Job Discussion Forums

Brian Roang · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Denver, Colorado

My wife was offered a job in Chiba this fall and now I'm looking for one. I got turned down by all the big language schools because I need to live in a specific location. I'm trying to get a feel for the job market over there before deciding to move. How hard is it to go there, and then look for a job (teaching)? And for people who have tried it, do you feel it's worth the risk?

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

It is practically fall right now. Exactly when are you coming? There is a minor surge in hiring for October start dates, but then pretty much nothing until February.

I can't really say much about work opportunities in the Chiba area. Sorry.

Don't know anything about your qualifications and experience, either, so it's hard to judge your chances. Living on just your wife's salary (teaching???) would be very hard.

Whether it's "worth the risk" is up to you. You really have only about a dozen places that offer visa sponsorship AND hire from abroad, so if you want something lined up beforehand, you are severely limited from the start. Coming here with your wife would give you a dependent visa, and that means you could stay longer than on a 90-day tourist status. With the DV alone, you can't work, but if you file extra paperwork to request permission to work, you can legally work on it part-time. The choice would be yours later to stay on that, or to switch to a work visa that would allow full-time work (or to do either of these and take on private lessons).

Brian Roang · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Denver, Colorado

Ahh, thanks for the good info.

I had planned on coming in late November. But October sounds better.

My qualifications are: BA, teaching license, 3 yrs teaching experience, and TEFL certificate. Hopefully those would all increase my chances.

I guess a follow up question would be: Are companies more apt to hire a person who already has a work visa, or do most provide sponsorship?

You brought up another good point too, about living on my wifes salary. She'll be about 350,000 a month (close to 3000 usd, right?), is that "do-able" for two people?

Thanks again!!!

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

Yes it worth the risk.

First make sure you bring enough money, about 3000 - 4000$. Try to contact some schools before you get here and let them know when you will available for an interview.

Make sure your resume and cover letter is up to form. Use the stickies at the top of the Japan page for hints. Also some of the members here can help you if you ask really nicely.

Once you arrive get a pre-paid cellphone to make it easy for schools to contact you. I got one in Akihabara for about 30$, and then I just purchase "calling cards" as I need then. I be live you can purchase the phones at any 711b ut I am not sure about this.

If you check the various job boards, there are many jobs in and around Chiba. But more often and not you need to be here in order to interview in person.

Do a search on this forum, this has been discuss quite a bit lately.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=27865

Cheers

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

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

Brian,
October is better than November, but not by much. October is the START time for that small surge in jobs, not the interview time. You will have to realize this, and REALLY work hard to get a job. Scour every resource you can, and learn the lay of the land, geographically as well as professionally.

With a teaching license, you may seem overqualified for some eikaiwas, as Paul wrote, but don't let that deter you from applying. Also, a license such as that is what international schools require, so see if they are hiring, even for PT work until April, when the school terms begin.

I agree that 350,000 will probably be enough for 2 to live on. Depends on what other expenses you have, of course.
1. Car? This involves gasoline (129 yen/liter on average as of today), insurance, shaken (a mandatory safety inspection), and mandatory parking.

2. Bills back home? Mortgage, student loans, credit cards, etc.

3. Lifestyle/Entertainment expenses. Until you come here, you really will have to just take people's word for it, and even though many will claim life is expensive here, there ARE ways around some higher expenditures. Cable TV, movies (1800 yen each, except on certain days and times), video rentals, clubbing/drinking, travel (you won't have time for that much), souvenirs, etc. Look at the thread labeled "cheapskates" that I started for some good (and some wacky) ways to save.

4. Medical insurance. Don't know what plan you are going to use. National health insurance is good even if it pays for 70-80% of your expenses. Some foreign plans pay 100% but you have to pay the entire cost up front and wait to get reimbursed.

5. Phone calls back home. Some people use phone cards. Some call direct. Some use the Internet for audio/video phone calls (free).

Brian Roang · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Denver, Colorado

Wow, thanks for all the great responses. Good information to keep in mind!

bailey35mm · Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:09 am Post subject:

The simple answer is that it isn`t easy, but it`s not impossible. As Glenski said it depends on the time of year that you come. The late winter-early spring is the best time. I came here without a job(but to be fair I only had to wait a few weeks for a spouse visa) and I got one after 4 interviews about 10 minutes drive from my apartment. Good luck.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I live　in Chiba and think it has one of the better job markets for teachers in Japan. It's not a very interesting place to live, but there are jobs here. Even if you have a hard time finding one, you might have a little luck getting private lessons. You also might try MIL. They are a Chiba only eikaiwa chain, and they tend to like people with qualifications.

On a side note, many conversation schools are looking for single people because they want you to live in the apartments they provide. Being married will be a mark against you.

Your wifes job seems to have a good salary and will be worth taking a chance on.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

The two of you living on your wife's salary should be just-about do-able (outside of Tokyo(?)). Getting a job with your qualifications should be no problem.

Go for it.

johanne · Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 189

With your qualifications you could get a job at an international school where the salary can be 50-100% higher than conversation schools, but then again the workload is also significantly higher (report cards, parent meetings, etc.). They tend to hire in January/February for September starts, but they are always looking for substitutes, although I'm not sure what sub salaries are like.