Job Discussion Forums

mersshroyer · Joined: 21 Aug 2012 Posts: 33 Location: Rosario, Argentina

I'll be applying too, good luck! No matter what, it can't hurt to try, right?

It sure is taking them long enough to make the US application available though! First it was gonna be in mid-September, then that became mid-October.. And here it is almost the end of October. Sheesh.

ssjup81 · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:38 am Post subject:

If I'd found out about my job situation earlier, I might would've tried out for JET next year. I just found out Wednesday that my contract isn't going to be renewed in the spring, so I have to start job hunting again. Kinda sucks. Oh well. I guess I just wasn't cut out for eikaiwa work (not of this nature, anyway, where I'm the only teacher and have to do everything) given how small this place is. I work better when I can collaborate with another teacher or in a team-teaching situation, which I've always found to be advantageous. Two heads are better than one. I also think I'd do better in a 9-5 type job (or 8-5) or whatever. Healthwise it'd probably be better for me. I'd also study Japanese more, like I did when I was an ALT before. I had more time to study it, compared to here, where I have to use English practically all the time. Last time, I wasn't in an "English bubble", since I had other teachers to talk with/to who didn't speak English at all. Working here, I'm spoken to in English practically all the time and it's very very encouraged for me to try my best not to use Japanese at all.

That aside,as it's a bit irrelevant to the original topic, I did apply to JET once, back in about...2008 I think it was. I didn't even get to the interviewing process, and I had experience, at the time, working with non-native English speakers as a volunteer assistant language teacher in my hometown, I was recognized for Teacher of the Week at the middle school I used to assistant teach for, I had tutoring experience, I've had Japanese lessons (and a higher level of Japanese back then...I just plain suck now), etc.

There are some who managed to get in with practically no experience. As some have said, seems to be a real crapshoot. No one knows why some people manage to get in and why some don't. Why some with experience may get rejected, while those with practically no experience don't. I guess it all depends on the recruiters/interviewers, etc., and their moods. I wish there was a way to know what they fully want.

That aside, everyone has an equal chance, I feel, regardless of one's background/age (unless you're over the age limit). You should go for it. You'll never know unless you try.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject:

TWG · Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 39

Tangential to the thread...

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You might want to ask the labor standards bureau if it is legal to just stop renewing your contract. I have a vague recollection that after 2-3 years they have to provide a valid reason.

Look at the April 24 Japan Times LIFELINES column by Hifumi Okunuki.
Www.japantimes.com/text/fl20120424lp.html

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

They have to provide a valid reason (technically the burden is on the company). Also, saying that the employee's work performance is poor isn't always considered a valid reason - the idea is that, if the employee's performance really were poor, they would have fired the employee before.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject:

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

What are the numbers of new hires for JET as of late? Curious is all, as with how the economy is, and the fact that other teaching jobs suck in pay wise, lots of people are staying with JET as long as possible.

ssjup81 · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:25 am Post subject:

TWG · Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 39

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 2:52 am Post subject:

ssjup81 · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:12 am Post subject:

TWG: Well, my contract doesn't end until March 31, 2013 (or something like that). I knew there were changes, but didn't know that there was a possibility that I could lose my visa.

Lyrajean · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 109 Location: going to Okinawa

I was 33, single white female American when I got into JET. Stayed 4 years, would have stayed 5 if they let me. Stupid health issues got in the way...

Anyways, if you are reasonably healthy, interested in teaching EFL in Japan please apply. I met several 30 somethings when I went over. There was a 36 year old in our "batch". She stayed 5 years.

2 things to consider: don't count on being placed in any particular part of the country. The only things they seem to consider seriously when doing placements are family, and sister city/state relationships.

Secondly, think about what you are going to do for a social life if you are not interested in going out and getting bombed with a bunch of 20 somethings every weekend. there will be some socializing with co-workers, but you don't want to rely on this for your well-being. Learning some Japanese is more important for you than everyone else. It helps with the application too. Also the keep in mind the dating scene is not as favorable to western women as men.

ZennoSaji · Joined: 02 Feb 2010 Posts: 87 Location: Mito, Ibaraki

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN