Early Years in Japan Shaped My Future
Many years before I was aspiring to work in Japan as an engineering student in Universitas Indonesia, I was enjoying my childhood in Japan.
I spent five years of my life from the age of two to seven in Saitama, Japan, because my father went to graduate school at Saitama University. Attending a typical Japanese kindergarten and elementary school, I remember in first grade being scolded by a schoolteacher for throwing stones with my friends in the clog box. I even had plans to skip my summer homework. In winter, I played in the snow with my friends at the park and in the schoolyard. I really feel that I was blessed with the people around me at that time. At home, I spoke Japanese with my brother and Indonesian and Japanese with my parents.
Because I spent my formative years Japan, and it was my first language rather than Indonesian. I naturally adapted to Japan’s language and culture, and it kept me from feeling like a minority.
It was difficult when I returned to Indonesia. The language barrier was so big that I stayed in Japan for a year. I also experienced a great deal of culture shock. In Indonesia, we sometimes eat rice with bare hands, and since I was used to eating with a spoon and fork in Japan, it took me some time to adjust.
From Universitas Indonesia to a Working in Japan
Even after returning to Indonesia, I did not forget the Japanese language because of anime.
Since I was still a small child, I wanted to come back to Japan and study there, but I wanted to be practical and go to Germany, a country with even more advanced technology to help my computer Science Major. With this goal in mind, I began studying German since my sophomore high school year. I found it difficult to study a language from scratch though, and the coronavirus outbreak made it problematic to study abroad.
Although studying abroad at that time, felt like it was out of the question, I still wanted to work abroad at least. So did my best studying at Universitas Indonesia, while thinking to myself, “I only have one shot at this life, so I want to experience other cultures!” Thinking of the skills I did have to that cause, I decided to find a job in Japan.
Universitas Indonesia Alumni Made a Life-Changing Introduction: My Journey with FAST OFFER International
I found out about FAST OFFER International through an introduction by a senior student at Universitas Indonesia. Once I registered with them, it made an enormous difference.
It was difficult at first because the interview style at Japanese companies is vastly different from that of Indonesian companies. For example, Indonesian companies ask a lot of questions about your skills during the interview, while Japanese companies ask about your personality and what you have worked hard for.
I had several mock interviews with my FAST OFFER International mentor before the interview. Still, I made a lot of mistakes at first. I learned from a YouTube video on “interview tips” that Japanese companies look at a person’s potential during interviews. This helped me improved the way I answered the questions. Also, company research and self-analysis were difficult. However, I had an advantage in Japanese, so I was confident.
After about a month, I got a job offer. When I passed the interview, I couldn’t believe how quickly things happened! I was ecstatic about my success. What added to my joy was that of all the companies I interviewed for, I got the offer from my original first choice.
My Career Aspirations in Japan and Beyond
I’m excited to work for my company even if there’s a lot of uncertainty about what exactly I’ll be doing. After joining the company, I think I will work in a position related to programming but I haven’t decided what exactly yet. However, I would like to work once as a manager of some project. My goal is to build up my skills and experience there, and in the future, I’ll start my own business in Indonesia.
Tips for Indonesian Job Seekers in Japan
Learning Japanese is extremely important when finding work in Japan as an Indonesian. It goes beyond just studying in class, even if it’s a good school like Universitas Indonesia. When you study a language, in this case Japanese, use it a lot and absorb it. If you don’t speak the language and use it, you will not know how to respond in a conversation. It is a good idea to find friends who are studying Japanese and practice together.
Also, be honest with your employers, and more importantly to yourself when job hunting. Choose the job you want most without compromise. It is okay to reject offers for jobs you don’t want to do. If you want a job that best fits you, then you need to put your real self out there.
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Please do your best!
