Job Discussion Forums

[Cartesian Theater]

Hello everybody! First of all, I want to thank everybody who participates in these forum discussions. As a newbie, I have found them by far more helpful than anything else on the internet. Also, I apologize in advance for the length of this post.

I am turning 24 in a few weeks and am currently working in the production department of a local news station. I've been doing that since graduating college in the summer of 2011 (graduated with BAs in English and Philosophy). I originally intended to go on to graduate school to get an MFA in Creative Writing but became disillusioned with the worth of the degree after thoroughly researching it.

I got the job at the news station just to make some money while I figured out what I really wanted to do with my life...then I got complacent and stopped researching and fell into the mundane routine of full-time work. I enjoy the people I work with very much, but the job is far too redundant, the pay sucks, and quite frankly I feel like I'm wasting my talents doing remedial work that I could have worked my way into with only a high school degree.

So after more research, I decided the thrill of moving to another country was particularly appealing, and I had always planned on teaching at some level. I discovered Dave's, weighed my options, and decided Japan is my number one destination of choice.

I set up an account on a well-known Japanese teaching website (I'm not sure if the rules allow me to say the site specifically), applied to about 10 jobs right off the bat, and waited. A few days later, I got some e-mails asking for interviews, set them up, and commenced with the typical process.

My WinBe interview went very well, and I was incredibly excited because that was the first job I applied for. About two days after the interview, I received another e-mail saying they (the man who interviewed me - and whom I had been in contact with throughout the process - along with his boss) thought I would be "a great fit" for them and they were very pleased to "offer me a position," but I would need to respond within two days.

Everything sounded awesome to me so far. I replied saying I'd love to work for them, yada yada. Then he sent me a sample contract via email and asked if I had any questions.

I asked if I were being hired specifically for the location I had applied for (as this was left out of the email and I found it important). This is where I begin to worry and second-guess myself.

He said that there were three potential locations I could work in: Tochigi, Chiba, or Saitama. I would meet with the owners of their new franchise schools, and depending on how the meetings go, I would be placed at one of those locations. I would then sign the contract after the 5 day training session.

On the one hand, I understand that employers would obviously like to meet potential employees before hiring them. On the other hand, I was sent an e-mail specifically saying I had been offered a position, but I don't see how that's the case if I don't physically sign a contract until after meeting with these owners. Essentially, I'm worried that I quit my current job, use what little savings I have ($5,000) to get to Japan and get set up, meet with these owners and potentially be sent home with nothing to show for it.

Does this seem like a legitimate concern, or am I over-analyzing everything? Again, I apologize for the length of the post. I just wanted to give enough background information to accurately describe my situation and concerns.

[Cartesian Theater]

Crap. Sorry Mods, I accidentally double posted this thread. Feel free to delete one or the other. My bad!

[sabina]

I interviewed for WinBe about 2 years ago and from my understanding of it, they have a "gentleman's agreement" (their wording) that if you pass their training period, you will be awarded a contract.
This, and your situation as you have detailed above, make me wonder about the legality of the situation. I thought that in order to issue a COE (the first step toward attaining a work visa), a contract needed to be presented. I don't know how this would work if you won't get a contract until after you have come to Japan. This would mean that they would want you to come over on a tourist visa, which is a major red flag IMHO.
Also, wouldn't you like to know the conditions of your contract BEFORE you say yes? Whatever they promised you during the interview could be much different than what is actually on the paper contract.
So, yeah, it does raise concern for me. I have not actually worked for them though but maybe someone who has will chime in soon.
Be careful and good luck!

[OneJoelFifty]

I would tell them that while you're happy not to know the specific location, and you are sure you'd be a good fit at any of the schools, you would like to have your visa sorted out before you arrive in Japan. See what they say. Be gentle about it though, don't sound as though you're making demands. If they are resistant, explain further that it's very difficult for you to quit your current job without having a visa already sorted out.

I'm guessing they won't be able to sort out your visa before you arrive, at which point you'll have to decide whether it's worth taking a chance. See other recent threads about if you should come here on a tourist visa with a job offer in hand. Many people have done it and it's not been a problem, but there are risks.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I've never worked for them.

But,

Not signing the actual contract until you are here isn't that uncommon. I'm pretty sure I remember signing the 'real' contract for my first emplyer after arriving- but they had already sent me another signed contract. I had a work visa before I entered the country. But you had better read what they sent you pretty carefully. It isn't that uncommon to be given a contract by a company to work for them for X amount of salary for X period, providing that a placement can be found for you. But if a placement cannot be found, then you have no job. I would have thought that those kinds of contracts were only given to people in-country, though.

I doubt a run-of-the-mill eikaiwa would go to the trouble of getting someone here (even if they didn't pay the flight) just to tell them that they have no job after training, unless they were a true disaster.

I found this website about winbe and it may be helpful. Or not.

One thing. This:

[Cartesian Theater]

Thanks for the replies! It seems everyone is in agreement that I need to find out about the visa process. I sent an e-mail out to him this morning asking specifically how they deal with that.

@GambateBingBangBOOM: By redundant I mean I am basically a glorified button-presser. I need something more stimulating and challenging! Interacting with people, particularly teaching, provides ample opportunity for mental stimulation and enables me to connect with people on a global scale that I haven't had the ability to do before. I hope that makes more sense?

As for the pay, eikaiwa work may not be my ultimate goal long-term, but it starts out paying more than I'm making now and provides me the experience necessary to continue in multiple directions. I'm young enough to be able to live frugally until I can develop a better foundation and understanding of the TEFL world in order to live more comfortably later in life.

Also, thanks for the website suggestion. I hadn't stumbled across that one in my web surfing.

[kah5217]

Interac uses an offer of employment to get the visa. It's basically a mini contract that says what salary you'll get at a minimum (when you sign the contract you'll see if you have any location allowances or adjustments).