Job Discussion Forums

[frances]

i have been in japan for just over three weeks and my boyfriend
arrived last wednedsday to work for a different company. we both
requested to live in kyoto or osaka, but i was placed in
matsumoto while he got osaka. i know that it may not seem that bad, but we were both very excited to be living close together if not with
eachother while living here. my company does not allow transfers
for a year and they are not hiring for my area any time soon. his
company (nova) requires a probationary period before he can
request transfer and even then it is not guaranteed. what can we do? we
are both willing to relocate but want to do the right thing for our
employers. i am willing to give notice and try to find a job in
osaka but is that practical at all? are there any other options? please, help! i want to share this experience with him more than anything.

[PAULH]

I can't really suggest anything short of handing in your notice and looking for work in Osaka but if you want to have a look at jobs in Kansai go to the Kansai Flea Market

http://www.kfm.to

With you in Matsumoto and him in Osaka without possibility of transfers you are not going to please everyone and sooner or later something has to give.

[frances]

thank you for the suggestion... i am trying everything i possibly can to figure this out. it`s quite heartbreaking. are there any schools in kyoto or osaka that you would recommend trying?

this is so overwhelming.

[canuck]

Just move to Osaka. It's a big city. If you're not picky about jobs, you should be able to find something. You'll save money in the long run if you live together too. Just give notice and leave.

[frances]

will it be easy to find jobs even if i don`t have a university degree? i only have college and a tesol certificate.

any response is so, so appreciated.

[PAULH]

Are you on a working holiday visa?

Degree not needed for WHV but needed for sponsorship and full time WV.

More info please.

[canuck]

You should be fine. If you have a place to stay while you're in Osaka, and have your act together, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to find something in a couple weeks.

[frances]

[Glenski]

What sort of financial situation are you in, and what is his living situation? If he's with NOVA, he is likely sharing an apartment with 2 other teachers, so you wouldn't be able to move in with him. And, that means you will have to fork out the money to pay for your own housing. Pricey if you find an apartment that allows foreigners. Not exactly cheap even if you get a gaijin house setup.

What are the terms of your contract in regards to quitting? I expect you will lose any bonus. Granted, you only really have to give 2 weeks notice, but if you want to "do the right thing", you will honor the contract's terms of resigning.

I am not going to say I told you so, but many couples will probably find themselves in similar situations. I hope they realize ahead of time that even though you request a location from a huge outfit, that it is very possible that you won't get it, and you'll have this separation. I can only imagine how you two must feel, but it's the realities of teaching here. One more question, though. Did you two plan to teach here, or just enjoy Japan?

[ellie]

id say that he is a much better position than you given that presumably he has the proper visa. If you can stick it out where you are then he will eventually be able to get a transfer - I know people who work for nova who have had success moving places, several times in some instances. And if you cant stick it out that long then he should have no problem getting another job.

[Synne]

Frances

Not to be off topic but what company are you working for?

[frances]

sorry, i probably shouldn`t say. at least i was warned not to say....

[joncharles]

I would have to agree with PAULH. I think the best way to handle this situation is to give your 30 days notification. However, I would suggest that your boyfriend find an apartment away from Nova first. If they have Leo Palace in Osaka that is a start. They cater to foreigners and in many places do not require a guarantor nor key money, but still could cost a bit. There are a few more of these companies poping up around Japan. Some one mentioned MiniMini also. I would not wait for a transfer, by the time he finishes probation and files the papers it will be six months before anything starts to happen. In fact some of my fellow Nova teachers were told they can transfer AFTER six months.. so it could be almost a year.

Once you are in Osaka you should be able to find something. There are several job webs sites you can go to where they advertise "Must be in Japan" jobs.( to my dismay) Good luck

[frances]

i am so confused. so i shouldn`t wait and hope for a transfer?

is the smartest thing to find housing without a key deposit and move to osaka with him since he does have roomates? i don`t want to move to osaka. leave my company behind, and then not have somewhere to work. are my odds good for finding work there?

i am dizzy with questions and concerns here.

thank you all for you imput.

[Gordon]

I don't think it will be difficult to find work in Osaka. There is a gaijin house in Osaka called Orange House. There are two more there too. http://www.oct.zaq.ne.jp/orange/topen.htm

You can stay long term there: 60,000 yen/month for the two of you. I don't know what it is like, but it is good to get you started.

I agree with many of the other posters, it could be 6 months to a year before you get transferred.