Job Discussion Forums

[jar]

When surely there are a lot of candidates within Japan they could hire?

Sorry if this question seems kind of odd. Basically, I'm in the UK and looking for jobs in Japan at the minute. A few dispatch companies and private kindergartens have shown interest, and I'm at the stage of maybe having a few phone interviews.

It's made me think though, why would a company go to the trouble of having to sponsor a visa etc when there are probably countless people within japan looking for jobs?

What are the benefits to a company hiring from overseas? Fresh and genki and raring to go as opposed to burnt out? Or should it be a warning sign to me that they can't find anyone within Japan to fill the post?

Sorry, odd question.

[ecocks]

The ESL marketplace is a fascinating study in the whole concept of Supply and Demand with a healthy side order of how government policies (work visas and regulation) affect the labor market.

[Mr_Monkey]

[ecocks]

Really, they all are aren't they? Europe, the ME, Korea, Thailand...all have scams, contract disputes, wildly varying qualifications and diverse government involvement in the foreign labor market.

Look around at the other sections and you'll see the same comments on almost every board here. There's government intervention (to greater or lesser degrees) everywhere, "contract" issues between school DoS/Mgrs/Owners and foreigners, language issues, odd materials, mandates, yada, yada, yada...everywhere I look.

That said, it's all part of the structure of one big game that everyone plays in participating in the foreign TESL world. Whether you are looking for adventure, money, love, anonymity, hiding from the authorities or desperately trying to survive, there's a bit of challenge and opportunity for everyone.

[Pitarou]

[It's Scary!]

It's a Shame to go to work for Shane!

[Glenski]

[Pitarou]

[OneJoelFifty]

I'd speculate that in addition to what Pitarou said (works out cheaper) and Glenski said (new teachers are easier to take advantage of), the entry level jobs are just a better fit for both the 'teachers' from abroad and the companies.

New teachers are less likely to be confident in their surroundings (and therefore actively look for new jobs during the first year), and will be more reliant on the companies. They'll be fresh-faced and enthusiastic. The companies (particularly dispatch) aren't offering much in the way of career development and expect a steady stream of new starters every year as the veterans take the experience they've gained and find better-paying jobs.

[rxk22]

[Glenski]

I guess I would just argue that in most cases, teachers who are recruited from abroad do not make less than those recruited from within Japan. Shane may be different, but that's only 1 employer.

As for "inhomogeneity", it exists regardless of what I wrote above. Teachers from native English countries will often get offered higher salaries than those from non-native English countries. That disparity does indeed exist, even though by law it shouldn't.

[cat mother]

[Cool Teacher]

I've hear that some times they want people who don't know what tehy rare doing so they can mold them.

Some people who have been in Japan a while may know the tricks of the trade.

This also goes for places with bad reps. They can't find people in Japan!

[micronian]

It can also be a case of image. The large companies like to market "genuine" or "native" english speakers. Who better to fit that description than a newcomer?

I guess it would be like going to an "authentic" Chinese restaurant, and finding out the cook is Korean, or Vietnamese, or some other nationality.

[taffer]

Students from junior high on up to the old folks enjoy talking about Japanese culture, festivals et al.

Newbies ask questions pertaining to this and it is a great way to get and keep conversations flowing in class.