Job Discussion Forums

Martinaj · Joined: 07 Sep 2014 Posts: 35

I have a job offer with Borderlink starting next month. I have my visa, and all that's left is for me to buy my ticket. I was aware of their dubious reputation, but as the date grows closer, it is starting to eat at me again, and I'm wondering whether or not I should bail and start looking for a job with an eikaiwa, or wait on the results of my JET interview. What I want to know is WHY they have such a horrible reputation? The interviewers seemed very personable, helpful, and honest, but I suppose that is their job.

Is it just the low pay and lack of help with housing, or are there other things? I can deal with a lot if I know what I'm getting into when I'm walking in, but the one thing I cannot tolerate is a company trying to get away with messing with my salary (bogus excuses for lowering it or excessive delays in its distribution, especially). It hasn't been an issue for me before, but I know other people who have had this problem in companies in China, and it's not something I would put up with. Is this a risk at Borderlink?

jkozera · Joined: 09 Jan 2015 Posts: 90

What is the pay they offer and benefits? do they set you up with housing and a bank account or are you on your own?

Martinaj · Joined: 07 Sep 2014 Posts: 35

They're offering 225,000 per month, and not much in the way of benefits. I THINK they're helping with a bank account, which is why I don't see my first paycheck for 2 months. They say they put me in touch with a realtor after I arrive, and do not act as garauntuer on the apartment.

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

How about having a look at this or this?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:29 pm Post subject:

One review on glassdoor mentions FIVE DAYS of training. That alone will be enough to drive you stark, raving mad (two days max is pushing it for the type of stuff these inductions usually meander through).

Still, if you are an absolute mint-fresh newbie to Japan and extremely impressionable then all that could be really really useful. Just make sure you bring sufficient savings for when the inevitable fleecing~gouging starts.

BTW it shouldn't take that long to get a bank account opened LOL. The ostensible reason for it usually taking two months to get anything approaching the first full paycheck* is that you need to submit the first month's timesheet to the BOE and then wait for it to be processed, hence the pay lagging so far behind with dispatch AET work (it was a similar story with RCS, for example). NB: The same joyful process starts all over again in the second/autumn-winter semester, following the summer holiday, so be prepared for that.

*Hopefully there are automated advance payments still available from Borderlink, via e.g. UFC bank's 'Sokubarai' sevice, for each completed week of timesheet submitted. The way it worked when I was with them was you'd be able to partly cash in (borrow) the following Wednesday on timesheets you'd faxed to BL the previous Friday. The Sokubarai service operated via one's mobile phone, and certainly beat the begging letters and phone calls that other dispatchers needed (even if they were "nicer" overall than BL).

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Did they mention that your pay will be lower in March April August and December?

Martinaj · Joined: 07 Sep 2014 Posts: 35

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Well getting paid 225000 a month is t so bad. Getting that 8 months a year makes for a different situation. That really is crap wages, even if they paid you that very month. I'd tell em to $%&# off

RM1983 · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 360

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Martinaj · Joined: 07 Sep 2014 Posts: 35

Well, I went ahead and turned them down - it just seems like I can do better. Now, I DO have a a Visa that gives until May 5th to enter the country. Will that still be viable? If so, it seems that it would make finding another job in time for the start of the ALT season a lot easier.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Your visa is yours. Put it to good use.
Good for you. ALT jobs are PT jobs these days. Or essentially a working holiday job. Not awful but not something that goes anywhere

RM1983 · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 360

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

So, why don't you hold off a bit and see if you're chosen for JET? I guess they'll let you know in April if you've been short-listed. You could hold off until then and if not selected for JET, or in the meantime, apply for jobs from abroad. As you say you have until 5 May to enter the country.