How a Trip to Japan Sparked My Career Journey
It all started with my love for anime, which constantly fueled my thoughts of one day visiting Japan. However, at that time, I had never considered studying Japanese and how it could open up dream job opportunities. Eventually, in 2019, I finally embarked on my long-awaited trip to Japan with my family. We spent two weeks exploring major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, indulging in Japanese cuisine such as sushi. It was during this trip that I first felt the desire to work in Japan.
Considering the economic aspect, Japan isn’t just a technological leader among developed nations; the salary for engineering positions in Japan is three times higher than for similar roles in Indonesia, making it an attractive country for me. This led me to t.
The First Step To Unlocking Dream Job Opportunities in Japan Is to Study Japanese
I attended Japanese language classes at my university, progressing from zero to N3 level. ASIA to JAPAN’s FAST OFFER International program, in collaboration with my university in Indonesia, offers free Japanese classes every year. These classes span a year, with two-hour sessions held four times a week. At the beginning of each term, about 120 students enroll, but as time goes on, the number dwindles, until only 30 students usually complete the course.
For me, studying Japanese has never been easy, especially mastering kanji and conversation. Since my native language uses the alphabet, learning to write kanji has been particularly challenging. Additionally, as I don’t have any Japanese friends around me, I rarely get to practice speaking, making conversation even harder. Still, I persevered because Japanese ability is a necessary skill for working in my dream country. There’s only one way to get a job opportunity in Japan: it’s to study Japanese.
Honing Japanese Interview Skills and Other Job Search Challenges to Secure a Job Opportunity in Japan
Looking back on my job search, I applied to around seven companies and underwent more than ten interviews. I faced various challenges, such as poor internet connections and interviewers being unsatisfied with my answers, leading to multiple rejections. However, I never gave up and continuously worked on my Japanese interview skills.
My diligence paid off. Due to my efforts, I was accepted by a renowned company dealing with printing machines. My earlier experience attending a printing machine exhibition in Indonesia sparked my interest in the company from the start. Given my major in metallurgy and materials engineering, I believe my knowledge and skills in 3D design played a decisive role in my success.
Thriving in Japan with Support from Fellow Indonesians
Moving forward, I hope to adapt to Japanese society with the help of my friends and seniors, while supporting each other and enjoying life together. Fortunately, I grabbed hold of this precious opportunity of this job in Japan alongside my friends thanks to my community and learning Japanese. Soon, we will be joining the many other Indonesians in Japan. Together, I hope we can uphold the defining characteristics of Indonesian culture: unity, cooperation, and mutual support. This would be extremely vital as we navigate a completely foreign terrain.
Having friends to back me up during this learning period, I am sure will be helpful!
Over the next six months, I plan to focus on improving my conversational skills, honing my programming abilities, and gaining practical experience through internships.
A Blueprint for Indonesians Looking to Work in Japan
What I want to convey to my juniors is that before starting to learn Japanese, they should clearly define their goals. If securing a job in Japan is the aim, then prioritizing conversational skills over passing qualification exams is a more efficient approach.
After reaching the N3 level in my Japanese class, I learned about ASIA to JAPAN’s FAST OFFER International program which supports foreign students in securing jobs in Japan.
I can’t recommend FAST OFFER International more as it helped me achieve my dream through their streamlined process.
How my application process with FAST OFFER International happened:
- I registered into their system. I filled out basic information and uploaded my Final Year Project (FYP) and JLPT score certificates.
- I was interviewed. I received an interview invitation from the staff to discuss my preferences.
- I was trained for the companies that shortlisted my bio. After being selected by a company, mentors conducted several thorough mock interviews before the actual interview. You’ll be well-equipped by the time you face your prospective employers.
- I got the job offer. I passed the final interview. The second interview with the company is usually the last round before getting the job offer.
For other juniors still on the fence, here are some more reasons why they have my stamp of approval:
- Participation in Japanese interviews is free of charge, with all travel expenses, insurance, and hotel accommodations covered.
- It offers the opportunity to interview renowned manufacturing companies like Yamaha or Panasonic. You can find the long list of big Japanese companies they’re partnered with on their site.
- Mr. Sanpei, the CEO, often visits Indonesia and is highly regarded among Indonesians.
