Job Discussion Forums

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

when applying for and getting jobs in Japan as opposed to elsewhere in the world, are employers always after the golden one-year contract? Or do they hire for lesser amounts of time or simply indefinitely?

I am considering going to Japan with a 3-month Westgate contract and am wondering how feasible it is to walk into another job as soon as the 3 months end. As I am accompanying my partner, I will not be staying beyond a total of 12 months unfortunately.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

In Japan, nearly all efl contracts are for one year. Multiples of one year contracts together form a distant second. Westgate is the only employer in Japan I have heard of that offers less than 1 year contracts.

Whether a short contract is good depends on when it will finish. The golden time is for it to finish in late March, as that is when the vast majority of contracts in Japan start. Personally, I'd be reluctant to accept a contract in Japan that would be due to end at any other time. This is of course tempered by the fact that I am already here.

If you do accept such a contract, plan on starting your job search for the next job immediately. Three months is not a long time.

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

Remember your contract is largely governed by how long your work visa is. If you have a 3 month contract and finish it, your next employer will want you to sign a 1-year contract (i.e. 15 months total in Japan) as that is how long your visa from immigration will be. You dont say how long your initial visa is for, but its unlikely that any employer will take you on if you say you can only work six months into your new contract if you have a one year visa, and you will have to give two months notice if you plan to quit anyway.

Sherri · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2003 11:52 am Post subject:

What Paul says about your visa is really important. Can you find out from Westgate how long your visa will be good for? If you get a full year, then after you finish your Westgate contract, you can work elsewhere part time. It may turn out to be better for you in the long run. You can pick and choose your hours and pick up only the classes you are interested in teaching. There are lots of relatively short pt contracts around especially for people teaching business English in-house.

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

I do need to reask that specific question of Westgate - is it a 12 month working visa? From what I did ask I know it isn't a WHV and I just assume therefore that it would be a 12 month working visa as I haven't heard of anything shorter than 12 months.

Assuming it is a 12 month working visa, I would be able to apply for jobs with other companies with no worries? Or do I need to reapply for a visa with my new employer?

Judo · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 10

I`m with Westgate now. I got a 12 month visa. Some teachers are here for the three months, and returning home. Some are returning with Westgate for the next term. Some are staying in Japan at other jobs. I`ve enjoyed working with them, btw, although with my hours, location, and commute, it would have been difficult for me to look have looked for another job. Teachers at other schools - with a shorter commute or more central location - must have been able to though, since some have jobs lined up already.

Sherri · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2003 8:25 am Post subject:

BenJ
If you get a 12-month visa, you don't have to re-apply. Your visa is not tied to your employer. If you decide not to renew with Westgate (as Judo says you can--this could be a good option too), just remember to get a letter of release from them at the end of the contract. You may not need it but just in case you do decide to stay longer than 12 months, then you will need it to get a further renewal. If you just stay within the 12 months then you don't need to go to immigration for any visa-related purpose. You don't have to inform them that you have changed employers. I am sure that once you get here and talk to the other teachers you will learn of more job opportunities.

Just for the record a woman I worked with had only one month left of her contract before her 3-year visa ran out. She applied for a new visa with only 1 month left on her contract and she got the whole 3 years again, even though she didn't need it, she was going home after the contract finished.

A few years ago through interviewing former Westgate teachers I learned that they would give people "business visas" instead of proper work visas so they had no extra room to look for work after their contracts finished. I guess they got caught out and were forced to do things properly!
Sherri

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

thanks for the info - certainly seems more promising than other options I've looked at.

I asked about the renewing, but was told Westgate only operate the 3 month deal twice a year in Nagoya so there would be a 4 month wait in between contracts.

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

And what the hell do they expect you to do for four months with no job and a valid work visa? Who pays for your accomodation and where do you live when you are not working for them in the meantime? Teach privates perhaps?

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

well I gather I am supposed to go home - they provide the free airfare etc. The intention was not to employ something staying in Japan long term - I simply asked what if I were still available in Japan for the next 3 month stint.

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

What I was trying to say is that these large companies do is of maximum convenience to them and not to their teachers who work for them. The company's interests always come first, and then the teacher's interests come a distant second, hence the question about large gaps in the contract. If you work 3 months for them doing all the running around etc and want to work a second term, you are in for a LONG wait.