Job Discussion Forums

[Geat]

Hi everybody, this is my first post here! Great forum, very useful information!

I have a question I haven't found an answer to yet. I've done my research, and I'm pretty set on trying to work for one of the big 4 english schools (NOVA, AEON, GEOS or ECC). I'm curious how likely it is I can be assigned to a requested area. A little about me, I grew up on Yokosuka naval base in Kanagawa, and still have many friends still in the area. I'm looking to move to somewhere in the area (but not Yokosuka itself, I've my fill of living near sailors, thanks).

How likely is it, if I request to be placed in, say Kanagawa or Tokyo, that my request will be granted? How about asking for something more specific, say Yokohama? I'm particularly interested in hearing about placement with AEON or ECC, since they both offer interviews in Los Angeles, and I live about an hour away (and they seem to be the "best" schools to work for, by popular opinion).

Also, although I have tried to read as much as I can about the whole process of getting an interview, getting a job, working for these companies, etc., any other jewels of advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Glenski]

How likely, you say?
Nobody will guarantee you odds, any odds. You will be able to request a place that you prefer and state your reasons, but unless they have openings there, you won't be sent there. The employers will say that they take into account your request, and the best they can realistically do is see what places close to your desired location hav openings.

[worlddiva]

Hey Geat!

Well, I don't know how likely you are to get a placement that you request but I can say this from personal experience with AEON and ECC:

As for AEON, I requested to live in a small city on Shikoku. They placed me in Kochi city and I was quite pleased. The previous teacher had requested to come to Kochi for surfing and he got his placement request granted. Now was this luck...I don't know but it worked out for both of us.
I think they will try to accomodate you as much as possible...(of course the need must be there)

As for ECC, I had also requested a small city and they gave me a few options to choose from. I didn't wind up accepting their offer as I went with AEON. But, they did let me put their offer on hold for 1 year and also asked if I wanted a different city.

Anyways, these were my experiences. Hope it helps somewhat.

As for advice...my experience with AEON overall has been positive so far. Everything that they said was pretty much true. I interviewed in Toronto, so it might be different in L.A.

Based on my own reasearch and what others have told me about their experiences...AEON and ECC seem to be the better ones. Note: with AEON you get a contract to sign before you leave, with ECC you don't actually sign your contract until you are in Japan. (I didn't really like that idea, plus from what I recall they don't pay your airfare home and you have to share an apt. With AEON, you get your own apt.)

I posted about this already (re: interview info) you can do a search.

Good luck!

Keep me posted.

[Geat]

Wow, thanks both of you for your responses!

I guess I'm not really looking for an assurance I'll get what I want, but more along the lines of personal experiences of others. And I think my parting comment was more an attempt to make conversation than a genuine request for information.

[stillnosheep]

Just to clarify. Aeon ask you what criteria you would to be met reg\arding your school and location and then get back to you with an offer (you can turn this down and refine your criteria if you don't think that you have expressed yourself clearly enough). Obviously the tighter your criteria the more difficulty Aeon will have in meeting it but no contracts are swopped until you are happy with the school/city offered!]

Hiya WD! Still tuffin it out in the friendly City with the big surf I see. Been up to Godaisan yet?

[worlddiva]

Yup...still kickin' in Koch'