Hello,
Welcome to Happy Life Japan!
This site operates with the motto of “increasing the number of foreigners who can live happily in Japan.”
Today, I’d like to share some information about finding employment in Japan.
I conducted a survey with a Filipino friend of mine and their colleagues.
I hope this will be helpful for those of you considering working in Japan.
1. Why did you decide to work in Japan?
“I wanted to experience working abroad, and the salary is better than my previous job.”
Salary is an important factor, isn’t it?
I’ve also heard that many Filipinos seek job opportunities overseas.
I’m so happy you chose Japan.
2. What industry are you working in, or have you worked in?
“IT & Telecommunications”
It sounds very specialized!
I imagine working styles in this field can vary depending on the company, but was your work environment flexible?
3. What was the most appealing aspect when you were searching for a job in Japan?
“Actually, I didn’t search at all. It just kinda happened. Through luck, I guess.”
I believe luck is also a kind of skill!
4. What did you focus on when preparing for interviews, and how did you present yourself?
“Well, I knew the interview would be in Japanese. So I focused on practicing my Japanese to express the key points I wanted to communicate, including my self-introduction, background, and the work I had done up until that point.”
That’s true. Employers often ask about your job history and achievements.
It’s a good idea to anticipate common questions and prepare answers in Japanese.
5. What kind of support did the company offer (such as visa procedures, housing arrangements, or language assistance)?
“Regarding the visa, they handled it for us. We just submitted the necessary documents. Also, housing was provided for free, and we had three months of language training where we only focused on learning Japanese.”
It’s great that the company offered visa support.
Did you live in company housing? That kind of environment allows you to focus on both studying Japanese and work. It sounds like a wonderful setup.
This kind of support can be quite important, depending on the company.
6. Were there any aspects of Japanese corporate culture that surprised you or that you found difficult to adapt to?
“I guess how serious people are during work. I wasn’t used to that. In my culture, it’s okay to interrupt your coworker for a chat anytime. So I wasn’t expecting the quietness.”
Indeed, Japanese people often seem unapproachable when they’re working.
I remember being a little surprised when Thai coworkers casually chatted with me while I was working there.
Still, good workplace relationships significantly contribute to happiness, so I think casual conversations are important.
7. Do you want to continue working in Japan? Why or why not?
“Working in Japan was an awesome experience, and I loved working there. But to follow my dream, I decided to stop working altogether. If I had to work again, I would definitely choose to work in Japan.”
So you returned home to pursue your dreams. That’s wonderful.
As a Japanese person, I’m proud that you speak so highly of your career in Japan.
8. How do you think your experience in Japan has influenced your career?
“I guess I had a pretty good and stable career in the IT field, but I’ve since retired from that career, so it doesn’t really matter anymore. However, I would say that working in Japan definitely gives a big boost to your resume.”
It makes me happy to hear that your career in Japan added value to your resume.
9. What advice would you give to other foreigners who are considering working in Japan?
“Just try it. You might like it, or you might not. But you’ll never know if you don’t try. Life is all about experiences, after all. Also, it’s better to practice your Japanese before coming.”
That’s true; having strong Japanese skills is always an advantage.
Working abroad can be challenging, but I sincerely wish success to all the foreigners preparing to work in Japan.
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