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When is an offer not an offer?
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cornishmuppet



Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Posts: 642
Location: Nagano, Japan

PostPosted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 3:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a Westgate phone interview in two days. I'd just like to ask if there are actually any decent companies in Japan worth working for, because every single one of them seems to get trashed on here somewhere.

I have a years teaching experience and want to go to Japan to earn some decent money. I've applied for perhaps 20 jobs and have had just one response, from a particularly shady sounding school called Merry House whose website doesn't work properly and who refuse to tell me anything about the school itself, despite repeated emails asking them to do so from myself.

I am in no way unemployable, I have never been late for a single class, have always been willing to teach at later notice that it states in my contract, i.e. coming in from home to teach lessons incorrectly left off my timetable, and always prepare my lessons professionally, yet get no interest from anyone out there, besides the chain schools, which I then read are basically just big scams themselves. Is there really any point?

Sorry, no offence intended or anything, its just that reading that every company I apply for is a waste of time is starting to do my head in.

Chris.
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kiracle



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 65
Location: Gifu, Japan

PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 1:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chris,

Every school is defiantely not a scam. I think people are more prone to post their complaints and troubles than all the great things about their jobs. Basically teaching English in Japan is a job like any other, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not. There are certain difficulties peculiar to teaching in Japan but they are certainly overcomable ( is that a word? I've been teaching Englihs too long Confused ). Many, many people work at a less than perfect company and end up finding it a rewarding expereince. Certainly the Big 4 leave things to be desired but plenty of people do their work, get what they can out of it and do their best to enjoy being in Japan and then perhaps move on. Some schools really, really suck but they are not the majority. If you go in with an open mind knowing it's just a job, that it will sometimes be difficult and sometimes be amazing, I think you'll find it easy to get a lot out of the teaching in Japan experinence. I even have a friend at Westgate who is getting exactly what he wanted out of it ( 3 months teaching at a uni in Tokyo to wrap a four year stint in Japan as well as tickets home)

It sounds like you are a good candidate but this is not a big hiring time so that might be part of the reason why you are not getting a huge response.
Keep at it and don't get discouraged. There are moments when I hate my job but I am so. so glad that I came here.

Cheers,

Kiracle
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BenJ



Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 209
Location: Nagoya

PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 4:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chris,

I know how you feel - the first time I started perusing eslcafe forums it made me want to stop thinking about teaching and travelling and go back to the office. Just consider this site as a place to highlight pitfalls, not as an advertising area for the great things of teaching overseas - there are some of those here but mostly not.

If you are a reliable teacher as you state, I don't think you'll many problems wherever you work, so just go somewhere and find out when you get there.
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Mike L.



Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 519

PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 4:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chris..

Unless you come over wiht one of the big4, Westgate or the like you'd be better comming here in the Spring , start of the school year, to find a job..

If it's just eikaiwa thenanytime would be fine except August!!
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cornishmuppet



Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Posts: 642
Location: Nagano, Japan

PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 9:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear Kiracle, BenJ, Mike,

Thanks for your responses! I'm sorry, I was having a bit of a bad day there! I know a lot of schools aren't perfect - the one I teach at isn't although its not bad - I'm just worried about heading out to Japan and getting screwed over, because I don't have a lot of spare cash to bale myself out. To be honest the idea of a three month contract sounds fine to me, to give me a chance to check the place out (the reason I didn't go for Japan last year was the 'fear' of signing my life away for a whole year, though having done nine months in Italy a year doesn't seem that bad anymore).

I basically just want a job where I'm treated like a teacher rather than a name on a spreadsheet. I did two years in a bank before I took up teaching and that was why I left, and I'm not inclined to do it again. Unfortunately, though, teaching in Europe is not lucrative enough to pay off my student debt and I'm starting to feel that like a chain around my neck!

Anyways, thanks guys, I'll keep my head up!

Cheers, Chris
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TEAM_PAPUA



Joined: 24 May 2004
Posts: 1679
Location: HOLE

PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 10:16 am    Post subject: Email from Westgate Reply with quote

Westgate emailed me today -

Quote:
It is with deepest regret that we must advise you that due to negative changes in economic circumstances in which Westgate finds itself, Westgate will be unable to proceed with you joining our teaching faculty at this time. Therefore, we had to decline our offer.


This was due to changes in business conditions that resulted in budgetary restrictions imposed by Westgate's clients. It is important for you to understand that this does not reflect at all upon your record of accomplishments, skills and abilities, but is simply the result of weakness in the Japanese economy at this time.


In the meantime, we would like to hold your c.v. for future opportunities in the event that the needs of Westgate and its clients change. We deeply apologize for this inconvenience, but if I or anyone else at Westgate may be of any assistance to you for the future, please do not hesitate to let us know. We join in wishing you much continued success in all of your future endeavors.


Sincerely,
Human Resources Department
Westgate Corporation


So, why are they still giving phone interviews? And why are they still wating peoples time?
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cornishmuppet



Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Posts: 642
Location: Nagano, Japan

PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess I better start getting those CVs out again . . .

Cheers for the information, though

Chris
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TEAM_PAPUA



Joined: 24 May 2004
Posts: 1679
Location: HOLE

PostPosted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 1:49 am    Post subject: * Reply with quote

Any developments? I've heard from several people who have informed me that Westgate are still sending out offers? Despite their 'financial problems' Cool
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cornishmuppet



Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Posts: 642
Location: Nagano, Japan

PostPosted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

They called me and I did the phone interview. Went ok. . . obviously they didn't mention any company problems and I didn't want to ask, the woman seemed annoyed enough when I asked about the possibility of cycling to work! She said I should hear in a couple of weeks, and I'm going to wait and see what happens. I'll be considering any other options that come along though.

I'll let you know what happens . . . in the meantime keep me posted on your situation too.

Chris.
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Mike L.



Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 519

PostPosted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cycle to work if possible and don't tell them!!!

Get my drift!!!
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cornishmuppet



Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Posts: 642
Location: Nagano, Japan

PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 10:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay, so thought my Westgate interview went pretty good, but a couple of days ago I got an email telling me I didn't get a job, because competition was fierce, the strength of their applicants, the qualifications they all had, blah blah blah.

Now, I was under the impression you didn't need any qualifications or experience to apply for Westgate. Surely then, my TESOL cert, and a year of experience would put me near the top of the pecking order? But I guess there you go, perhaps they've overhired after all. They certainly wouldn't give me a reason when I emailed them for one, even though I pointed out after the lengths and costs I went to in completing their application plus sending off their f**king copies of every goddamn document under the sun, it was the least they could do.

Hey ho, I guess you lose some, then you er . . . lose some.

Back to the drawing board! : - )/

Chris.
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zorro (2)



Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 47
Location: Newcastle, England

PostPosted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"i think you'll find that it was a simple case of a misunderstanding. i could manage the application on my own but wondered why they wanted me to answer such a simple question when the others required a modicum of thought.

and i'd appreciate it if you refrained from calling me a tosser in future.

thanks geek

Thanks Zorro, hey if you happen to be working at Westgate when I'm there (assuming that you managed to at least spell your name correctly on the application form) need any more help? Maybe you need walking to the train station? need your classes taught for you? anything else..? I'll have to put in for babysitter's allowance"

i find it quite ironic that i start work with westgate in two weeks time and you got your offer withdrawn team-papau. in fact they offered me the job just after they withdrew your offer. perhaps i have your job???

love zorro.
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