Job Discussion Forums

[james_276]

Quick question.

I am presently working as a urban planner in England. I am 27 years old and I am starting postgraduate study in the UK in late September this year.

I was wondering what would be the chance of working as a ALT in Japan for about three months/summer period? I can get a Working Holiday Visa in about 10 days (as I am a UK citizen). I know that companies such as Nova ect have a quite high turnover of staff. Do you reckon I could pick up some work like this for about three months, a kind of teaching temp, especially as I would have a visa ect... I was thinking of e-mailing a few of the main companies in Tokyo or Osaka to see if they need anyone.

I have done quite a bit of travelling and I am a professional person. I would love to do it because after my uni course I will be in career situation.

What do you guys think any advise would be great.

Cheers

Philip

[Glenski]

The only place I know that hires for less than a year is Westgage Corporation. Summer jobs are just not natural in Japan. Besides, you won't recoup your setup costs in that short a time anyway.

[Glenski]

Sorry for the typo. Westgate Corporation.

[canuck]

Philip, there's no chance.

[PAULH]

[sidjameson]

I "think" it is very easy to get a job at NOVA and I have heard of people coming here for a few months like you and then leaving. IMO doable for sure. Cheap flight, say 80,000 yen, gaijin house 50,000 a month, another 80,000 a month to live ok to well here in Osaka. Total cost for 3 months 450,000yen say 500,000 add a 10 day travel at the end, say 100,000. Total now 600k. work pays 250k a month, say only 2.5 months worked. Total 625k. so you should break even at least and have a good time to boot.
If it's your only chance then go for it as it would be a far better way to spend the summer than watching Richard and Judy on the telly.

[sidjameson]

Oh and pm if you like and I can give you some tel numbers etc for the gaijin houses etc.

[Glenski]

With flexi-time for PT workers, you can expect to get 175,000 to 195,000 yen/month (read their web site). That's 525,000 to 585,000 yen in salary for 3 months.

EXPENSES

1. gaijin house 70,000 / month (average is 0,000 to 80,000; with maybe 25,000 deposit) x 3 = 235,000
NOVA will put you up in a shared apartment for 70,000 which includes utilities but not phone; don't know if gaijin houses add utilities to rent)
2. food 30,000 / month x 3 = 90,000 (does not include snacks)
3. phone = 10,000 setup, plus 8000 x 3 = 34,000
4. JMA insurance 7500 x 3 = 22,500 (mandatory by NOVA unless you have foreign insurance)
5. snacks easily 10,000 yen/month
6. 30,000 - 50,000 / month for going out twice a week x 3 = 90,000 to 150,000
7. (is transportation paid for with flexi-time? If not, add another 15,000 to 20,000 per month, or 45,000-60,000 total in 3 months)

456,500 to 491,500 per 3 months in expenses
80,000 airfare
**************************************
TOTAL expenses = 536,500 to 571,500 yen

and you haven't made a single sightseeing trip, taken a single picture, bought a single magazine/book/newspaper, rented a single video, gone to a single movie/play/concert, made a single long-distance call, bought a single souvenir, sent a single letter/postcard, paid for any medical expenses above the baseline payment from your insurance plan (and JMA wants you to pay everything up front before they reimburse you), etc.

You can try it "for the experience", but you will lose money with this route.
So, you actually lose money in the deal.

[Glenski]

That average on gaijin houses should read 50,000 to 80,000

[PAULH]

[homersimpson]

[canuck]

You also get paid a month behind in Japan. No chance.