Job Discussion Forums

Heba · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Vancouver, BC

Hey guys.... So this is my first ever posting and I don't really know where to begin. I have been teaching here in Vancouver after taking my CELTA for a few months now. I need to leave home and travel and live somewhere new. I am really interested in Japan...certain parts more than others... Okinawa, Osaka, Kyoto?. South Korea...Pusan sounds appealing.

My question to all of you is : Where should I be looking? How should I start applying? Do you guys have some advice that may get this process up and running sooner....

I would love to start working somewhere in January 2006.

[email protected]

Cheers,
Hebs Cool

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

If you are interested in Japan, perhaps you should post in the Japan forum, too.

What sort of degree do you have?
What sort of climate do you like/hate?

Coming to Japan, you are likely only going to get entry level work for a year, and after that it's up to you.

Getting a visa alone takes 4-8 weeks, so you are going to be hard-pressed to find an employer, interview (probably in his home country, not yours), and take care of storing your life's belongings before going there. Not many jobs start in January in Japan. You are better off looking for work to start in April.

If you can't come to Japan to interview, you are limited to a dozen places or so that recruit from overseas and sponsor work visas. That means you are also limited to their recruiting schedules and locations.

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

Heba · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Vancouver, BC

Hi- Thanks to Glenski and Paulh for the replies.

My degree is in Visual Arts/Dance. I love the heat hate the cold. I grew up in Kuwait (hot) then went to uni in Ontario (cold)...so I guess I can deal with both. I am a sun lover though.

Making money is obviously something I am interested in doing but I don't really have a set salary in mind. I make around $2500 CDN take home a month here which is working out for me as I am paying off those dreaded Student Loans.

I understand that the visa process etc takes a long time and I was thinking that I might just go travel while looking and applying for jobs. Or is that not a wise plan? I am not generally picky...I have pulled off quite a few extensive backpacking trips. I enjoy a good adventure.

I would prefer to stay away from the major cities (busy). I like a relaxed atmosphere.

Thanks for taking the time to throw me suggestions.
Heba

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

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

Heba,
Is that degree a bachelor's degree? If so, you are as qualified to get work here as most other newcomers. You could land work in a conversation school at 250,000 yen/month or on the JET Program at 300,000 yen/month.

So, now the question is, do you have the time/money to come here to job hunt, or not? If not, you're limited to JET and the ten or so conversation schools that hire from overseas and sponsor visas.

To come here, you'll need about US$4000 in your pocket to cover expenses for a couple of months while you hunt.

JET hires only once a year, and the application process is rather lengthy, with applications being accepted in December, interviews in February, acceptance notices sent in April/May, and flights in July/August.

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

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Heba, I'll echo what the others have already said. Try to line up a job first. I know Geos has an office in Vancouver, so perhaps the paperwork can get done a little faster.

Other than Okinawa, it is cold everywhere in Japan in the winter. Not so much as the daytime temps are so low, but that the houses are so poorly insulated. You'll quickly learn whay everyone takes a bath before bed.

By the way, where did you do your CELTA? I did mine at Kwantlen in Richmond.