8 karma · joined December 14, 2010
1. An introduction/recommendation by someone from the inside trumps everything. Before even handing in a application, get to know a person from the company that you are going to apply into, preferably someone in a high position. If you went to a Japanese university (especially a high-ranking one), a professor's recommendation is basically gold. At the very least, any employee's introduction (even non-management) will get you past the HR filter and most likely give you the first interview directly with an engineer, where your various social faux pas will be forgiven.
2. Engineering skills aside, employers are concerned about 2 things: a. How good is your Japanese? b. How long are you going to stay in Japan? How you answer b. is up to your judgment, but you have to be straight-up honest with a. If you ever had any doubts about your Japanese (as I have), just be up-front about it. No sense in bullshitting, as they will figure you out by the first interview anyways. On the other hand, if you did a lot of prep, you will surprise them and exceed their expectations.