Job Discussion Forums

undrmynd · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Japan

Hello all! I am leaving for Japan March 9th. I am meeting my brother at the airport and going to kita-koshigaya. I will be staying in J&F Hostel for at least a month.
My problem is that I want to start working in April and I don't know if I should try to get a job before I arrive or not. My brother got a job about 2 months after he arrived in Japan. He said he could have had one sooner, but he was enjoying travelling around too much to settle in one place right away.
I would love to get a job near where he is, but I am also interested in teaching in Nagoya. (sp?)
So, I would like any views as to what I should do. I have been in contact with a few schools already.
Thanks everyone.

ps I have a working holiday visa and TEFL, I am Female- 27 years old, if it makes a difference. No degree, 3 years of college. Canadian.

spidey · Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:01 am Post subject:

Hello undrmynd,

It wouldn't hurt for you to make some contacts before leaving Canada. Try to find some schools near the locations that you are looking for. If the school interests you, send them a resume. You can accomplish quite a lot before coming to Japan. You may even find yourself being offered a position or two.

The sooner the better for you to maxmize your options.

Good luck

S

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Are you set on teaching English, and why?

(Hi Spidey, miss you!)

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You are coming during prime job hunting season. That's a good sign. Line things up before you come so that you can hit the ground running with as many interviews as possible, and you should be working fairly soon. Otherwise, you should still come with plenty of money to support yourself until the first paycheck comes around. US$4000.

undrmynd · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Japan

Spidey - Thanks for the ideas. I have been looking into a few different shcools already. Do you think it would be a good idea to send them my resume now, or wait until I get there to visit them in person?

Sweetsee - Yes, I would like to teach english. I have invested a lot of time and money for my TEFL course and I enjoyed my practicum teaching. I would still consider different job though, if it interested me. It would also depend on the location.

Glenski - I am coming with enough money to live comfortably for about 2 - 3 months. I have the resources to pick and choose between jobs, as I do not need to find one right away. I would like to start working sometime in April, but can wait until May.

Thanks to all who posted. Any more ideas are welcome! Very Happy

spidey · Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

Hello again undrmynd,

Sending your resume is a good way to establish a working relationship with prospective employers. By you sending them information about yourself, companies will be more likely to send you information about themselves. This will help you learn more about the companies in order to make a valued judgement.

It's always best if you take the initiative.

S