Dream Career in Japan Reignited: A Japanese Language Program Ad Changed My Path
I started studying Japanese when I was in high school. At the time, I watched a lot of anime and was very interested in the Japanese language. I studied Japanese for about 6 months in high school classes. I aimed to pass N5. However, entering University and getting busy studying for my Mechanical Engineering career paused my goals for Japan. Also, the reason why I am interested in majoring in Mechanical Engineering is because of my love for technology and science, which I got inspired by through the anime Dr. Stone, as well as my desire to get a career opportunity working in Japan after graduating from college.
One day, while I was decompressing and scrolling through Instagram on my bed, I came across FAST OFFTER International’s advertisement for a Japanese language class program at the University of Indonesia. I researched FAST OFFER International and thought, “I might be able to work in Japan too!” This inspired me to study Japanese urgently.
From there, I participated in online Japanese language classes at the University of Indonesia for six months. I patiently studied Japanese until my Japanese conversation skills improved to a level where I could interview in Japanese. By typing Japanese words using a computer, I succeeded in memorizing a lot of useful Japanese vocabulary for interviews by relating my body and vision to English learning.
Setting Goals for My Mechanical Engineering Career in Japan with FAST OFFER International
After that, I had an interview with the FAST OFFER International staff. I told them my goal: to be a design engineer because it was my forte. I’d sharpened my skills through experiences designing products with programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, AutoCAD, and SOLIDWORKS, through my previous internships and graduation projects. My experience showed me that designing physical products through programming languages is something I enjoy and excel at.
Japan was the perfect country to fulfill my dream. In Japan, opportunities for design engineers are more abundant and better treated than in Indonesia. Plus, in Japan, work is stable, and living is safe.
Landing My Dream Job in Japan with the Help of FAST OFFER International
Finally, with enough Japanese and getting on the same page with FAST OFFER International, I got to participate in interviews with Japanese companies.
Four Japanese companies interviewed me online. During the interviews, I answered questions about my personality and thesis project in Japanese. I got to answer them well because I practiced repeatedly with my mentor at FAST OFFER International.
One of the interviews ended with the interviewer asking me about any concerns or questions I had about the company. At the same time, the company expressed interest in me, which gave me a positive impression of the company.
On my 22nd birthday, I got quite a memorable present: the job offer that would launch my dream career as a design engineer in Japan!
Working in Japan as a Design Engineer: Excitement for the Future
I hope to work as a design engineer in Japan for many years. I want to be just like my father who worked for one company until he retired. My father’s example rubbed off on me: one of my most important values in life is to be loyal. The Japanese system of lifetime employment fits my values perfectly. I was able to join this company by chance, and I want to make sure I maximize this opportunity and be a top-notch engineer for them.
Interview Advice from an Indonesian Graduate: Smiling is the deciding factor for success.
Here are three tips for your success in job interviews with Japanese companies.
- Keep smiling.
In fact, charm is very essential in interviews with Japanese companies. In other words, you can make a good impression on the interviewer by going into the interview with a smile on your face. This was a point that I was praised for during the mock interview session with mentors at FAST OFFER International.
In Indonesia, smiling at superiors and people you meet for the first time is considered a virtue. This will come naturally for Indonesian students wanting job opportunities in Japan! Therefore, even if I was nervous during the interview, I was able to smile throughout.
When interviewing with Japanese companies, try to smile and make a humble impression. You can practice interviewing in the mirror, making sure to smile and speak with confidence!
- Thoroughly research about the company you are interviewing with.
FAST OFFER International can provide you with a lot of information about the company you are interviewing with. You’ll learn about the salary, working conditions, company size, business, famous products, etc. I read carefully and did my research on the company. In addition, I also searched the Internet for company reviews and ratings to get a more worker-oriented view of the company.
This information helped me determine which company was the best fit for my career, which company matched my values, and what I would be able to accomplish at the company. In interviews with Japanese companies, you have to show how well you understand the company and how you can contribute.
- Speak clearly and simply
As my mentor told me, it is effective to pronounce clearly when speaking at an interview. Also, practice speaking simply using simple words that you know. Speaking at length in advanced Japanese just because it is an interview, the interviewer may judge you as illogical.
By practicing many different approaches to interviewing, such as mock interview sessions with FAST OFFER International and practicing while looking in the mirror, you should be able to go into your interview smiling confidently!
