Job Discussion Forums

tsneds01 · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:36 am Post subject: Coming before landing a job

Greetings

Just wanted to post my plans to see if there are any who have "been there,done that."

My contract here in China ends in June,I then plan on going to Japan and pounding the pavement for an ESL instructor position there. I have a B.A. in Education and a TESOL certificate. I also have basic Japanese and Intermediate Mandarin abilities.

My questions would be on the subjects of accomodations,best cities to go to for ESL jobs,Visa issues (when should I apply for my tourist visa?)where to look when I get to my target city,and any other sage advice you may be able to offer.

Thanks for your help

earthmonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 188 Location: Meguro-Ku Tokyo

I came without a job four years ago. So, yes, "been there, done that". I decided where I wanted to live, Tokyo. I scoured the web, mostly here and gaijinpot to find openings. I managed to arrange an interview from the U.S. I came to Japan and moved into a room in an apartment which someone was advertising on an apartment sharing message board. I didn't want to stay in a guest house. Tourist visa is stamped on your passport at the airport, no need to apply. Luckily I got that job. If I hadn't, I'd have continued searching the net and the Monday edition of the Japan Times.

I can't stress enough the Importance of coming here with plenty of money, enough to live for two to three months (maybe $3,000). Read the FAQs and search here for plenty of info on expenses.

Also recommend getting a cell phone as soon as you arrive. Perspective employers will need to contact you. On a tourist visa you can't get a regular account, but you can get a prepaid phone.

Good luck.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Earthmonkey has given you excellent advice. I would advise you to seek out the bilingual houses in your city of choice for accomadation. You will meet people like yourself and you will have an address to go along with that phone number. I believe shared rooms go for 30,000 yen, at least they used to.

1. get a phone
2. get a place
3. get a sponsor (job)
4. get a work visa
5. you are there!

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes,
s

tsneds01 · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:50 am Post subject:

Thanks guys,great tips! Glad to know that all I need to go is my passport and enough cash. I should have about $5,000 to work with. Also,I'mstill trying to establish a job before I go,I'm just getting plan b in order.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

No worries! You are bound to find openings left by people going on holiday, usually turns into a position, too.
What city are you thinking of?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

tsneds01 · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 9:52 am Post subject:

I've narrowed it down to 3 cities, Yokohama,Osaka,or Tokyo.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Osaka will be tough to find something decent during the time you're coming. In addition, the heat and humidity is going to shock you. Be prepared to go to lots of interviews and pass on the cr*p. Avoid Zenken/ZIAC at all costs and just do a search on the forum about other stuff. The best way to find a good job in Osaka is to know someone.

tsneds01 · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 1:30 am Post subject:

O.K. Thanks to your feedback it's now between Tokyo and Yokohama. With Tokyo in the lead by a nose!

earthmonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 188 Location: Meguro-Ku Tokyo

Tokyo and Yokohama are nearly connected. I live in Tokyo on the Toyoko (Tokyo-Yokohama) train line. It's about 30 minutes and 260 yen from Shibuya (a major station in Tokyo) to Yokohama station. I'd say come to Tokyo. Get into a guest house to begin with. Then when you find your job, in either Tokyo or Yokohama or Chiba or Kawasaki or Saitama, etc., find a place to live near there.

The differences are, as I see it:

Tokyo has everything a city can have, but access to nature is a little inconvienient.

Yokohama is cheaper, rent wise, and nearer to beaches.

tsneds01 · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:40 am Post subject:

Turns out that I have landed a phone interview with Westgate scheduled for this Friday. I've read lots about them here but I could'nt seem to find any info on the phone interview,anybody privy tothis info?

tsneds01 · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:14 am Post subject:

I have received the book "Ganbatte Means Go For It!" written in 2002 by Celeste Heiter and in it she states "Round trip airfare is recommended because you may not be allowed entry into Japan on a 90-day landing permit (tourist visa)with a one way plane ticket. A good suggestion is to buy a round trip ticket to Seoul,with an extended stopover in Tokyo. Once you've found a job,use the Tokyo-Seoul-Tokyo segment of the ticket to go to South Korea to get you work visa."

Is this till accurate in 2006?

Thanks for your help

Tim

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

You no longer need to leave the country to get your visa

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

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