Engineering career opportunities in Japan for Indonesians
New engineering career opportunities keep opening up for Indonesian mechanical engineers. This is because of the continuously growing manufacturing and robotics industry in Japan, coupled with its shrinking Japanese population. There’s really so many reasons for Indonesian mechanical engineers to choose to work in Japan. Here, we focus on the experience-backed advice of our successful Indonesian mechanical engineers on how to work in Japan.
Indonesian Mechanical Engineers on Pursuing Your Dream of Working in Japan
Push through the hard times!
- Don’t let opportunities pass!
“I’m the type not to let great opportunities pass! I’m the type to embrace the odds, join contests, get a second degree, and make the best of every opportunity that comes my way. Now was not the time to miss out. How could I say “No”? It was simply in my nature to say “Yes”!
Read more: From Aerospace Engineering to a Job in Japan: Making Every Chance Count
- A supportive community can help you through hard times.
“The resilience to overcome these setbacks came from a supportive network of friends who shared this journey.”
Read more: Embarking on a Japanese Adventure: An Indonesian’s Career Journey in Japan
- Be kind to yourself!
“Embrace self-compassion amidst adversity, as it fuels the belief in reaching your goals despite obstacles. Persist, and the path to your aspirations in Japan will unfold.”
Read more: Embarking on a Japanese Adventure: An Indonesian’s Career Journey in Japan
- Motivate yourself with what interests you about Japan.
“When revising the Japanese materials, I would watch videos about Japanese traditions to get motivated. This aroused my desire to work in Japan and continue to learn Japanese. I even explored my hobby of origami making! I’m able to make swordsmen, angels, and other famous origami figures, based on designs by origami artists.”
Read more: Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities Beyond My Home Country
- Stay humble as you keep learning in every step of the journey.
“My favorite Japanese term is shoshin (初心). Even if you are experienced, you must think as if you are still a learner. That is how we keep running, growing, and becoming experts in that field.”
Read more: Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities Beyond My Home Country
Don’t give up!
- Your mechanical engineering degree gives you an edge.
“Having a mechanical and aerospace engineering degree, and real experience building my designs, helped attract companies to my profile.”
Read more: From Aerospace Engineering to a Job in Japan: Making Every Chance Count
- Be brave and don’t be afraid to fail.
“Don’t be afraid of failure. Chase your dream!” Read more: Studying Abroad at Tohoku University to A Career in Japan
- Keep moving forward.
“…if you are keen on working in Japan, please keep going and do not give up! Even though there are ups and downs, you must keep moving forward.”
Read more: Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities Beyond My Home Country
- Don’t do it alone!
“The process with FAST OFFER was transparent and simplified, providing detailed information about job opportunities, including aspects often obscured in typical job searches, such as salary details. Furthermore, FAST OFFER offered comprehensive mentorship and Japanese language classes to enhance my conversational skills, crucial for overcoming my lack of practice since high school. This support was instrumental in navigating the job-hunting process, transforming what seemed complicated into a manageable and straightforward path.”
Read more: Embarking on a Japanese Adventure: An Indonesian’s Career Journey in Japan
Indonesian Mechanical Engineers on Learning Japanese
- Start learning Japanese early so you can start working right after graduating.
“In Indonesia, it’s not common for companies to hire fresh graduates, but in Japan, they do. Learning Japanese could allow me to work at a high-level company in Japan.”
Read more: Studying Abroad at Tohoku University to A Career in Japan
- Being an Indonesian gives you an edge at learning Japanese. Take advantage!
“There is an advantage to being an Indonesian learning Japanese though! We’re very quick to adapt to new pronunciations. We are very flexible with pronunciation, and it helps a lot with speaking skills—which is arguably the most important skill you’ll need to secure a job in Japan.”
- Find a learning style that fits you
“Reading books written in Japanese or watching anime is a better approach for me. I get to study and have fun at the same time. I enjoy reading Japanese novels and using a dictionary to look up words I don’t know. Everyone has their own learning style! You can find yours by following what interests you. Even if your study style might be unusual, seeing it work is what matters.”
- Take FAST OFFER International’s Japanese Classes Seriously!
“Starting from zero, I learned enough Japanese to take on Japanese interviews in just eight months thanks to these classes.”
Read more: From Aerospace Engineering to a Job in Japan: Making Every Chance Count
- Cultural immersion is key to getting the rhythm of Japanese.
“I immersed myself in the language by replaying and analyzing mentoring sessions and engaging with Japanese media. This rigorous approach eventually paid off, as I noticed significant improvement by my third interview.” Read more: Embarking on a Japanese Adventure: An Indonesian’s Career Journey in Japan
Indonesian Mechanical Engineers on the Japanese Job Interviews
Prepare, practice, and keep improving!
- Brush up on Keigo so you can express your respect for your interviewers.
“I studied extensively about the four companies I interviewed with and practiced speaking using Keigo.“
Read more: Studying Abroad at Tohoku University to A Career in Japan
- Practice with your FAST OFFER Career Advisor.
“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.”
Read more: The Surprising Key to Their Mechanical Engineer Career in Japan
- Smile! A Pleasant personality during the interviews can go a long way.
“..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.” Read more: The Surprising Key to Their Mechanical Engineer Career in Japan
- Learn from your experiences, especially your failures.
“With the previous experience, I studied harder, memorized the Japanese technical terms, attended the mock interview practice, and researched the company. My interest in the company deepened the more I researched.” Read more: Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities Beyond My Home Country
Show your passion for the industry!
- Japanese companies prize passion.
“The most important thing is that the Japanese want to see how much you want to work with them, so show them how excited you are to work with them!”
Read more: Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities Beyond My Home Country
- Express your long-term commitment to the job to show you’re worth the investment
“…most Japanese companies are highly tuned into your level of commitment. These globalizing companies choose future employees that promise a return on investment. That’s why Japanese job interviews really look into your reasons and aspirations for your career. They often ask about your long-term vision for your career with them or your 5 or 10-year plans. You can also see that as a great thing: when looking for a job in Japan, it’s almost often for a dependable, long-term job. As for me, I can easily imagine five more years and then re-evaluating my trajectory.”
- Your student track record can reflect your passion on learning new skills as mechanical engineer.
“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.”
Read more: The Surprising Key to Their Mechanical Engineer Career in Japan
Indonesian Mechanical Engineers on Choosing the Right Japanese Company
- Research the Japanese companies well.
“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.”
Read more: The Surprising Key to Their Mechanical Engineer Career in Japan
- Your company research will tell you which opportunities to pursue and prioritize.
“…[My company research] 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.”
Read more: The Surprising Key to Their Mechanical Engineer Career in Japan
Imagine your life with the company
- Choose a company you can align with.
“… choose a company you like and share a vision with. If this shows in your interview, which is easier if you’re familiar with their product, it will make it much easier for you to succeed and later adapt.
- Choose a company you see a future with.
“I compared what they were manufacturing, how big the company was, the location, and the position offered. After much thought, I chose the company with the bigger career growth potential, manufacturing items I’m more interested in, and was located somewhere I hadn’t seen before. There, I’m sure, I’ll be able to use my degree in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering to my advantage.”
Read more: From Aerospace Engineering to a Job in Japan: Making Every Chance Count
More tips for Indonesian graduates to work in Japan from FAST OFFER International Experts
The best time to start your journey to Japan as a mechanical Engineer is in your college years so you can start job hunting before you even graduate. To learn more on how to land a mechanical engineering job in Japan, FAST OFFER International’s experts have even more tips!
- For mechanical engineers exploring this path to Japan: What are requirements for mechanical engineers in Japan? Read How to Land A Mechanical Engineering Job In Japan. To hear from mechanical engineers from all over the world on why they chose Japan: 12 Reasons to Work in Japan as a Mechanical Engineer. If you want to read their experience as a mechanical engineer working in Japan, read How to Work in Japan As an Indonesian: An ITB Alumni’s Road to a Vibrant Life Working in Japan’s Automotive Industry
- Indonesian Japanese learners: You can find an appropriate free Japanese class through FAST OFFER International who has partnered with a lot of local Indonesian universities. Or, if you’re going for our worldwide online Japanese classes that start at N4, here’s a JLPT N5 Study Plan For Beginners: A Self-Study Guide
- Indonesian job hunters: For a general guide on job hunting for Indonesians, check out Jobs in Japan for Indonesians – The Only Guide You Will Need or drill down on how to get a Japanese work visa at Visa Kerja Jepang Untuk Orang Indonesia | Japan Work Visa for Indonesians: A Step-by-Step Guide
