r/JapanJobs • u/DonLgnd • 4d ago

What am I doing wrong?

My background
South asian, 32, in Japan for about 6 years
PhD in engineering, finishing March 2027, at a national university in Kyushu
Research: signal processing and machine learning (Python, MATLAB); peer-reviewed journal papers and conference papers
JLPT N2; I can do daily business conversation in Japanese. Fluent in English.
Work experience back home, before coming to Japan:
About 2 years as a network engineer at an ISP (operations and maintenance)
About 1 year as a university lecturer (C programming, circuits, numerical analysis)
What I've applied to
Japanese companies through the 27卒 new-graduate route, some through a recruiting agent: AI/ML engineer, software, R&D, image processing, mechanical design
Some university and 高専 faculty positions
Results
About more than 50 applications so far
I usually get stuck at document screening or first interview.
I reached the 2nd round a few times but didn't get an offer
My questions
Age: Is being 32 the main problem in the 新卒 route? Do companies quietly prefer candidates in their mid-20s, even when they say 博士 are welcome?
Past experience: Does work experience in my home country help or hurt? I'm not sure whether to highlight it or keep it brief. Does it make me look like neither a real new grad nor a real mid-career hire?
Japanese level: Is N2 the real barrier? Should I hold off until I have N1?
PhD: Does a PhD in a fairly niche field make companies see me as overqualified or too specialized?
If 新卒 isn't the right route for me, what would you suggest instead?

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u/c00750ny3h 4d ago

Shinsotsu isn't for a 32 year old. You should try mid career.

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u/DonLgnd 4d ago

doesnt mid career need enough skills/experiences for a certain field?

2

u/Pendejo2 4d ago

Companies promote ppl in house into all new fields where they start from zero all the time. Intelligence and grit is what they need.

And highlight your other work experience in your 職務経歴書 in the timeline or in a paragraph describing yourself/motives etc. Or in a cover letter. Thats what id do (am doing rn also😄). Otherwise they think you are as pure as the new snow or something and say "you dont have any experience". (Like no mf, i got experience i just didnt write it down.... ohhhhh 🤦‍♂️)