Daijob loves to celebrate success stories. Today we’re talking to Priyanka Paranjpe, an Indian bilingual Digital Marketer who turned a high-stakes job hunt into a thriving career in Japan. Her journey—marked by a brave pivot during the pandemic, a race against the clock, and a brilliant, bold move at one of our career fairs—is a powerful testament to the rewards of persistence and the value of bringing a fresh perspective to a Japanese company.

The Spark: Omotenashi and a Scholarship in Japan

Interviewer: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today, Priyanka. To start, many of our readers are curious about the spark that first drew you to Japan.

Priyanka: Thank you for this opportunity! I had always loved Japan and I was learning Japanese for fun. But then I got a scholarship to attend summer school in Hiroshima University in 2015. Attending the school, learning deeply about the Japanese culture, and traveling around made me take a definite decision to work in Japan. I found the principle of Omotenashi—the customer-first approach—very appealing, and that’s where the spark to pursue marketing here was ignited.

The Early Challenges: Osaka-ben and the Pandemic Pivot

Interviewer: Once that goal was set, you moved to Japan. What was your first job here, and what were the immediate challenges you faced?

Priyanka: I landed a role as a technical content editor in Osaka. I was confident with my N2 Japanese, but once I arrived, I found my co-workers were speaking Osaka-ben! I had an incredibly hard time understanding anything. On top of the language barrier, moving and handling logistics—housing, banking, phone service—was very difficult to manage alone.

Just as I got used to life in Osaka, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. My company eventually shifted its business model, and my career goals no longer aligned. I made a major mistake: I quit my job before finding a new one and shifted to Tokyo to look for opportunities, leaving me in an incredibly high-pressure situation with low funds and a ticking clock.

The Make-or-Break Moment in Tokyo

Interviewer: You had to prepare yourself to potentially return to India. Can you describe the intensity of that job hunt?

Priyanka: The intensity was overwhelming. I was going through every single job portal, constantly tailoring my resume, and writing unique 志望動機 (reason for applying) for every company. With no source of income, bills that needed to be paid, and the pandemic meant no easy way to network, I genuinely felt the fear of defeat; I was ready to go back to India if I didn’t find something soon.

⭐ Expert Tip: Master the Shibō Dōki. Don’t use a generic template. Tailor your Statement of Purpose (志望動機) to show specific passion and fit for each company. This is crucial for your job search in Japan.

The Turning Point: Creating an Opportunity at the Career Fair

Interviewer: What was the turning point? How did Daijob’s Career Fair change everything?

Priyanka: The turning point was hearing about the Career Fair. I saw it as my last shot. In the career fair got a chance to interact with the HR representative from my current company directly. I didn’t hold back; I discussed my potential and straight away asked for a job. I thought it might just be tatemae (polite formality), but they actually followed through! They invited me for an interview the very next day. After a rigorous series of written tests and interviews, I finally secured my current role! That moment meant everything—it meant I could continue my career and life here in Japan.

🌟 Daijob Career Fair is an event where bilingual job seekers can meet and talk with corporate HR representatives directly! It is conducted 4 times a year in Tokyo.
Check out the next event : Daijob Career Fair

Navigating the Selection Process: Written Tests and Interviews

Interviewer: The Japanese hiring process often involves unique steps like personality tests. Do you have any insights on these selection hurdles?

Priyanka: I had to go through a personality test. I didn’t know how to tackle it, so I decided to simply answer truthfully instead of inventing a personality to please the company. That strategy helped! It allowed the company to accurately match me to the specific responsibilities where I would genuinely thrive.

Nikkei Kigyō vs. Gaishikei

Interviewer: That’s fantastic. You secured a role in a Japanese company (Nikkei Kigyō). Why did you choose this environment over a foreign company (Gaishikei)?

Priyanka: I’ve always liked the Japanese way of working, especially the customer-first Omotenashi approach. Professionally, being a foreigner amongst my Japanese colleagues makes me stand out effortlessly! I can add a fresh perspective, bring out-of-the-box, non-Japanese solutions, and promote speedy decision-making.

Crucially, many Japanese companies focus not just on “what can you do?” but on “what do you want to do?” They look for your hidden potential and create new roles for you, which has enabled me to become much more skillful and receive MVP awards twice in three years.

⭐ Expert Tip: Value Your Unique Perspective. Don’t hide your background. Your non-Japanese viewpoint is a powerful asset. Be bold with out-of-the-box ideas; Japanese companies often value this fresh perspective.

Why Use Daijob for Your Job Search in Japan?

Interviewer: You actively used several platforms. Now that you’ve secured your role, what sets the Daijob platform apart for international professionals trying to get hired in Japan?

Priyanka: The Scout feature is fantastic. Recruiters reaching out to you directly helps you apply for positions you might have missed. I also highly recommend the blog, the Global Career Guide. I got excellent tips for the entire job-changing cycle—right from creating a resume to preparing for the interviews.

What If I Fly?

Interviewer: Your story is a powerful testament to persistence. Do you have any final advice for other bilingual professionals job hunting in Japan?

Priyanka: My final advice is this: Never give up. Never be shy away from asking for an opportunity to show your talent—you need to create opportunities for yourself.

Learn about local business practices, adapt to the culture, but critically, don’t lose your unique perspective. Be bold to put out those out-of-the-box ideas. My mantra through all the uncertainty was:

Never think, What if I fall? Always think, What if I fly?!

Take Away

Priyanka’s journey shows that success in the Japanese job market demands persistence, strategic adaptation, and the courage to create your own luck. By utilizing the Daijob platform, being truthful in her applications, and embracing a culture of continuous learning, she successfully navigated a challenging market. Use her advice to turn your own high-pressure job hunt into a victorious job search in Japan.