Preparing for a Japanese Job Interview: Mindset, Values & Culture Tips for Engineers

2025/05/13

The Right Mindset for Foreign Engineers Seeking a Job Change in Japa

Today, I’d like to share some important insights for foreign engineers who are considering changing jobs in Japan. To summarize it simply: In Japan, mindset, values, and compatibility with the company are more important than skills alone. A job change is an opportunity for personal growth—and the key to success is thinking about what value you can offer the company.

1. Mindset Matters More Than Skills in Japanese Companies

If you’re a foreign engineer thinking about building your career in Japan—thank you! As a Japanese person, I’m truly happy and grateful for your interest.

One of the most important things to understand about working in Japan is the mindset. In many Western countries, changing jobs frequently is quite normal. You might even switch jobs every year or two. However, in Japan, the concept of lifetime employment still strongly exists. Japanese companies generally expect you to stay with the company for a long time after you join.

In this context, your attitude and mindset are valued more than your technical skills. Companies look for candidates who are eager to commit long-term and who make an effort to understand the company’s mission and goals.

What matters isn’t just what you know but how you think and act when faced with challenges. Japanese employers evaluate your problem-solving approach and your mindset just as much as, if not more than, your technical expertise.

Job hunting in Japan should not be treated like apartment-hunting or simply looking for the highest salary. Instead, see it as an opportunity for personal growth. This approach will help you build a meaningful and successful career.

It’s also important to understand that job changes are about matching, not just wanting to do something. It’s a two-way relationship—just like marriage. You want to do certain things, and the company is looking for certain people. The best outcomes come when both sides align.

2. Two Types of Japanese Companies: Startups vs. Large Corporations

Broadly speaking, Japanese companies fall into two categories: startups and large corporations. The type of company you choose will greatly influence the work environment, expectations, and the kind of person they’re looking for.

Startups
These are usually younger companies with younger teams. The work culture tends to value flexibility, adaptability, and a strong desire for growth. Remote work and flexible hours are often available. On the flip side, these companies might not offer long-term stability, and the fast-paced, ever-changing environment can be exhausting. Before applying to a startup, ask yourself: “Am I someone who thrives in a dynamic and demanding environment?”

Large Corporations
Traditional large companies in Japan still embrace lifetime employment and offer very high job stability. This can be a huge plus if you’re thinking about marriage, raising a family, or settling down. However, the corporate culture may include elements that are unfamiliar to many foreigners, such as seniority-based promotion systems and hierarchical structures. These companies look for candidates who can build strong relationships with supervisors and colleagues within a structured environment.

There is no “right” choice here. What matters is your personality, values, and current life stage. Choose the type of company where you believe you can work with passion and purpose.

3. To Get a Job Offer, Show the Value You Bring

It’s not enough to say what you want to do. You need to clearly explain how you can solve the company’s challenges.

In Japanese job interviews, what sets candidates apart is not just skills, but the ability to answer the question: “How can you contribute to our company?” If you only say “I want a higher salary” or “I want to work remotely,” you will likely fail to make a lasting impression.

Understand the company’s challenges and show how your past experience can provide solutions. Think from the employer’s perspective. Align your motivations with their needs and show genuine empathy for the company’s mission and values.

Many foreign engineers I’ve spoken to often say they’re applying because their skills match the job requirements. While this is important, it’s only the baseline. Saying “My skills match your needs, so I’m applying” is not enough to succeed in the Japanese job market.

What really matters is understanding why the company is looking for someone like you. Hypothesize about their needs and prepare to explain what specific value you can bring. Show that your strengths align with their problems, and explain this clearly in your interview.

4. Key Points for Your Motivation Statement

When writing or speaking about your motivation to join a company, keep these two things in mind:

• How can you contribute to solving the company’s problems?
• How much do you truly empathize with their mission and values?

Once both sides understand each other well, that’s when a successful match and a job offer will happen.

The three key elements in a successful job search are:

1. Mutual understanding
2. Identifying points of connection
3. Demonstrating your problem-solving ability

Always think altruistically—that’s the key mindset. If you simply focus on your skills, without considering what benefit you bring to the company, the hiring manager will have a hard time understanding why they should hire you.

Of course, wanting a better salary or work environment is totally natural. That’s okay! But if that’s the only reason you’re changing jobs, you’re missing an important part of the process.

You also need to ask yourself: What benefits can I offer to this company?
When you think this way, you’ll be better prepared to answer questions like “Why do you want to work here?” in a clear and compelling way.

In a future post, I’ll share some concrete examples of altruistic motivation statements, but here’s a quick preview:

• “Based on my experience doing X, I believe I can help solve your company’s issue with Y…”

5. Self-Analysis: The Key to a Successful Career Change

Clarify your strengths, values, and aspirations

Self-analysis is one of the most essential steps in preparing for a career change. By clearly understanding and articulating your strengths, values, and what you truly want to do, you can present a much more compelling reason for your application during interviews.

While it’s important to think about how you can contribute to others, focusing too much on being selfless can lead to sacrificing your own goals — which defeats the purpose of changing jobs. That’s why reflecting on your true motivations is so important.

Steps for Effective Self-Analysis:

1. Understand Yourself
   Reflect on your past experiences and identify your strengths, weaknesses, and personal values. Start by writing them down to organize your thoughts clearly.
2. Look for Patterns
   When you review your experiences, common themes and motivations will start to emerge. These patterns create a sense of consistency in your story and help you understand what drives your passion.
3. Put It into Words
   Once you can clearly explain your values and goals with consistency, you’ll speak with greater confidence in interviews. Employers will also be more convinced of your fit with the company.

Improve Your Match with the Right Company

By expressing what you really want to do and what matters to you, your alignment with the company’s values becomes clearer — increasing your chances of getting an offer. Make sure you can explain all of this confidently in Japanese.

Explain Why You Want to Work in Japan

Many people say they want to work in Japan because they love Japanese culture. However, employers want to know more. Can you explain why you want to work in Japan — even after understanding its unique corporate culture? This is a critical question you should be prepared to answer in your own words.

Think Beyond Yourself: How Can You Contribute?

Of course, it’s okay to want better pay or work-life balance. But don’t stop there. Always consider how your experience can add value to the company. This mindset is important not just in the job search, but also in Japanese workplaces, where teamwork and mutual contribution are highly valued.