Job Discussion Forums

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

This question has come up a lot recently on this forum and others. People want to know how to maximize their odds of getting hired, or they want to somehow hedge their bets on who to apply to because of better odds on getting hired.

Whether it is for the JET Programme, or the Big Four eikaiwas, or anyone else, nobody can give you any statistics.

JET and the Big Four interview thousands of people for thousands of positions. Only they keep the records on how many made it vs. how many tried.

If people are really that curious about what it takes, just post your credentials here, and if they seem reasonable, we'll tell you. That means, we can only tell you that you have a fair chance or a poor chance of getting hired. What credentials your particular employer wants is not something we will know. Moreover, we have no idea how well you conduct yourself in an interview. If you have specific interview questions, fire away

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

I have seen posts about hiring for applicants on the JET program. Each area has a quota of how many people they need, based on the numbers they get from individual boards of education. Some schools want an American female, others want an Australian male under 28. Others seek someone who can speak Japanese. A lot depends on individual interview boards, and when you have something that hired people from 20 countries (not just JET but CIR and SEAs) you are going to get wide disparities in hiring criteria. Basically applying for a job with JET, NOVA or one of the big schools is a lottery, but as Glenski says, you can improve your chances by interview technique, knowing what to say etc.

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

Good thread idea, Glenski. Could be a sticky if enough people reply and the info is then reorganized properly. Of course, it'd be nice to know % chances at different kinds of work: language schools, public schools, private schools, international schools, universities. Even though the numbers for the last two will be 1% and 1% for most of the people who are asking about their chances in the first place. It never hurts to mention other factors, like arrival time(s) or niche opportunities for certain degrees.

I'm 25, American native speaker, BA English, CELTA, 2 years EFL experience (1 in a university, 1 in two different private high/junior high schools) in Thailand and China, all of my experience has involved formal lesson planning, curriculum development and quasi-administrative duties. My academic writing skills are very strong -- I scored in the 95th percentile on the three-year-old "writing" portion of the GRE (Graduate Record Exam -- the entrance exam for grad schools in the states). I interview fairly well (perhaps in the 75th to 80th percentile as I'm often too honest with the "what I expect from a school" question) and bring a very detailed teaching portfolio including sample lesson plans (with materials and student produced work for each lesson), reccomendations, teaching philosophy summations (and some other egg-head crap), and samples of other related personal work. My grammar is rock solid; and while I don't have prepared answers to every "how would you teach..." or "what would you do if..." question I'm fairly close to that.

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

wintersweet · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 12:30 am Post subject:

Hey, is anyone going to answer Sheep-Goats? Wink

I was thinking about posting myself but I wasn't sure ...

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

Celeste · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 7:53 am Post subject:

Sheep Goats-

As far as the JET programme goes, you would score well in a few different areas. You have experience teaching ENglish, you have experience abroad and you are smart. The thing that you may have trouble convincing them of is that you can be flexible and that you won't balk at doing things "the Japanese way" (ie. never tell a teacher that they are wrong, even if they are clearly mistaken about a grammar point or have questionable teaching methodologies.)

If you can emphasize interest in Japanese culture and language, as well as lay to rest any fears that you might feel overqualified for an ALT position, you should do quite well in a JET interview. (You are charming, aren't you? It's all for naught if you have a dull personality.)

I don't know about any of the Eikaiwa company hiring policies, perhaps someone else could add more?

brandont_h · Joined: 07 Jan 2005 Posts: 7

Hi folks. . .

I'm planning on applying to at least a couple of the big four within the next month or so, so I'd be interested in reading what anyone might have to say about my credentials. Oh, I should note that my girlfriend will be applying as well, and we're hoping to live and work in the same general area. . . I don't know what kind of effect that might have on our chances of being hired. I guess it depends on the school.

I'm a 25 year old male, Canadian native-english speaker. I have an honours BA in English Literature, and I've completed a 60 hour TESL certificate. I've worked in the retail industry for the last 10 years, so I've certainly learned a lot about dealing with people. For the last four years or so, I've been in a somewhat "ethnically diverse" neighbourhood, so I've gotten used to communicating with people who have limited english skills. In terms of teaching experience, I don't have much. I am a certified WHMIS (workplace hazardous material information system) trainer at my workplace, but that's about it. I have heard that some places (JET programme in particular) are interested in how much travelling you've done. I've never set foot outside of North America, which I'm afraid might work against me.

Anyway, if anyone has any opinions on my credentials, and likelihood of getting hired, please give me some confidence! Smile

Celeste · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:08 am Post subject:

You should be able to get work. You fill the visa requirements, and you seem to have interest in the job (your 60 hour cert.). Living in an ethnically diverse area won't count for much, but it won't hurt you either.I think that you will get an entry level position fairly easily. Start applying, and practice up for the interviews.

brandont_h · Joined: 07 Jan 2005 Posts: 7

Thanks a lot for the reply, Celeste. Just to note: I didn't plan on making the fact that I deal with limited-english customers every day a main focal point during my application process. That's more something I thought I could perhaps mention if I get a question like "What would you do in a situation where you can't understand what a student is asking of you?" or something during an interview.

Again, thanks for the reply. If anyone else has two cents to offer, I'd appreciate it greatly.

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

As celeste wrote, I feel you are qualified for the most basic entry-level job -- eikaiwa work. All that's needed is a degree, any major. Having a TEFL certificate is more than most people have, and you might even want to play this down for some eikaiwas because they might be afraid that you will try to introduce some new teaching methodology which differs from the one they want you to follow.

By the way, nothing personal but, your statement...

brandont_h · Joined: 07 Jan 2005 Posts: 7

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

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

I know in the 90s JET accepted many Hawaii applicants. It has something to do with lack of cultural shock since Hawaii is very close to Japan culturally and foodwise. Over half of us got accepted. I spoke with another JET from Winnepeg(sp?)Canada and she said that only 20% were accepted from her region.