My Experience of Joining a Japanese Tech company - @GFIT Inc.
"You Never Know Unless You Try"
While searching for a job, I faced significant challenges due to my lack of industry experience and limited Japanese language skills. Most of the Japanese companies seemed to prioritise these factors, which made the process quite difficult. However, one company stood out to me because their advertisement mentioned that people who don't know Japanese could still apply. This caught my attention, and I decided to give it a try.
From the moment I joined, I realised that this Japanese company truly values talent above all else—they don't concern themselves with your past industry experience or language skills. Despite being a Japanese company, they focus on nurturing potential, which made me feel incredibly welcome.
One of the things that pleasantly surprised me was the global culture within the company. There are many international faces, and communication is primarily in English. This not only made it easier for me to integrate but also allowed me to appreciate the company’s inclusive approach.
Starting from the hiring process to joining the company, I have not used a single Japanese word. Even from the first day, everything was explained to me in English only and not only foreign nationals but almost every team member can communicate well in English.
That said, to embrace some aspects of Japanese work culture, simple phrases like "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu 「よろしくお願いいたします。」" which is used to express "nice meeting you" and "Otsukaresamadesu「お疲れ様です。」" when leaving the workplace before your colleagues are commonly used. These small gestures helped me better understand and respect the cultural nuances in the workplace.
All the team members make you feel comfortable and understand each person's personal obligations and other limitations. Being a new member, I have received active support not only to adjust with the environment but also guidance to get started with the project I have been assigned with.
Overall, my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. The company’s open-mindedness and global outlook made my transition smooth and allowed me to contribute effectively, despite the initial hurdles. Companies like GFIT are the ultimate satisfaction for the people who want to prove themselves and are facing language challenges.