Job Discussion Forums

[Deicide]

I am an expatriated New Yorker currently working in the sewer pit of Asia (also known as Korea, specifically Ulsan) as an English Teacher (Babysitter). My contract doesn't expire until the middle of July 2007, so I have a while to go. I feel the need however to plan long in advance to get out of this shithole and I definitely want to head to Japan next year. I obviously want to swing something in Japan. Some things I have heard about are JET (the best option) and otherwise private institutions. Unfortunately I don't have a masters, which would prevent me from getting a uni position. What are my options and how should I best go about it? I would like to do the JET thing but with the weird application process I don't know if I could fly out to the nearest place for an interview (Hawaii) given work constraints here. I have no real holiday so I can't just piss off and fly off. Also I know Japan is MUCH more expensive than Korea (its only redeeming feature). Any and all advice from ESL expats or Japan experts or people who have already made the graceful transition from Korea to Nippon would be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance to all, Deicide....

[Glenski]

I have to wonder why you are looking 11.75 months in advance. You seem to have barely made a dent in a year's contract before you decide Korea is so terrible. Will any other country be different?

As for Japan, the JET Program doesn't even accept applications until November, with deadline in December. If you make it past that, an interview will be in your home country in February. If you pass muster, you will be notified in April or May, and you will have to fly to Japan with the other successful applicants in July OR August.

As for other places, if you stay in Korea, don't plan on getting hired here. Except for the rare (and potentially risky) places that interview by phone, nobody hires a candidate blind, and they certainly don't go to Korea to conduct interviews, so you have 2 more options other than JET:
1. Go home and get an interview with the few places that recruit in a native English speaking country. Be prepared to pay your own expenses for a 1-3 day interview.

2. Come to Japan where your opportunities are larger. March is prime hiring season for April start dates.