Job Discussion Forums

[kev7161]

Hi all,

Some of you may know me from the China forums. I was mulling over doing a year's stint in Japan (preferably in Tokyo) before going home to America, IF I can find a suitable job. I'm going to spend some time reading the posts on this forum and doing some internet research. If anyone wants to send me helpful advice or job suggestions, please feel free. Here are my credentials, do you think I have a shot?

1. 4 year Bachelor's degree (graduated summa c um laude) in Elementary Education

2. Over 6 years teaching experience in the US before coming to China

3. By the time I finish here, about 2 1/2 years of ESL teaching in China

4. Able to obtain glowing letters of recommendation from Chinese and American educators if needed.

5. White, single, 43, male, American, clear easy-to-understand diction.

6. Currently have in my possession my diploma plus my non-expired American teaching certificate. Don't have transcripts though - - I suppose they would be somewhat easy to get.

So, what are my odds of landing a pretty decent job with a pretty decent salary?

[Glenski]

With any bachelor's degree, a person stands a fair chance of getting a routine conversation school job or an ALT position with JET programme. Since you have experience, the odds are more in your favor.

However, since you have no work experience in Japan, you may be able to get nothing better than those types of work. Maybe an ALT job through a dispatch company or BOE as well.

Your odds of success also depend on what time of year you plan to come, where you want to work, what your resume actually looks like, how you interview, etc.

"Pretty decent salary" is a relative thing. JET ALTs get 3.6 million yen per year, which is better than most conversation schools (they offer about 3 million per year). But, depending on where you live (urban or rural area) and what you have to pay for rent, and what your lifestyle is, you can expect to have about 125,000 to 175,000 yen left over each month after you pay for basic necessities. How much of that you SAVE depends on you.

[JimDunlop2]

The reality of the situation is, like Glenski pointed out, your qualifications are just fine for obtaining most forms of English teaching work outside the scope of colleges or universities.... But the majority of employers will not look at or consider whether or not you graduated suma c u m laude (they won't even know what that means) or that you have experience in China. But, neither will it hurt you that you have those things. Transcripts are certainly not required anywhere, and other original documents -- only your diploma.

I see no problems with you getting job interviews, and just like back home, at that point it's all up to you to dazzle them with your m4d 5|<!77z.

Good luck!

P.S. The letters of recommendation will come in handy if applying for Board of Education jobs, but usually only if they come from a school principal.