2018年08月20日
After I graduated, I was looking for a job in Japan. I did not expect that job-hunting would be that difficult. However, I finally got a job where I can contribute using my knowledge and skills.
I had my graduation ceremony at the end of March. After graduating, I still worked for about 1 month at the factory, but because I had to go to the US, I quit from my part-time job. I said to the managers that I might go back there again after coming back from US, but I was not sure. If I could not find a permanent job by the time I finished my summer research, then I would go back there again. So, I went to the US, which is also known as the land of freedom. This country is filled with people from various backgrounds, who go there in a pursuit for a better life. I was fascinated with the academic culture where we can freely talk and discuss about our research with supervisor and colleagues. All of us in the research group were also close with each other, and often hanged out together. This kind of culture is not so easy to be found in Japan. I learned many things there, not only the scientific things, but also the cultural aspects.
After finishing the program, I came back again to Japan. I still could not find a job by that time, so I went back to the meat factory, and started to do part-time job again. Every night after work, I was looking for any job opening online, making CV (rirekisho). That time was not the season for job-hunting, but I still held my hope high. Based on my friends’ recommendations, I went to Osaka Employment Center for Foreigners (Hello Work) at Umeda, Osaka. There was one lady, named Harumi-san, who can speak English and helped me a lot to make a proper CV and to practice for interview. I felt like I was already in the right track to land a job.
Finally, I got called for an interview at a chemical manufacturer. I practiced for interview with Harumi-san, and practiced again by myself many times at home. The interview day finally had come. I was interviewed with one person from HR, and two people from R&D. They asked question that I did not prepare, and what was worse, I did not even understand the question. After the interview finished, I found out that they actually asked if I had experience in organic synthesis. Even though I could understand the question at that time, the answer would be no, and would still lead to the same result. I felt so stupid and hopeless after the interview. I asked myself again why I was doing all of this in a foreign country, where I looked stupid because I did not understand the language.
Despite all that, I did not give up easily. After a few more attempts, I got a hope from a cosmetics manufacturer based in Osaka, which I found from interview fair held by Hello Work. The job opening was for international sales position. They were looking for someone with business to native level English skill, and background in science would be an advantage. I thought that I am quite suitable for the position, so I applied and crossed my fingers again.
The first interview went well, although I could not do the written test very well. Then, they called me for the second interview with the President (Shachou). To my surprise, the interview went smoothly, and Shachou even said I do not need to worry about my Japanese skill, because I would need to mainly use English in my job. I felt a bit relieved, although I knew I still have to study Japanese more. Not long after, probably even on the same day, they called me for the 3rd interview with the founder (Kaichou). I was very excited and knew if I have reached this step, then most likely everything would go alright. As expected, the interview went well again although I could not understand everything that Kaichou said. Even so, I could feel the atmosphere and knew that everything was going well. Finally, I got a call from them that I was accepted to work there, and I could start working soon after getting a working visa. All these hard works for finding a job finally paid off. I found a company with a job that suits my background, along with nice coworkers.
Before I realized it, it has been around 6 months since I started work in this company. So far, I have been to Singapore and France for business trip. I am so happy with these many opportunities to grow. With the trust given to me, I became even more devoted to give back to the society using the knowledge and skills that I have. After all that I have been through, I know that it is not easy, but I hope everybody can find their ‘niche’ in life, which allows them to give the best version of themselves back to the society.
For the future, I would like to gain more experiences in my current work field. There are so many things to explore, and still many rooms for improvement. I will also continue studying Japanese because I want to communicate better with my coworkers. Not only for my work life, but I also need Japanese in my daily life outside work. After all, I will do my best to adjust to this new “shakaijin” life!
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