much more to it – complicated formulas and parts that required critical thinking. Despite this, I fell in love with it. 

Though I struggled, I am very happy with my decision!

My Introduction to Japan Through Geography 

As a teenager, I had geography classes. Here, I first learned about earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, and how the country dealt with these occurrences. How could a country, even after such disasters, manage to work its way up with technology and be so futuristic? This started to intrigue me, so I began to do my own research.

I learned about Japanese culture, people, and food, which I particularly loved. The things I learned made me realize that I wanted to visit someday.

Immersing in Japanese Media during the Pandemic 

When the lockdown hit, I found myself with much more time on my hands. I used this time to do more research about Japan. I also started to get into anime – my favorite, as a sporty guy myself, was Haikyu! Watching other sports anime have me a glimpse into school life in Japan. 

Other Japanese media I consumed were 4k quality walking videos on YouTube. I could appreciate the weather and the scenery through these videos.  

With the amount of anime I watched daily during the lockdown, I slowly started to understand the language. Reading the subtitles, I was starting to be able to associate words together. However, once we had to go back to campus, I had to shift my focus to academics again.  

Meeting FAST OFFER International in College 

At the end of my second year in college, a teacher introduced me to the FAST OFFER International program. The teacher mentioned that there were classes that would allow me to learn Japanese formally. I was prioritizing academics at this time, so I did not apply.  

I encountered FAST OFFER again after a couple of years. They had an MOU signing with our college. I initially attended for extra credit, but grew interested in applying after hearing about what FAST OFFER brought to the table aside from the language classes. Through FAST OFFER, I learned about possible careers in Japan, a possible next step after learning the language. Later on, my friend ultimately asked me what I wanted to do before graduation – an internship with other companies? Or learn Japanese with FAST OFFER International?  

I chose the latter. 

Learning the Language and Choosing to Work in Japan 

I joined the FAST OFFER program early this year and started formally learning Japanese. Though I already had prior knowledge of the language, here, I began to feel that I was truly learning and understanding it.

To practice even more, I started to talk with Japanese people online. They seemed pleased with their life in Japan. These conversations, my intrigue with Japanese culture, and the beautiful scenery from the 4K walking videos I watched, made me realize that living in Japan might feel great. It made me realize that I had to work there.

Receiving Guidance from FAST OFFER International 

After 6 months of learning Japanese, I chose to continue to take more classes with FAST OFFER. It was also during this time when I started to attend mock interviews with the senseis. They taught us everything we needed to know to ace interviews with Japanese companies. Eventually, I was invited for an interview with FAST OFFER. I passed it, which meant that I could now start accepting job interviews from companies!

My First Interviews 

I received my first interview offer a few months after graduation. Unfortunately, I did not pass. I worked hard to prepare for it, but in the end, I think my Japanese level was not up to par.  

As a result, I studied Japanese more, focusing on vocabulary and my listening comprehension skills. However, it would take another five months for me to receive more interview offers.  

Before those five faithful months passed, I was already thinking about giving up on Japanese. I felt that I was waiting for too long, and that perhaps it just wasn’t meant for me. I still studied Japanese daily, but I exerted more effort into studying for a future in Business Administration.  

I was preparing for the BA exams when I received a message from my mentor. She told me that two companies wanted to interview me in Japan! I thought that, finally, after everything I had to give up, my time had finally come. 

My onsite interview experience in Japan as an international engineering graduate 

My First Time in Japan 

It was like a dream. From my bedroom one day to Japan the next, I could not believe what was happening to me. Everything happened so fast. Though it was my first time flying, I had such a pleasant experience. The air felt great, the people were very helpful, and the environment was surreal. 

Even though I had been travelling for more than 10 hours, I did not really feel tired. Experiencing new things for the first time, I did not have the time to be tired.  

Preparing for the On-Site Interviews 

I practiced a lot for this round of interviews. Aside from the usual mock interviews, I ramped up my company research. I refined my answers to possible questions, such as ones about my final year project, my motivations for joining, and my family’s opinion on my job search. Reviewing possible technical questions was also key to answer technical knowledge required for the job, and Japanese terms for our field’s jargon. 

I simply memorized all my answers at first. But as I practiced, I started to know them by heart. I began to understand the meaning and feeling behind each answer I gave.

Passing my On-Site Interviews 

I then interviewed with two companies. The first round of interviews happened in the morning, and the second round happened a few hours later. By evening, the companies were ready to share the results.

As we were taking photos, my mentor called me over. She asked if I would be okay with joining a company next year. From this, I got an inkling that I had passed – but I did not want to jinx it, so I thought nothing of it. After around 10 minutes, she returned and told me that I had officially passed!

I was in complete shock. I gasped for air and asked if she was kidding. Her confirmation made me break down in tears.

Though I passed both companies I interviewed with, I decided to join the one with a later start date. Since it is a bigger and more established company, I feel that I will be staying with them for a long time.

Looking Forward to Life in Japan 

Before moving to Japan, I want to attain my JLPT certifications. I want to keep practicing my Japanese, especially reading and writing in kanji, before anything else. I’m still wondering if I should take further classes, though, because I want to have some time for myself. After the grueling preparation for interviews, I want to enjoy a bit by exploring India or meeting my online friends.

I did not get to explore Japan much when I was there, so I am looking forward to that. There’s so many places to like the SkyTree or the top of Tokyo Tower. I am, of course, also excited to start working.

I have my reservations, still. The role will require me to manage and work with a lot of people. Outside of work, I might find it difficult to get used to my new lifestyle. However, I’m sure things will work out because I will make sure to prepare for it well.

Tips for Language Learners and Aspiring Workers 

For Japanese learners like me, the best way to learn the language is by speaking to a Japanese person. Even if it’s broken Japanese, it doesn’t matter. You learn while talking to them. Take note of the way they speak, their pronunciation, and tone. Then, you start to understand. As for textbook Japanese, practice is the way to go.

For interview takers, my advice is not to think of it as an interview. When you get pressured by the weight of the interview, you end up jinxing it and saying things you don’t mean. So, change your mindset to help you focus. Think of it as a conversation with someone you just met. Tell them about yourself, what you like about the company, your opinion on things, and the like. 

Flying to Japan was not easy, because it was full of firsts. However, now that I’m pretty familiar with the process, I have more confidence. I’m going to undergo everything again next year, and more, and I just can’t wait!

FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Tips for Onsite Interview Experience in Japan for International Engineering Graduates

Having the opportunity to take your Japanese job interview onsite as an international engineering graduate can give you an edge versus online interviews. Getting to smile and make eye contract can really be a game changer! However, there are some things you need to take note of:

1. Dress right! Interviews are all about presenting yourself. Making sure your outfit is clean, neat, and professional can help your chances. Read more about that here: Japanese Job Interview Attire: Dress to Make the Best First Impression 
2. Master Japanese Etiquette! Learning Japanese manners specifically for interviews can give you quite an advantage. It shows you’re willing to make the effort to cross the cultural barrier and will help you land a great first impression. Japanese Etiquette for Job Interviews: A Step-By-Step Guide  – arriving on time, phrases to remember, and other Japanese manners to mind during the interview.
3. Smile and make eye contact! Your personality matters for this interview. Your interviewers are gauging if you’ll be pleasant to work with. Smiling and making eye contact are a great way to show just that.
4. Relax into your preparations! “Be calm” is an impossible thing to simply do when there is a lot on the line. Instead of thinking of it that way though, have faith in all the preparation you did. Trust that your hard work will pay off and you’ll be able to navigate your way easier.

Here are more career guide articles about Japanese job interviews to check out:

• How to Get Hired in Japan: 9 Job Interview Green Flags
• Top 9 Tips to Level Up Your Japanese for Job Interviews
• Understanding Japanese Companies’ Mindset at Job Interviews