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eledoremassis02
Joined: 16 Apr 2013
Posts: 12
Location: United States
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 Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 4:36 am Post subject: Deciding when/if to go work (Suggestions and help thread) |
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Seems it's tough times all around and the "New Full Time Salary Offers" thread got me thinking "is it a good time to go".
This thread can be for anyone who has the same question and want to go to Japan as an ALT or work at an eikaiwa but have some reservations about doing so.
For me, the current job I am applying for listed their salary at around USD $26,620.87-28,409.37 (this is not concrete as it's an ALT dispatch company. I will update it if I am offered a position.)
My current job here in the U.S (I start in September if finding a job in Japan does not workout) will be USD$10,616.69 at most. It substitute teaching so I will probably not be working everyday. Sadly, this will be one of the highest paying jobs amongst people I know.
Now, the flip side is that I live at home and don't pay rent yet but will pay for that soon. There is also paying car insurance and college debt.
I've been reading how living on $26,620.87-28,409.37 is very difficult. If I get this job (Interview tomorrow) work should be close, can get there by bike. However, I will not assume that this will be the case. I will also be living alone but that still means rent, food, college debt, etc.
Money is a little low now, but I believe I can make the first month until payment in Japan. If not, then I can always stay here and try to save up.
I live a rather simple life (no partying/clubs) and always try to be cheap (it's in my blood) lol.
What are your suggestions? It's a big step so any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you  |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:23 am Post subject: Re: Deciding when/if to go work (Suggestions and help thread |
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| eledoremassis02 wrote: |
Seems it's tough times all around and the "New Full Time Salary Offers" thread got me thinking "is it a good time to go".
This thread can be for anyone who has the same question and want to go to Japan as an ALT or work at an eikaiwa but have some reservations about doing so.
For me, the current job I am applying for listed their salary at around USD $26,620.87-28,409.37 (this is not concrete as it's an ALT dispatch company. I will update it if I am offered a position.)
My current job here in the U.S (I start in September if finding a job in Japan does not workout) will be USD$10,616.69 at most. It substitute teaching so I will probably not be working everyday. Sadly, this will be one of the highest paying jobs amongst people I know.
Now, the flip side is that I live at home and don't pay rent yet but will pay for that soon. There is also paying car insurance and college debt.
I've been reading how living on $26,620.87-28,409.37 is very difficult. If I get this job (Interview tomorrow) work should be close, can get there by bike. However, I will not assume that this will be the case. I will also be living alone but that still means rent, food, college debt, etc.
Money is a little low now, but I believe I can make the first month until payment in Japan. If not, then I can always stay here and try to save up.
I live a rather simple life (no partying/clubs) and always try to be cheap (it's in my blood) lol.
What are your suggestions? It's a big step so any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you |
It's getting more and more competitive, but did you apply for the JET program? Applications are usually late November or early December for a July start. I read that the salary in the first year is lower than it used to be, but I think it's still one of the best deals around, and definitely one of the safest ways (financially) to get to Japan.
People say that chances of finding a job are a lot better if you come to Japan to look, but if it's going to take your life savings to do so, and there's a possibility of not finding a job, I wouldn't do it, personally. Especially this time of year, as most positions are found in the spring. So, if you can get a job before coming over (like it sounds like you are trying to do), you'll probably be better off, though you'll still need some cash to get you through to the first payday. How much you'll need will depend on what is provided by your employer (e.g., will you need to find your own apartment, and pay the associated key money and deposit, or do they provide an apartment for you? If they provide one, is it furnished? Japanese apartments usually don't come with anything -- so you'd need to buy appliances, eating utensils and dishes, TV, etc).
It's hard to compare salaries between countries (or even between different places within the same country, for that matter). It'll depend on the cost of living where the job is. The low end of the salary you said for the job you are applying for (I'm guessing it's 220,000 yen/mo) would be enough to live on most places. Some places you'll need to live more frugally than others, but that amount should cover the basic necessities. You won't live a lavish lifestyle on that anywhere, and might need to cut some corners to make it work.
You'll also want to check to see how much of a salary you'll get during breaks. Since they gave you a total for the year, it sounds like you'll average 220,000/mo over the year, which isn't bad.
How much do you need to pay each month for student loans? What is your goal -- do you need to make money, or do you just want an international experience? Do you want to make EFL teaching a career? |
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sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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| you'll want to take a job that offers accommodation. The job may not pay for your accommodation. In fact it's quite unlikely you'll get rent paid. But you will go bankrupt finding and paying for your own apartment. You want in writing that the school is going to cover the huge non-refundable deposit (key money) necessary to just move into a place . |
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eledoremassis02
Joined: 16 Apr 2013
Posts: 12
Location: United States
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| Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for the information so far
College payments, I believe, is $100 a month and starts in October.
They have company apartments "offer to subsidize housing...The last time I checked the landlord demands a service fee over the regular rent that covers the realty/key money/insurance cost of about 3 months of rent. So it's economical your 1st year, but eventually you would want to move out.
However, we can't provide accommodation near Tokyo, Saitama and Chiba area although we can assist ALTs in finding a guesthouse."
Seems like many of the positions are rural, and the urban areas are part time (which I would not take anyway) |
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sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930
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| Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 4:29 am Post subject: |
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| eledoremassis02 wrote: |
| many of the positions are rural |
"rural" can be misleading in Japan. THere is urban sprawl stretching endlessly in many places and you might still find yourself with plenty to do in your neighbourhood.
But even if you are really out in the sticks, it is a perfect way to experience the country IMHO after 6 years there. Because we lived in a place where no one spoke English and there was little to do but hang out with people from the local community, we broke the language barrier and, at that point, things became fascinating. |
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Solar Strength
Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 557
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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| Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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| sicklyman wrote: |
| eledoremassis02 wrote: |
| many of the positions are rural |
"rural" can be misleading in Japan. THere is urban sprawl stretching endlessly in many places and you might still find yourself with plenty to do in your neighbourhood.
But even if you are really out in the sticks, it is a perfect way to experience the country IMHO after 6 years there. Because we lived in a place where no one spoke English and there was little to do but hang out with people from the local community, we broke the language barrier and, at that point, things became fascinating. |
But most hate it so much that it can drive them to suicide. Being isolated, especially in a foreign country where you don't speak the language, can be very scary.
Newbies, especially, are always better off in the bigger cities. |
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rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
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| Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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Its not just the salary. Interac is extending it's unpaid spring break. That factors into what you make/don't make.
I'd go JET or not at all. As with the crap salary and longer unpaid breaks, it'll take a long time to recoup your key money, setting up a new life and plane ticket.
Why Japan? You can make more or live better in almost any other place |
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eledoremassis02
Joined: 16 Apr 2013
Posts: 12
Location: United States
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| Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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| rxk22 wrote: |
Why Japan? You can make more or live better in almost any other place |
I am glad you asked that question. Excuse my wording...I only had 3 hours of sleep lol
For me, it is because I like Japan and I already speak Japanese (not fluently but enough to get by. I'd also like a chance to use Japanese more often).
Id have no problem going to other countries but I don't speak the language. I could learn it but I fear by the time I know enough to be ok in another country, I would have already be established here in the U.S.
They key, for me, is to at least make more than I can make here. I am pretty much at the highest I can make with my skill (I don't have a teaching degree and have to go back to college to get it *had to have majored in a subject first in my state*) Of course there are many factors into what qualifies "as more" in terms of salary and living.
I'd like to teach on a reservation here but being Native American kind of makes it a tad more difficult, my mom has already tried.
Ideally, I'd like to go with JET but I did not make the interview stage 2 years ago and last year was a huge mess. Only one of my letter of recommendation later/back up writers got back to me. Sadly there's so much effort to go into applying with JET when the outcome seems rather random, in terms of getting chosen. It may not be a bad thing, but it's rather frustrating.. |
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qwertyu2
Joined: 13 Mar 2012
Posts: 93
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| Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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| eledoremassis02 wrote: |
For me, it is because I like Japan and I already speak Japanese ...
I'd like to teach on a reservation here but being Native American kind of makes it a tad more difficult, my mom has already tried. |
These statements, particularly the second, do not make sense to me. |
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timothypfox
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 492
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| Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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| My advice is to do an alternate teacher certification program in a big US City such as NYC or try the Teach for America Program. Work for them for 3 years in a public school. Your masters will be paid off by then. It will be heavily subsidized. You will earn a decent salary at that point. Decide then if you want to stay in the US with your very politics ridden job that has good pay and benefits or go to Japan. The credential and experience upgrade will then open up options if you really want to work in Japan then.... |
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rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
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| Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:15 am Post subject: |
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Ok, outside of some time spent in learning Japanese, no other real reason? If you lived in Taiwan, you could easily visit Japan, while saving more and living better.
How much Japanese do you know? I am not trying to be mean, but a lot of people think they know Japanese before going to Japan, and end up realizing that they know very little. I doubt the amount of time spent studying will be a waste if you change countries to go to.
Seriously, go JET or don't bother. As you won7t make any money when you factor in setting up an apartment and plane tickets |
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eledoremassis02
Joined: 16 Apr 2013
Posts: 12
Location: United States
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| Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:54 am Post subject: |
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| qwertyu2 wrote: |
These statements, particularly the second, do not make sense to me. |
lol. Well, I figured moving to a country where I can read and get directions and such would be easier to live in than a country where I don't know any of the language.
A lot of the reservations schools get their teachers for the government and they tend to like to hire non-natives. It's similar to the rumors of JETs not really looking for Asians to Alt I suppose.
| timothypfox wrote: |
| My advice is to do an alternate teacher certification program in a big US City such as NYC or try the Teach for America Program. Work for them for 3 years in a public school. Your masters will be paid off by then. It will be heavily subsidized. You will earn a decent salary at that point. Decide then if you want to stay in the US with your very politics ridden job that has good pay and benefits or go to Japan. The credential and experience upgrade will then open up options if you really want to work in Japan then.... |
Alternate teacher certification program, is that Alternate rout? My moms a teacher and alot of teacher who go alternate rout find it harder to get a job than those who go through University :/ I'll look into Teach for America Program. Oh I know the politics in teacher X( Sadly there's that everywhere.... X(
| rxk22 wrote: |
Ok, outside of some time spent in learning Japanese, no other real reason? If you lived in Taiwan, you could easily visit Japan, while saving more and living better.
How much Japanese do you know? I am not trying to be mean, but a lot of people think they know Japanese before going to Japan, and end up realizing that they know very little. I doubt the amount of time spent studying will be a waste if you change countries to go to.
Seriously, go JET or don't bother. As you won7t make any money when you factor in setting up an apartment and plane tickets |
I do like the culture and history and such. I'll do some reading on living abroad and not knowing the language. I have friends in Taiwan so it could be possible. I'll so some reading
I know enough where I can ask for directions got lost twice last time I was there, just wondering seeing where I'd end up..one time was 2 hours away form my hotel lol, order things. Of course my Kanji has deteriorated and I'd need some brushing up.
If nothing comes up I'll try JET again (I wish they did a twice a year thing lol). I honestly don't expect anything until then either lol. Apartment and plane tickets seem to be the biggest problem at the moment. |
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nightsintodreams
Joined: 18 May 2010
Posts: 558
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| Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 6:34 am Post subject: |
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Take everything the community of foreigners living in Japan say with a pinch of salt, they're a grumpy depressing bunch at times. If you want to come to Japan for whatever reason then come to Japan and give it a go, but don't do it solely for the money or you may be disappointed.
I've never lived in the states so I can't really compare your salary with the salary of jobs here. All I will say is that when i first came to Japan (3 and a half years ago) I worked for Interac and earned 250,000 yen a month(11 months of the year). In your first year you pay close to zero tax and health insurance (well extremely low anyway) so this kind of salary was more than enough for me. I went on holiday to the Philippines and Indonesia, paid back about $5000 worth of debt, enjoyed myself on weekends and managed to save a little all in my first year.
So if you can get a salary close to this amount and live anywhere outside of Tokyo then this should be more than enough to live comfortably while you're single. Of course this is very subjective, what I should say is that I could live comfortably on that amount if I didn't have to pay tax.
I have seen some of these new entry position jobs paying less than 200,000 for full time work and my advice would be to stay clear of them. Anything over 200,000 is worth thinking about though, especially when you consider the low tax of the first year.
You could always work a few evenings a week and easily boost that salary up to 300,000 or more. |
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marley'sghost
Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 255
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| Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 2:59 am Post subject: |
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6 of one half a dozen of the other. It's pretty hard to find ALT work for 250000 a month these days. But a single, guy living a reasonably moderate lifestyle can get by for less than that. The high cost of living/moving/setting up in Japan will eat up that higher salary. I think money-wise, you'll come out about the same whether you come or stay.
One one hand staying at home and subing is IMO a better career move. Get your self started on the path to being a real teacher. You've got your licence, might as well use it. In Japan, you'll be putting your career on hold. On the other hand, maybe thats not a bad thing entirely. You'll certainly learn a lot and it would make a colorful entry in your resume. Come and have a little adventure while you can. Just remember teaching in Japan is a great job, but a lousy career. Good luck. |
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rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
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| Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Not just grumpy here. I don't think Japan is a good place to work in general. As the salaries are low, the Interac breaks of no pay are getting longer, and there is no real room for careen advancement.
Just not a good place to go to and live/work. Visit, heck yeah, but to live and work in japan? Not so much, best to live somewhere else and visit to get your nerd on |
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