Job Discussion Forums

silent-noise · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 37

i'm looking on their website on how to apply...and it looks like i can either fill out and submit their online form, or email them my documentation...however, the latter asks for a personal intro letter, reccommendations, and a short essay...whereas the form just asks for a resume and photo...which one should i do?

stretch · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 59

I never sent them any references if that's what recommendations means?

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

rue_meridian · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 18 Location: Scotland

I just applied to ALTIA and have an interview in London next month. I wrote a cover letter and essay. Cover letter was a 1/2 page and essay was about a page. I'd say spend some good time on those two things. I spent a couple of days going over them. I would recommend those two documents. I didn't have any letters of reference but did provide e-mail addresses of two former workers that would e-mail references for me.

Good Luck

Rue

silent-noise · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 37

thanks for the tips...i'll be working on this app this weekend...as well as my JET one...man, that's a monster...

hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

Rue_Meridien,

Let us know how your ALTIA interview in London went. I'm considering applying with them for next year.

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

Is this the same Altia company based in Nagoya? I didn't know they were recruiting internationally now.

stretch · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 59

If you get into JET go for it. It's the same setup but more pay and more perks.

spidey · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:30 am Post subject:

I am currently employed with Altia.

No problems. No hang ups. And a good reputation to back it up.

I would recommend them to anyone looking to try the ALT experience.

S

nomadder · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:29 pm Post subject:

What about expenses though such as getting to an interview(none in my country) and isn't the apartment empty? I think you pay for the flight too and the salary is the lowest possible. Aren't most jobs in the countryside and are you the only foreign teacher? On the plus side they do seem very nice.

tsunatuna · Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Japan

I know this thread is old, but ...

Squire22 · Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shizuoka, Japan

More important than letters of recommendation at the application stage is the essay. What do they want to see? Perhaps you should ask yourself that question, what is it that they do, what kind of people might they be looking for, do you think in a similar way to they do judging from their website, what is it you think the job is, what can you offer? All these kinds of questions are what they'll be looking for you answer.

They want to see that you have a genuine interest in the job, that you care about education, that you want to be involved in the students' lives, that you recognise that your role goes beyond just teaching English in the classroom and how that also benefits the students. That you are aware of the issues involved in teaching children, mixed levels, mixed backgrounds, social issues. That when things don't work out as you plan, you have the ability to handle the situation and not break down. They also want to see that you can cope on your own living in a foreign country (If you don't already live in Japan). These kinds of things are what they want to see.

Send a resume and a short cover letter with your essay, recommendations can come later, you might even choose to put a line in your cover letter along the lines of "letters of recommendation can be provided upon request".

Best of luck

tsunatuna · Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Japan

Thanks a lot I'll try and hope they won't ignore my application because of this Wink

pest2 · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 170

I applied with them and more or less got hired (waiting to go). They are pretty thorough about their process compared to other places I've interviewed with. To get an interview, you will need to fill out your application/essay and provide a resume. During the interview, they ask alot of questions relating to why you want to go to Japan, How you feel about teaching, and they like it if you know some Japanese (but not essential). If you dont have any thing ready at the interview, they'll just tell you to send it to them as soon as possible thereafter.

tsunatuna · Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Japan

I doubt they'll ask my why I want to come to Japan as I'm already in Japan and have been working here for 1 year.
My Japanese abilitiy is not yet 2kyuu, but I can have conversations in Japanese which I can prove in any interview, too, of course.

Like I said all I'm worried about is that recommendation thingie.

Thanks for your feedback Smile