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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 t | | |
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