Job Discussion Forums

synbeloved · Joined: 03 Feb 2017 Posts: 5

I have recently been hired by Heart Corporation. I have read some stories about them (most that are quite nightmarish), but those are some years ago, and I wonder if they have changed *fingers crossed*. I have some queries, so any kind folks here who have had experience with Heart, please feel free to insert your input.

1) Is a 200,000 - 220,000 yen monthly salary survivable in Japan?

2) How much are your monthly expenses, including health insurance, rent, phone and internet etc. (I know it depends on an individual's lifestyle, but I would wanna know an average)?

3) How are the teachers, school staff, and students like? I kinda have a fear that the students may be rowdy, and even heard stories of teachers being challenged by students, so I am feeling kinda wary.

4) I have requested a posting to an elementary school, as I am more comfortable teaching elementary children. Heart says that they will arrange it, but Glassdoor and other sites say that Heart lies a lot. Is that true in 2016-2017?

5) I heard some people saying that the apartment and the school can be as far as 7km away, and you have to cycle that distance. Is that true?

These are the queries I have for now. Thanks in advance.

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

Had a buddy who worked for Heart in Utsunomiya.

He said that it was a perfectly mediocre position that paid the bills. He lived a pretty no-frills lifestyle though.

Your students will range from superb to awful. It just depends where you wind up and what school you wind up at. Staff will be likewise. On JET, I worked at wonderful schools with wonderful teachers; mediocre schools with awful teachers and awful schools with superb teachers all the same. You'll be an ALT anyway, so you have the magic of opting-in and out of your designated role as "teacher" as you please.

I would never believe what ANY company ANYWHERE says until I see them do it.

Your apartment may be right next door or a train ride away. There is no telling. On JET I had five schools I worked at. One was a 30 minute ride away. Another was virtually around the corner.

Why am I bringing up JET? Because it's effectively the same job. Do what you're told until you know what you're doing. When you know what you're doing, feel free to offer to do more. Make connections. Don't try to make ALTing into a career, but do observe and learn what works to incorporate into your own teaching down the road should you decide to become a TEFL lifer.

Rooster. · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 247

While I have not and don't know anyone personally who has worked for Heart, everything I have heard points to them being one of, if not the worst, dispatch companies to work for.

Teachers and staff will vary from school to school so that wont matter where you work.

Have they told you where you will be placed?

synbeloved · Joined: 03 Feb 2017 Posts: 5

Thanks Rusty for the info. So I guess it's all down to luck where I'd be place, and the attitude of the teachers and students there.

No, rooster, I have not been told where I'd be placed yet. All I know it's somewhere in the Kanto region, but that's very huge.

With the pay they offered and the monthly payments I'd be doing, I am really unsure if I would even be making any money, and even worse, if I need to fork out my savings just to get by.

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

synbeloved · Joined: 03 Feb 2017 Posts: 5

I don't have any student loans back home, so that's one less headache for me. One more question. How tough is it looking for a part time job in Japan if my knowledge of the Japanese language is limited? What jobs are open to me? I have plans to learn Japanese over at Japan, though.

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

What's your background? Any special experience (e.g., strong business background) or qualifications?

That said, I'm guessing Heart will put you in a relatively rural setting, limiting your p/t options to, maybe, private tutoring. Others here have much more experience with this and can speak more authoritatively, but from my understanding, it takes some time to build up a steady core of private students. In other words, you probably need to be prepared to live off just that salary for at least the first six months, if not more. Doable in a rural area, but not much fun!

Sudz · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 438

At the most, use them to get a visa, and to grind out a year of experience. While working there, actively start seeking out better options for your second year.

Don't make the mistake of staying with a mediocre company for longer than they're worth. Use them to get the visa - as they're also using you - and then find something better.

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

They are in Tokyo too. I saw the ad in Yotsuya today.
220,000 per month goes farther up in Tochigi than it does in Tokyo.
But still, you might have to work another job to make money.

synbeloved · Joined: 03 Feb 2017 Posts: 5

I have a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature. And yeah, I would need to find a second job in order to save up while working there.

Yes, I would most probably find another job after Heart. Hopefully the pay and prospect would be better.

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

In asking about any special experience or qualifications, I was trying to see if you qualified for part-time positions in a niche market--say, evening business classes. Having a BA is nice, but since just about everyone else around you will also have at least a BA, it won't particularly help you get a part-time job.

Basically, you will need to rely on networking after you get here...and luck. Depending on the latter, it might take quite some time for you to find p/t work. Are you really okay with that?

If placed somewhere like Tokyo (!), I personally would be very hesitant to take this job. Is it really your only option? (E.g., have you tried applying to the JET Program?) Why do you want to come to Japan?

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

A former dispatch employee stayed with me for a month after she left her job abruptly because she got fed up with the company's labor law violations. The dispatch company was guarantor on her apartment, so when she quit, she lost her home.

That dispatch company paid her ¥250,000/mo but nothing in August and and a reduced salary in March.

Dispatch companies, except for a rare few that hire in country only, find all kinds of ways to screw employees.

But back to Heart - the issues Taikibansei linked to are two of dozens.

Ditto what he says. Avoid Heart like the plague.