How New Graduates Land IT Engineer Jobs With No Experience

Can new graduates with no experience become IT engineers? The answer is “yes — under the right conditions.”

According to estimates by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the shortage of IT professionals could reach as many as 790,000 by 2030, prompting companies to shift decisively toward a “hire and develop” approach.

This article uses publicly available data to walk you through the current state of the hiring market, how to choose the right role, how to prepare for the selection process, and what to do before your first day on the job.

1. The Hiring Market for New Graduate IT Engineers With No Experience Is a “Super Seller’s Market”

The new graduate IT engineer hiring market in 2025–2026 continues to favor students in what can be described as a strong “seller’s market.”

Companies that have found it increasingly difficult to secure experienced engineers through mid-career recruitment are pivoting to hiring inexperienced new graduates and developing them in-house.

The following sections put hard numbers to this trend.

Why New Graduates With No Experience Are Being Hired — The IT Talent Shortage Is a Structural Problem, With a Projected Deficit of Up to 790,000 by 2030

The shortage of IT professionals is not a temporary blip but a long-term challenge embedded in Japanese society.

According to METI’s “Survey on Supply and Demand of IT Human Resources,” the combined pressure of accelerating digital transformation and a shrinking workforce due to an aging population is projected to produce an IT talent shortfall of up to approximately 790,000 people by 2030.

Two underlying issues drive this outlook. First, corporate demand for IT capabilities is expanding at a rapid pace. Second, competition for experienced engineers has intensified to the point where mid-career hiring alone can no longer meet workforce needs.

This environment is accelerating a trend in which companies actively recruit and train inexperienced candidates internally.

Source: METI “Survey on Supply and Demand of IT Human Resources”

35% of Companies Fail to Meet Their Hiring Targets, Creating a Significant Opportunity for Students

Hiring market figures make the difficulty companies face abundantly clear. According to IT-sector private research (supplementary data), approximately 48.4% of companies conduct new graduate engineer recruitment.

Of those, roughly 40% report that they plan to increase the number of spots available for inexperienced candidates.

Meanwhile, around 35% of companies failed to meet their hiring targets for the class of 2025. In other words, companies are consistently in a state of “wanting to hire but unable to,” giving students the leverage to approach job hunting as selectors rather than the ones being selected.

Source: METI “Survey on Supply and Demand of IT Human Resources”
※ Data on unmet hiring targets and hiring volume trends is supplementary data from private research (Levtech “New Graduate Engineer Hiring Survey”)

Starting Salaries for New Graduate Engineers Are Rising Rapidly, With 250,000 Yen per Month Becoming the New Standard

The intensity of recruitment competition is also showing up in compensation.

According to Teikoku Databank’s “Starting Salary Trend Survey,” 67.5% of companies are considering raising starting salaries for fiscal year 2026, and monthly pay exceeding 250,000 yen is becoming the norm across many industries.

This trend is especially pronounced in the IT sector, with a growing number of companies offering first-year annual compensation exceeding 4 million yen to high-potential candidates.

Because this movement stems from a fundamental talent shortage rather than a temporary economic upturn, it is expected to continue going forward.

Candidates who prepare strategically in line with these hiring trends stand to secure competitive compensation from their very first year.

Source: Teikoku Databank “Starting Salary Trend Survey”

2. What Is an Inexperienced New Graduate IT Engineer? — Defining the Role and the Reality of the Work

When people hear “IT engineer,” they often picture someone who spends the entire day writing code.

In reality, that is only one part of the job. A look at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s definitions and occupational data reveals a profession where a wide variety of people can thrive.

Here, we break down the true nature of the profession using publicly available data.

IT Engineering Is “a Profession That Solves Problems Through Technology” — Coding Is Only One Part of the Job

The word “engineer” originally referred to someone who applies scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems — translated into Japanese as 技術者 (technologist) or 技師 (technical specialist).

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s occupational information site (job tag), an IT engineer (programmer) is defined as “a professional who writes programs based on designs created by a systems engineer (SE).”

Critically, this definition encompasses far more than writing code — it includes coordination with SEs, communication within the team, and quality assurance.

The essence of being an IT engineer, therefore, is not “writing code” but “using technology to solve business and societal problems.” The belief that you cannot become an engineer without coding skills is a misconception.

Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Occupational Information Site (job tag): “Programmer”

Even Inexperienced New Graduates Have Real Strengths — Because Verification and Quality Assurance Are Just as Central as Creation

The MHLW’s programmer occupational data makes it clear that engineering involves far more than writing code.

One particularly notable finding is that “operation testing” received the highest importance score among all tasks — 4.4 out of 5.

This exceeds the score for “writing programs (coding)” at 3.9, indicating that finding bugs and maintaining quality sit at the very core of engineering work.

Work Task	Performance Rate	Importance (out of 5)
Writing programs (coding)	100.0%	3.9
Operation testing	100.0%	4.4
Reviewing processing procedures based on detailed design	93.2%	3.7
Modifying and adding functionality to existing systems	100.0%	3.8
Grasping system overview from the SE	96.6%	3.9

What this data tells us is that succeeding as an engineer requires not only technical skill but also care, perseverance, and the ability to track down problems methodically.

These qualities can be developed through daily habits and approach to work, regardless of academic background or major. There is ample room for liberal arts graduates and those without prior experience to excel.

Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Occupational Information Site (job tag): “Programmer”

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3. IT Engineer Roles and Salary Ranges Accessible to Inexperienced New Graduates

Even within IT engineering, job content, salary, and required skills vary significantly depending on the role and industry.

If you feel uncertain about your programming skills or are a liberal arts student looking to enter a technical field, there are multiple roles where your existing strengths can shine. This section covers industry structure and salary benchmarks by role.

The IT Industry Is Broadly Divided Into “SIer / Contract Development” and “Internet Services,” With Different Salary Levels in Each

The IT industry divides broadly into two categories: “SIer / contract development” and “internet services.”

Neither is inherently superior — the right direction depends on the kind of work environment you are looking for.

SIer / Contract Development

This model involves receiving system design, development, and maintenance projects commissioned by client companies.

Compensation tends to increase the further upstream the work (requirements definition, basic design), and the role demands strong communication with clients, documentation skills, and team management ability.

Major SIers typically offer well-structured training programs, making them accessible entry points for those without prior experience.

Internet Services

This model involves planning, developing, and operating a company’s own services and applications.

These environments often embrace cutting-edge technologies, and engineers play a direct role in shaping the value of the product. This path suits people with a strong desire to go deep on technology.

Salary Benchmarks by Role That Inexperienced New Graduates Should Know — Higher Compensation in Upstream Roles, With Many Roles Where Liberal Arts Graduates Excel

The table below provides indicative salary ranges by industry segment and role. Please treat these figures as a general reference.

Industry Segment	Role	Estimated Annual Salary
SIer / Contract	IT Consultant	Approx. ¥9,280,000
SIer / Contract	PM (Project Manager)	Approx. ¥8,910,000
SIer / Contract	Senior SE / Architect	Approx. ¥7,780,000
SIer / Contract	SE / Programmer	Approx. ¥5,680,000–¥6,030,000
Internet Services	Producer / Director	Approx. ¥7,920,000
Internet Services	Marketing	Approx. ¥6,820,000
Internet Services	Engineer / Programmer	Approx. ¥5,920,000
Internet Services	Creator / Designer	Approx. ¥4,110,000

Source: METI “Survey on Supply and Demand of IT Human Resources”

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Liberal Arts Graduates With No Experience Are Best Positioned in Roles That Demand Communication and Logical Structuring

The idea that you cannot become an engineer without coding skills is a misconception.

IT consultants and project managers spend the core of their working hours on client communication, documentation, and team coordination — areas where liberal arts graduates frequently excel.

UX/UI designers and digital marketers also reward the ability to read human behavior and psychology, making them natural fits for those with a humanities background.

“Do I want to deepen my technical skills, or do I want to solve people’s problems?” — asking yourself this question is the first step toward choosing the right role.

4. Qualities and Evaluation Criteria That Companies Look for in Inexperienced New Graduate IT Engineers

It is only natural to wonder, when you see a job posting that says “no experience required,” whether that truly means zero knowledge is acceptable.

Understanding what companies actually expect from inexperienced new graduates will give you a clear direction for your application strategy.

Here we explain the concept of “potential-based hiring” and the specific points companies evaluate.

The Top Priority for Companies Hiring Inexperienced New Graduates Is “the Habit of Proactive, Continuous Learning” to Keep Pace With the Speed of Technological Change

Technology in the IT industry evolves rapidly, and what you know at the time of joining can become outdated within a few years.

It is therefore a natural outcome that companies prioritize “how much you can grow after joining” over “your skill level at the time of joining.”

In particular, “whether you have an established habit of independently learning new technologies” is the point that many hiring managers want to verify above all else.

Useful materials for demonstrating a commitment to learning include records of programming study, progress on IPA certification preparation, and published work on GitHub or a portfolio site.

Logical Thinking Is a Quality That Can Be Demonstrated Regardless of Academic Background, and It Can Be Proven During the Selection Process

Engineering work is a continuous cycle of breaking complex problems into smaller parts and solving them in a structured, step-by-step manner.

What hiring managers want to confirm is not “do you have programming experience” but “can you think logically.”

This ability has nothing to do with your major or academic background. Whether through seminar research, process improvements at a part-time job, or trial and error in a hobby, demonstrating the pattern of “identify a problem, form a hypothesis, test it, and verify the result” through everyday examples is more than sufficient.

For infrastructure engineering roles in particular, a tenacious approach to tracking down the root cause of problems is highly valued.

Traits That Indicate a Poor Fit — What Inexperienced New Graduates Should Check Before Joining a Company, and How to Self-Assess

Knowing the characteristics of someone who may not be well-suited to an engineering role is genuinely useful when assessing your own fit. Below are the key self-check points.

Aptitude Checkpoints to Review Before Joining

• Low interest in technology (self-directed study outside of work feels like a burden)
• Difficulty with painstaking work (unable to find satisfaction in spending hours tracking down a single bug)
• Tendency to wait for instructions (prone to stress in environments that expect you to take initiative)

These are not disqualifying traits — use them as criteria for choosing the right role and workplace for you.

How comfortable you feel at work can vary greatly depending on the role and company culture.

5. Selection Process Strategies for Inexperienced New Graduate IT Engineers to Land a Job Offer

Being “inexperienced” is a disadvantage that can be fully overcome with the right preparation. Companies are not looking at your past achievements — they are looking at how far you can grow from here.

This section covers concrete, inexperienced-candidate strategies for both your entry sheet (ES) and your interviews.

Your Motivation Statement Becomes More Convincing When You Frame It Around “a Desire to Solve Problems,” Not Just “an Interest in Technology”

“I love IT” or “I’m interested in programming” are among the most common motivations seen on inexperienced candidates’ entry sheets.

However, companies hire inexperienced candidates because they expect them to grow into professionals who actively solve problems after joining.

When writing your motivation statement, it is important to go beyond “why IT” and dig into “why this specific company, and what problems do I want to tackle here.”

The essence of engineering is “using technology to solve problems.” Connecting that idea to your own motivation produces a far more compelling entry sheet.

In Your Self-PR, Demonstrate “Learnability” Through Concrete Anecdotes

What your self-PR needs to convey is not “what you can do right now” but “how much you are capable of growing.” The most effective way to do that is to illustrate your capacity and eagerness to learn through specific stories.

Showing a programming study log or your progress toward an IPA certification is ideal, but liberal arts examples work just as well.

Any experience that follows the pattern of “broke a problem down, formed a hypothesis, tested it, and improved” communicates that you already think the way an engineer needs to think. Seminars, clubs, and part-time jobs all contain material like this if you look for it.

IPA Certification Is Effective for Inexperienced New Graduates in the Selection Process

One of the most effective ways for inexperienced candidates to earn objective recognition during the selection process is to obtain a certification from IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan).

IT Passport Examination

This is a foundational IT knowledge examination and the ideal first target for liberal arts students and those without prior experience. It covers four balanced domains — business, strategy, management, and technology — making it an effective way to build a broad understanding of the IT industry.

Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (FE)

Regarded as the entry-level benchmark for IT engineers, this examination tests logical thinking, algorithms, and programming fundamentals. Students who hold or are actively studying for this certification are evaluated quite highly in new graduate hiring.

Both certifications are linked to the “Digital Skill Standard (DSS) Ver1.2 (revised July 2024)” established by METI, serving as proof that you are learning in alignment with the national digital talent development framework.

Sources: IPA — Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan / METI “Digital Skill Standard (DSS)”

In Interviews, Convey “Intellectual Curiosity Toward Technology” and “a Drive to Grow” Through Action-Based Stories

In an interview, stating “I’m highly motivated” is far less persuasive than saying “here is what I actually did.” Prepare by thinking through what to include for each commonly asked question.

Common Interview Questions and the Key Angles to Cover

• “Why are you interested in the IT industry?” → Articulate a specific problem you are aware of and how you envision IT solving it
• “Do you have any weaknesses, and how are you addressing them?” → Show the depth of your self-awareness and how you have actively confronted your challenges
• “What does your career look like after joining?” → Ground your answer in a real understanding of the role and describe a concrete picture of where you want to be in three to five years

Rather than memorizing model answers, build a solid framework of “what you want to convey,” then practice articulating it in your own words.

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6. Key Checkpoints for Inexperienced New Graduate IT Engineers to Avoid Mistakes When Choosing a Company

Receiving a job offer and actually thriving in a role after joining are two different things.

Without a clear framework for evaluating companies, inexperienced candidates in particular face a higher risk of finding that the environment does not match their expectations after joining.

Here we outline the key factors to consider when choosing a company, focusing on business models and training structures.

Understanding the Business Model Is the Single Most Important Factor for Inexperienced New Graduates When Choosing an IT Engineering Company

IT companies fall broadly into three types: “SIer (contract development),” “SES (staffing to client sites),” and “in-house development.” Understanding the characteristics of each — and the advantages and disadvantages for inexperienced candidates — is the starting point for making a sound choice.

SIer (Contract Development)

This model involves taking on system development projects commissioned by client companies.

Because each project exposes you to a different industry and business system, it is relatively easy to broaden your experience.

On the other hand, involvement in upstream processes may require a certain level of prior experience. Large SIers with comprehensive training programs are accessible entry points for those without a background in engineering.

SES (Staffing to Client Sites)

This model involves dispatching engineers to work on-site at client locations.

While the variety of environments you can experience is a strength, your sense of belonging to your own company can weaken, and the direction of your skill development tends to depend on wherever you are placed.

It is important to carefully verify contract terms, placement sites, and the availability of training before signing on.

In-House Development

This model involves the company developing and operating its own services and applications. Engineers are often given latitude to make technical decisions and have greater exposure to emerging technologies.

However, there is a stronger tendency to seek immediate contributors, and the number of positions available to inexperienced candidates may be limited.

The Quality of Training and Development Programs Has an Outsized Impact on How Quickly You Grow After Joining

For inexperienced candidates, a company’s approach to training is one of the most important factors determining your growth trajectory after joining.

Make sure to confirm the following points at company information sessions and alumni networking meetings.

Specific Points to Verify

• Duration and content of post-joining training (is there a one-to-three-month group training program?)
• Whether OJT (on-the-job training) is offered and how it is structured
• Availability of a mentor program or regular one-on-one meetings
• Certification support (exam fee reimbursement, dedicated study time)

Additionally, data shows that companies running recruitment-linked internship programs extend offers to more than 90% of participants.

Internships are a valuable opportunity to directly experience a company’s culture, actual work content, and training approach. Participating actively is strongly recommended.

As the “35% Unmet Hiring Target” Figure Illustrates, Applying to Multiple Companies in Parallel Is an Effective Strategy

As noted earlier, companies that successfully meet their hiring targets are in the minority, giving students the room to be selective. Rather than focusing on a single company, applying to multiple companies simultaneously through a combination of recruitment agencies and job hunting services is an effective approach. Going through many selection processes also builds familiarity, making it easier to perform at your best when it counts most.

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7. Types and Features of Job Hunting Services That Inexperienced New Graduate IT Engineers Should Use

There are several types of services available for new graduate job hunting.

Especially when targeting the IT industry without prior experience, it is essential to understand the distinct characteristics of each service type and choose the approach that fits your situation.

Job Hunting Services Fall Into Four Types: “Navigation-Based,” “Offer-Based,” “Agent-Based,” and “Skill-Specific”

Category	Features	Best Suited For
Navigation-Based	Large job listing volume; search and apply at your own pace	Those wanting a broad overview of the industry; those targeting large companies
Offer-Based	Register your profile and receive scout messages from companies	Those wanting to gauge their market value; those open to discovering quality companies they hadn’t considered
Agent-Based	A dedicated advisor supports you throughout; access to unlisted positions	Those anxious about lacking experience; those wanting ES review and interview coaching
Skill-Specific	A coding assessment makes your skill level visible and measurable	Self-taught coders; those wanting their technical ability evaluated fairly

If You Are Highly Anxious About Being Inexperienced, Use an Agent-Based Service as Your Core and Supplement With Other Types

If you carry significant anxiety about job hunting without prior experience, centering your approach on an agent-based service is the lower-risk choice. You gain three advantages simultaneously: ES review, interview coaching, and access to unlisted positions.

That said, relying too heavily on a single agent can result in a narrow information base.

Using a navigation-based service to build a broad picture of the industry, an offer-based service to understand your market value, and an agent-based service for targeted individual coaching is an effective combination that balances breadth of information with depth of preparation.

Rather than recommending specific service names, the more important perspective is to choose the type that best matches your situation and goals.

■ Get Expert Support for Your IT Job Search in Japan

Navigating Japan’s IT job market as an inexperienced candidate is challenging — but you don’t have to do it alone. BLOOMTECH Career for Global provides dedicated, bilingual career support for engineers residing in Japan with Japanese proficiency of N2 or above. From resume review to interview prep, we are with you every step of the way.

▼Contact BLOOMTECH Career for Global here

8. What Inexperienced New Graduate IT Engineers Should Prepare During the Pre-Joining Period to Avoid Burnout After Joining

After receiving a job offer through a “no experience required” opening, one of the most common challenges new engineers face is the “training wall.”

Cases of new hires losing confidence or considering resignation because they cannot keep up with training are not uncommon. However, research data suggests this problem can be largely prevented through preparation during the pre-joining period.

Approximately 60% of New IT Engineers Struggle to Keep Up With Training — Preparation Increases Your Odds of Thriving After Joining

Surveys indicate that approximately 60% of new IT engineers report having “struggled” with their training.

The gap between university-style learning (passively listening, preparing for exams) and engineer training (taking initiative, solving assigned problems) is a major contributing factor.

Being confronted with technical terminology from day one and feeling unable to keep up with those around you directly erodes your self-confidence.

However, simply familiarizing yourself with the meaning of key terms and concepts in advance can dramatically improve how well you understand and retain material during training. You do not need to fully master anything — simply being in a state of “I’ve heard that before” is enough.

Source: PR TIMES “82.2% of New IT Engineers Say Pre-Offer-Acceptance Study Is Something They Should Have Done” (2025 Survey Release)

82% of Inexperienced New Graduate IT Engineers Say “I Should Have Studied During the Pre-Joining Period”

According to the 2025 survey, 82.2% of new IT engineers responded that they “should have studied during the pre-joining period.”

This is more than just regret — it reflects the reality that whether or not you prepared makes a measurable difference in your experience after joining.

For those who are currently in the pre-joining period, this is a “there is still time” message. Dedicating even a small portion of the time before your start date to studying can substantially reduce the risk of struggling through training.

The Top Priority During the Pre-Joining Period Is Building a Foundation of “IT Terminology and Core Concepts”

In the same survey, the most frequently cited area to study during the pre-joining period was “foundational knowledge of IT terminology and how systems work.”

Understanding the language before diving into programming is the most effective way to adapt to training.

Recommended Learning Priorities and Resources

• Top priority: Foundational knowledge of IT terminology and how systems work (basics of networking, OS, and cloud)
• Recommended study format: e-learning (learn at your own pace with the ability to revisit material)
• Specific resource examples: Progate, IT Passport study materials, METI’s “Manabi DX” portal

In particular, the “Manabi DX” portal operated by METI offers courses aligned with the Digital Skill Standard, available free of charge or at very low cost, making it a trustworthy resource for building a structured foundational knowledge base.

Source: METI “Manabi DX”

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9. A Preparation and Action Framework for New Graduates With No Experience Aiming to Become IT Engineers

Pursuing a career as an IT engineer as a new graduate with no experience is a thoroughly realistic choice in today’s hiring market.

The market structurally needs inexperienced candidates, and the breadth of available roles means there are many places where liberal arts graduates and those without technical backgrounds can make meaningful contributions.

The “preparation framework” — earning certifications, studying during the pre-joining period, and leveraging recruitment agents — is what determines both your success in landing an offer and your performance after joining.

Start by using the publicly available data and learning priorities presented in this article as a foundation for your career planning decisions.