Job Discussion Forums

[YourMessageHere]

Hello all.

I've been applying for ESL jobs in Japan for some time, and one thing I have been seeing again and again is this request for a photo among other, more useful stuff. In Britain people never want photos of job applicants, in fact I don't think it's even legal to ask for one, so I've no experience of dealing with this. Thus I have no idea what sort of photo they want or what they want to do with it. Can anyone enlighten me? What sort of picture should I be supplying?

There's never really any more said about the subject in ads that might clue me in to what the purpose of this photo is or what they hope to learn about me. One I looked at recently said "professional and casual photos"; this is no better - what is a professional photo in this context? I can't imagine they mean a photo by a professional photographer, and since I had no idea this would be wanted, I never had any pictures of me taken when I was teaching (I'm not teaching now). And how casual is casual? And anyway, what does it matter what I look like?

I can't help thinking this may be what's letting me down (27 applications since christmas, not even a single reply, let alone interview) since I'm not super-photogenic.

(edit: title was truncated, now amended)

[ExpatLuke]

This is a pretty common request anywhere you try to find work in Asia. And you're right, it's not completely fair. Language schools generally want good looking, white, foreigners to teach their English classes. Why? Because that's the image many people think of when they think of a legit foreign teacher. Thus if a language school employs good looking foreign teachers, then more people will supposedly sign up for classes. It's all about the image. Yes, it is discrimination, but there's not the same laws in Japan as you might have back home.

A professional photo does in fact mean for it to be taken by a professional photographer. You should also dress very professionally for these photos. If you don't have one, you should go pay for one to have on file. The professional photographer will usually use photoshop to touch up the picture and make you look good. This will probably be the photo the language school will plaster all over their websites or ads to try to get new students to sign up, if you're hired.

The casual one is basically just a casual photo of yourself hanging out somewhere. The kind you post of facebook. Try to pick one that makes you look good (not out partying, drinking, or smoking), where you're dressed a bit nicer (nothing gungy or sloppy).

And don't let the fact that you haven't had any job offers yet get you down. Competition is really fierce for teaching in Japan right now, especially from out of country. Keep trying, and you'll probably find something eventually. You might have to start at an entry level position, but we all have to start somewhere.

[YourMessageHere]

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. I'm white and foreign; two out of three not too bad, yes? It seems such a transparently pointless thing to do, yet schools everywhere do exactly the same thing. Here it's not good-looking besuited white teachers but good-looking ethnically diverse students having fun in groups that are plastered in brochures and on websites. Same stupid idea, different execution.

[Glenski]

Fair or unfair, it's something that Japanese employers require. All of their own Japanese employees are required to provide one, too, so it's not totally an act of discrimination. Japanese resumes (called rirekisho) even have a designated box to glue the picture on. For an electronic resume that you make yourself, just paste it in with MS Word in an open space in the upper right corner.

Go to a place that does passport photos, or do your very best in a photo booth. Wear a suit and look sharp.

[HLJHLJ]

It's not illegal to ask for a picture in the UK, but most places don't do it in case it's used (or perceived as being used) illegally in order to discriminate on the basis of gender/age/race. So instead, you will get invited to interview, at which point they will see what you look like and if your face doesn't fit you won't get the job.

The same process happens the world over, it just happens further down the line in the UK. Personally I'd rather just send the photo than waste my time going to an interview for a job I'd never get.

The actual pictures you submit will depend on the job, they'll be looking for something different for kindy teachers and corporate classes. Professional will still mean suit and tie though.

As for recouping the costs, I shudder to think what you are implying there, but it really doesn't paint you in a good light.

[Apsara]

Just confirming what Glenski says, basically all resumes for all jobs in Japan require a photo, it's by no means limited to foreigners or English teaching jobs.

Just one of many cultural differences you will have to get past if you want to enjoy your time here.

[ExpatLuke]

[timothypfox]

The days of having things recouped by employers in Japan is long gone.

Expect to pay your own plane flight, cost of phone calls to apply for the job, your own fax fees, and rent. Your may be asked for a deposit on a rental place, but employers normally cover the broker fee...

Starting up life in Japan involves other large start up costs. New apartments don't have appliances or furniture. If an employer provides you with an apartment, likely you will have appliances (such as hotplate or burner, fridge, and very basic washing machine). You will likely get one kotatsu (floor table with a heating element under it), and perhaps one air-conditioner. You will get a very basic futon (japanese style - is a very thin matress that goes directly on the floor).

Maybe read up a little more about these kinds of things to know what you are really looking into money-wise. I know you like the culture, but this kind of stuff is important to prepare yourself for.

[mitsui]

If you think that is bad, I remember a job I applied for in Korea. It required a full body photo. What were they looking for? That I was disabled?

[Tiger Beer]

[eiyosus]

[Mrguay84]

I was also a little concerned about the 'photo' situation. Not least because my passport photo is truly awful and it's something I can't really change for several years (without getting a whole new passport). Anyway, I have a hypothetical question............

Ok, so there's 1 job and they have to choose between 2 photos of 2 different people - one of them is dressed casually but they're hot - the other one is dressed very smart and professionally but they're no oil painting.

Who is it likely that they'll choose? Pop quiz hot shots.

[HLJHLJ]

It depends on the job. If everything else is equal, if it's teaching business English out in offices, the suit and tie might clinch it. If it's an edutainment position, then they may pick good looks over anything else.