Wabi Sabi Journey: My Imperfect Path To Landing Job In Japan

Lessons From A Japanese Friend: Wabi Sabi & Kaizen

One of the biggest reasons why I became interested in Japan was because of a friendship with a Japanese exchange student who studied at my school in India. He was very kind and always gave me a new perspective whenever we talked. While we were talking about Japanese culture, what left the strongest impression on me was the unique Japanese ideas of wabi-sabi (the practice of finding beauty in imperfection) and kaizen (being committed to continuous day-by-day progress). 

After I learned about these Japanese concepts, I read a book called Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life to learn more about Japanese culture. The concept, which comes from Japanese aesthetics, gave me a fresh perspective on how to live and approach life’s challenges. 

From my perspective, Japan is not only rich in culture but also technologically advanced and a leader in AI technology — the field I am currently studying. I was eager to learn about the cutting-edge AI technology in Japan, while also gaining insight into its unique approach to innovation and problem-solving. This became a strong motivation for me to study the Japanese language. 

How I Continued Studying Japanese Despite Being Busy 

I started learning Japanese through the Hirameki program at Pune University. After each session, I also worked together with friends to review the lessons and practice Japanese. Every day, I practiced writing kanji. I would memorize new Japanese words and phrases by writing them in a notebook and using them in sentences.  

Although some Marathi-speaking learners say that Japanese is easy because the grammar is similar to Marathi, in my experience, learning Japanese is not that easy, and I had to put in effort. On top of my Japanese classes, I also had my university studies, so balancing both was challenging for me. It was a very “Wabi Sabi journey” — imperfect, but beautifully meaningful!  

Here are five ways I managed to study Japanese effectively: 

1. Set a fixed time to study 
   • To balance university studies and learning Japanese, I set a routine. I studied Japanese in the morning, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., before going to school. This gave me at least two hours a day to study. Since most Hirameki classes were in the evening, I could also review and prepare during the day. 
2. Study with friends 
   • At Hirameki, I met many other students learning Japanese. We practiced conversation together by choosing topics. It’s hard to find native speakers to talk to, but practicing with friends helped me improve my practical speaking skills. 
3. Use apps to study 
   • Japanese requires memorizing many words. I used apps like Ankidroid and Akebi to study efficiently. 
4. Find a favorite podcast 
   • I practiced listening by using Japanese podcasts. I especially liked Miku’s podcast. I made it a habit to listen before bed. It helped me learn native pronunciation, speaking style, and vocabulary. 
5. Find a role model who speaks Japanese 
   • When I studied Japanese, I admired the way my teacher at Hirameki spoke. Her Japanese was very polite and gentle. I wanted to speak like her, and that became one of the reasons I kept studying. 

FAST OFFER International Expanded My Career Options 

At the end of my first year at university, I found a flyer introducing FAST OFFER International. That’s how I learned about the program. 

Although I initially considered working in India, the country’s large population made it difficult for fresh graduates like me to find opportunities where I could fully apply my skills. Since I already had an interest in Japan, I decided to attend a student session led by seniors who had joined FAST OFFER International. One of the seniors shared about how he landed a job with a Japanese company through this program. Their story made me feel that working in Japan could be a real option, and it gave me motivation to apply to the program as well.

Interview Preparation: How I Did Company Research  

Shortly after applying to FAST OFFER International’s program, I got an invitation for a job interview with a Japanese company. Naturally, I began preparing rigorously. With valuable guidance from my mentor, I began researching the company in depth. 

One of the things I focused on was understanding the company’s projects and thinking about how I could contribute. I also visited the company’s website and learned about projects I found interesting. Finally, I watched videos of the CEO on YouTube. These helped me a lot during the interview to talk through topics smoothly. 

In Japanese job interviews, there’s a unique practice called “reverse questions”, where the interviewee is expected to ask the company thoughtful questions. Since I was particularly interested in the company’s AI projects, my extensive research paid off, and I was able to ask meaningful, relevant questions. 

This experience taught me that the more research you do, the more confident and prepared you feel, and the more engaging your interview becomes. It was my first interview conducted entirely in Japanese, so I was incredibly nervous. But when I got the call from FAST OFFER International saying I had passed, I was overjoyed. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. 

As a cherry on top, I also learned that another senior from my university (Bannari Amman Institute of Technology) is already working at the same company where I got the job offer. Knowing that someone from my hometown is working abroad gives me a lot of confidence that I’ll do well! 

Working in Japan — You Can Do It, Too! 
To everyone aiming to work in Japan, I want to share two messages: 

First, don’t give up. Be patient. Remember the concept of Wabi-Sabi — the journey will be imperfect, and you may face setbacks, but the results will be worth it! At first, working in Japan may feel like a dream that’s far away. But if you keep working hard on your studies and continue learning Japanese without giving up, I believe a path will open for you. 

Second, trust the mentors at FAST OFFER International. They give clear advice and recommend companies that match your background. In my experience, they support you all the way to getting a job offer. 

You may feel anxious or rushed during your job search. But I believe the best and fastest way is to stay calm, be patient, and do your best in what you can do now. 

FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: How To Apply The Japanese Concept Of Wabi Sabi In Your Career

Wabi Sabi is a philosophy that centers on appreciating the value and beauty of imperfection and impermanence. Although the philosophy is rooted in art, it goes beyond aesthetics. Here are ways you can also apply it in your career journey.

Accept That Your Journey Will Be Imperfect

Success doesn’t happen overnight. For many of our successful candidates, reaching their goals took dedication, practice, and persistence. Learning wasn’t easy or linear. Fluency and confidence came only after consistent effort and overcoming setbacks. You can expect challenges along the way, and that’s perfectly normal. Progress isn’t about perfection — it’s about resilience and growth. At FAST OFFER International, your mentors are here to guide and support you through every step of the journey.

Focus On Improvement

Working in Japan as a foreigner might sound daunting, but adaptability is key. Familiarizing yourself with a new environment and the cultural nuances will be part of your imperfect journey. Whenever you face a setback in your career, remember to focus on improvement rather than aiming for perfection. Sometimes, improvement may come from trial and error. Every misstep is an opportunity to learn, refine, and move forward. Check out stories of successful candidates who are thriving in Japan for inspiration.

Embrace Your Uniqueness

In your career, embracing your unique talents, skills, and even quirks is essential to understanding the value you bring to the table. Equally important is recognizing your limits and boundaries. Don’t think of it as weakness but rather as a guide for growth.