As a child I grew up watching Anime. Later when I passed high school, I was introduced to Japanese by my aunt who herself is Japanese language teacher. I started learning Japanese language in 2015. While learning the language, it was not only language specific, but I got to know about all aspects of Japan. The more I got to know about Japan, the more I fell in love with this beautiful country and wished to travel to Japan and if possible, would like to work after my graduation. I was learning Japanese language as a hobby; but later in the last year of my Engineering I got to know about the “FAST OFFER International Program (formerly Study Go Work JAPAN Program)” from my Sensei and I enrolled in the program immediately. I visited Japan for interviews first time back in December 2018, but I did not pass any interviews in the December 2018 round. ASIA to JAPAN offered me second chance which was in April 2019, but even then, I was not able to crack any of the interview. As I failed twice, I was on the verge of giving up on the dream of working in Japan. I was then offered third chance which was my last chance in June 2019. This was the one where I was finally selected by the company, I am currently working in. Thanks to ASIA to JAPAN for always supporting. My Selection Process: The first step was to pass the screening interview with Mr. Sampei (ASIA to JAPAN’s Admin). This interview was basically to check my fluency in Japanese language, whether the research topic and the reason for working in Japan meets the criteria described for an individual who wishes to work in Japan. I also had to send a PR video to ASIA to JAPAN. The PR video was basically to give first impression of an individual; As we all know that first impression is the last impressions. I made the PR video very precisely including all aspects and manners an individual must possess when he/she will be working in Japan in the later future. The PR video mainly included self-introduction, research topic explained in short, and you can include more information, but keeping it precise and short.

After I passed the screening test, I was assigned a mentor (Mr. Kanbara), who helped me in understanding the working conditions of each company with whom I would be taking interviews. My mentor helped me in all possible ways right from how to give self-introduction during interviews to up building my resume and conversational Japanese skills. The mentor sessions proved to be very helpful as I was invited by 5 companies to have interview with during my first chance. Preparing for the interviews: One must start preparing for interviews right from the moment they apply for Job interviews. And as the interviews are conducted in Japanese; preparation beforehand is a must to convey our thoughts properly to the interviewers. The main questions revolve around our research topic, personality and the focus are on how does the individual thinks and reacts to the questions. Interview process: The whole process is divided into 3 days, we’re on day 1 you appear for the interviews with all companies by whom you are selected. At the end of day one, you receive emails from ASIA to JAPAN staff whether you have been selected for the next round. Day 2 is the second round of interviews and mostly the final round. If you are selected you receive the offer letter there itself, or sometimes some companies give the offer letter later during the company visit, which was in my case. Day 3 is the company visit, ASIA to JAPAN staff accompanies you halfway to make sure you are safe and fine. The company visit is mainly to know how company the is and note the location and take into consideration various things later when you will be working. You are also given a day free when you can travel, look around Tokyo and shopping and a farewell party is later hosted by ASIA to JAPAN which was fun.