Is your dream to work in Japan? Then it’s important to know how to apply for jobs in Japan! As a Malaysian, there are aspects of the Japanese job market you need to understand to make the right moves.
Understand the Japanese Job Market
Before starting your job search, it’s crucial to understand the unique aspects of the Japanese job market.
Types of Jobs Available:
- Fresh Graduate Market: For those under 26 years old with less than three years of full-time work experience. Many companies hire graduates in bulk, focusing on training new employees.
- Mid-Career Market: For professionals with more than three years of experience, typically between 26-29 years old. Companies seek candidates with specific skills, often requiring at least N3 Japanese proficiency.
What Japanese Companies Value:
- Loyalty: Companies prefer employees who plan to stay long-term.
- Eagerness to Learn: A willingness to learn and adapt to Japanese work culture is highly valued.
- Alignment with Company Vision: Understanding and aligning with the company’s goals is crucial.
Polish Your Resume (Rirekisho and Shokumukeirekisho)
Japanese companies expect job applications in a specific format, often requiring two types of resumes: the Rirekisho (general resume) and the Shokumukeirekisho (detailed work history).
Rirekisho:
- Contains basic personal information, education, and employment history.
- Keep it simple and chronological.
Shokumukeirekisho:
- Details your professional experience, skills, and achievements.
- Emphasize any relevant experience, internships, and technical skills.
Tips for Writing a Japanese Resume:
- Use formal and polite language.
- Include a professional-looking photo.
- Ensure your resume is error-free, with no typos or grammatical errors.
Prepare for the Job Search
Preparation is key to a successful job hunt. Here are some important steps:
- Learn Japanese:
- Language skills are crucial, even for technical jobs. While N3 is often sufficient for engineering roles, N2 or N1 is preferable for non-technical positions. Take classes, join language exchange groups, and practice regularly.
- One of our successful candidates had to say about his journey before getting a job in Japan: “My lack of confidence made it difficult for me to express myself and answer the questions properly. I realized that I needed to work on my speaking skills, so I decided to practice speaking with a Japanese intern from AtoJ. Through consistent practice, my speaking gradually improved, and I performed better in the second interview, advancing to the second round.”
- 【Find out if you qualify for FAST OFFER International’s free language classes here! 】
- Research Companies:
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- Understand the company’s culture, vision, and job requirements.
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- Align your skills and experience with what the company values.
- Sign Up with Recruitment Agencies:
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- Consider working with agencies like FAST OFFER International, which specialize in placing foreign talent in Japanese companies.
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- Recruitment agencies can help with resume writing, interview preparation, and connecting you with potential employers.
- Take Care of Yourself for the Long Journey Ahead:
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- Job hunting success does not happen overnight. You need to be prepared for the journey by taking care of yourself physically and mentally so you can confidently approach the interviews.
- One of our successful candidates explained her job hunting: “Physical and mental health is very important. Job hunting is a long-term battle, so I think you should take good care of yourself so that you can continue.”
Start Your Job Search
Job boards and websites
With your resume polished and your language skills sharpened, you’re ready to start applying for jobs using job boards and websites.
However, be wary that looking for jobs on your own without an agency might put you in the same talent pool as local Japanese applicants. In that case, interviewers will expect you to presently have a work visa or speak perfectly fluent Japanese.
A lot of job opportunities in Japan are also exclusively available via recruitment agencies. You can expand your reach with the help of a Japan-based company actively partnered with Japanese companies.
Networking
Attend industry-related events, join professional groups, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn.
Networking can provide insider information and open doors to unadvertised job opportunities.
Ace the Job Interview
Japanese job interviews can be rigorous, with a strong focus on cultural fit and communication skills.
Malaysian VS Japanese Interviews
Japanese interviews are very different from the rest of the world’s interviews. One of our successful candidates described: “During the interviews, I noticed a significant difference between Japanese companies and those in Malaysia.”
| Malaysian Companies | Japanese Companies | |
| Number of interview levels | 1 | 2-3 |
| What they’re looking for | The right skill set and background | Former experiences, personal traits, trainability, and how employee will fit into work culture |
| Most important interview question | What skills do you bring to the company? | Why do you want to work for our company? |
Common Interview Questions:
- “Why do you want to work in our company?”
- “Why do you want to work in Japan?”
- “Can you tell us about your Final Year Project?”
- “How can you contribute to our company?”
- “What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?”
Interview Tips:
- Be confident, relaxed, and honest
- One of our successful candidates explained: “I tend to worry and become too tense for interviews but one good piece of advice I received was to just portray myself as who I am and this advice helped me to calm my nerves so much.”
- To help with unexpected questions during your interview, prepare the story of your educational and professional career.
- Practice answering questions in Japanese.
- Be humble, and emphasize teamwork.
- Show respect by being punctual, dressing formally, and following Japanese business etiquette.
- If you fail an interview, learn from your mistakes. Failure is part of success.
Mock Interviews:
- Consider practicing with a mentor or a recruitment agency that offers mock interviews to prepare for the real thing.
- One of our successful candidates said: “As soon I got the news, I scheduled mock interview sessions with my FAST OFFER International mentor. It was only supposed to be an hour, but I did two three-hour sessions with my mentor. They were extremely patient and helpful as they conducted the mock interviews, gave me corrections, and discussed with me the companies I was interviewing with. It was very rigorous, and every single second was very much worth it.”
- Another successful candidate: “I was able to successfully prepare for the interview based on the knowledge I gained from the mentoring sessions, which lasted more than an hour and taught me about interview preparation and company information.”
What happens after you sign the job offer
Once you’ve secured and signed your job offer to work in Japan, it’s time to Navigate Work Visas and Legal Requirements. You will have time to get your requirements as you will be scheduled to join the company months to a year from your contract signing. After which, you will have to start Preparing for Life in Japan as a Malaysian.
Conclusion
Landing a job in Japan as a Malaysian expat requires preparation, persistence, and adaptability. By understanding the Japanese job market, getting the right support, refining your application materials, and honing your language skills, you can successfully secure a position and start a fulfilling career in Japan. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or embrace a new cultural experience, Japan offers numerous opportunities for growth and success.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the steps Malaysian expats need to take to successfully apply for jobs in Japan, from understanding the job market to preparing for life after the move.
