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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 3:27 am Post subject: Getting a job in Tokyo |
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I have a BA, one years teaching experience in a primary school that is 99% english language learners.
I would like to work in Tokyo and wanted to know what my chances are by just going to Tokyo and finding a job. I have a friend in Tokyo that I could stay with while looking for a job. I am available for one year and can leave as soon as possible. How feasible is this? I was slated to go to South Korea but recieived a heap of warnings from former teachers at the school I had been offered a contract.
Can anyone offer any insights on what the best way for me get a job in Tokyo would be? |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:20 am Post subject: |
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This is prime hiring season, up to early April. If you can really come here, it would be the best moment to do it.
Your degree automatically makes you eligible for working in eikaiwas (conversation schools), and despite having a year of experience, that's about all you are really eligible for at the moment.
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Can anyone offer any insights on what the best way for me get a job in Tokyo would be? |
Read the FAQs for this forum, as well as for www.eltnews.com and www.teachinginjapan.com first. Read the job ads at www.eslcafe.com (yes, here!), as well as www.eltnews.com , www.gaijinpot.com , www.jobsinjapan.com , www.ohayosensei.com , and in the Monday edition of The Japan Times. Do this before you come, if possible, and try to line up interviews before you arrive. Have a presentable resume, and interview well. Bring about US$4000 with you to tide you over. |
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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 6:56 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info Glenski... very much appreciated. What did you mean by all you're qualified for... are talking about primary and public schools?
Thanks again. |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 7:03 am Post subject: |
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I meant you are only qualified for eikaiwas. Unless you get a job as an ALT, you can't work FT in a public school. ALTs can be hired directly by the BOE, by dispatch companies, or through the JET programme. Private HS's won't hire FT workers unless they have at least a year's experience in Japan. |
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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for the dumb question... what does ALT stand for? |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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ALT = assistant language teacher |
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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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So going to Japan at this time with a minium of let's say $3000, and trying to land a job is not a complete impossibility? On my end, the only thing that would stink is leaning on my friend for that long. I suppose I could go to India while the visa is clearing. |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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In my opinion, that should be ok. You won't really need to leave Japan during the weeks that your visa is being processed. It may be necessary for the final step, when you have to go to a Japanese embassy (usually Seoul), but even so, you may not even have to leave the country. At present, there is no standard rule on that sort of thing. It may be possible to stay in the country the whole time.
One thing may happen, though. Your employer might ask you to work before you actually receive the visa. He may offer full pay or partial pay, and it will likely be in cash because you are not legal at that time. It will be up to you to decide whether he is a reputable employer. There have been some cases where a disreputable one strings along its teachers with false claims that the visa process is "still pending" or has run into "delays", or that he forgot to submit the right paperwork, etc. Then, the teacher finds himself here overstaying his visa, and then the employer fires him without a final paycheck, leaving the ILLEGAL overstayer to fend for himself with no legal recourse to get that last paycheck. |
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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 25
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:12 am Post subject: |
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Is that something that could happen with a company like Gaba? Or, can you recommend any companies that can be trusted in Tokyo.
Regardless, will there be informal opps to work while the visa is clearing?
Additionally, my friend has told me that $2000 would be fine, being that I don't eat or drink all that much. Last time I went to Tokyo (2001), I managed pretty frugal, rice and tea, occasional splurge on a movie or shabu-shabu. |
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Sheep-Goats
Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:32 am Post subject: |
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Glenski wrote: |
I meant you are only qualified for eikaiwas. Unless you get a job as an ALT, you can't work FT in a public school. ALTs can be hired directly by the BOE, by dispatch companies, or through the JET programme. Private HS's won't hire FT workers unless they have at least a year's experience in Japan. |
What's the normal application process and/or requirements for BOE and dispatch companies? How much time do they need before the school year starts for visa processing and the like?
And are there any dispatch companies to look for? I googled for "dispatch EFL Japan" and all I got was Interac -- and their package looks like a survive-on-greul and privates type deal, with a very adamant demand for in-country visa holders only. Is this typical? |
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