Job Discussion Forums

markosonlines · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Ise

I'm looking for ALT positions for Chiba-ken starting in April. I've thought about going through Interac but I like getting paid on time, etc. Plus I'd rather not deal with a third party (if possible). What other options do I have other than checking all the web sites (already doing) canvassing a bunch of them (contemplating this) or waiting until March when they suddenly realise their current ALT is leaving. I want to establish something as early as possible to avoid stress and so I can arrange my own accommodation. Oh, I'm already in Japan.

Also, does anyone know if ALTIA recruit for the Chiba region? I've heard good things about them but I'm set on going to Chiba.

Any other advice on good jobs in Chiba and how to get them would be appreciated.

Markos

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

When not going through a company like Interact, how much can you expect to recieve as payment. Seems like the interact contracts pay between 250k and 280k. Getting directly hired like Mark is suggesting ups that by how much? I'm unfamiliar with the working for Interac. I heard they pay late, but do teachers with them get the long paid holidays as well?

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

I was an ALT for 3 years and the 280,000 yen figure was my take home.

Few if any BOE's wil hire you dirrectly while in Japan to be a FT ALT.

They don't want to look after your paper work for taxes, healthcare, possible subsidized APT etc.

Anyway, JET provides subsidized ALT's and Interac easily disposable ones if things don't work out.

Check out ALTIA. I take it you've located their website. They might be able to guarantee an apartment for you.

You're on the right track by avoiding eikaiwa. The ALT gig would be much better.

Whatever you do don't work for Interac. Any employer who doesn't pay on time is obviously not worthy of your time!

What are you waiting for? Go for it!

Mark · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 500 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

I was a JET working for the Narashino Board of Education. Narashino is next to Funabashi.

Yeah I'm sure they have something Chiba. Just send in your resume with cover letter and ask about a Chiba placement in the interview.

Though you might have missed the boat a little as the last round of hiring would have been in late August with the positions starting in September.

As far as being an ALT in Tokyo, as far as I know, the JET program doesn't send them there as the public ward BOE's hire on their own. Private schools hire dirrectly or from from dispatching companies, like Interac.

I also imagine the number of qualifed teachers, with Japan experience, might make it difficult for you to find an ALT gig.

But who knows!

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

I have worked for both Interac and currently for Altia. As far as I am aware, Altia does not currently have any ALTs in the Tokyo area. There are ALTs in the Nagoya area (including all surrounding prefectures) and in Hiroshima.

Interac does send ALTs to most areas in Japan. However, I would avoid them. They are at least as bad as their rep suggests.

There are, contrary to an earlier poster, many BoEs that hire ALTs directly. However, they don't consider ALTs unless that teacher has already been teaching in Japan for at least a year. I think this is because if any problems do arise, they'll have to deal with it themselves, so they prefer to pick those who have at least survived the initial culture shock phase.

markosonlines · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Ise

Lazjar,

When you say the BoE want a years experience in Japan I take it eikaiwa exp is okay??? Also do you have any tips for applying direct to the BoE as I am heading to Chiba and want to avoid Interac and the eikaiwas. My girlfriend has got me some addresses and can knock up a Japanese resume if that would help and I'm chasing up a colleague hoping he puts a word in for me where he is. Aside from that........

Markos

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

Bear in mind that the BoEs do not have any standardisation imposed from above when hiring ALTs directly, so there is a huge amount of variation. The only fixed requirement is that which is necessary for a valid visa.

I can't see any particular reason why eikaiwa work experience would be seen as inferior by a BoE; experience in an actual school environement is better, all other things being equal.

The other catch with BoE direct hires is that these positions aren't always advertised widely, if at all. In some cases, they'll take an ALT from Altia, Interac, etc, and, if they like the performance after a year or two, ofer direct employment then. Unless you happen to know someone working at a school who is leaving, and that person puts in a word for you, getting a direct hire position is a long-shot.

You occassionally get people on www.bigdaikon.com saying they are about to leave a teaching job (there was one leaving a job in Shikoku last week, vacancy might still be open), and asking interested parties to contact them.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I live in Chiba and I work as an ALT in a private high school. Direct hire positions seem to be very rare now. If you speak fluent Japanese and have the right connections then there are possibilities. I have/had neither.

You will notice in the Japan Times in Feb. and March several smaller companies which dispatch ALT's to schools. I work for one of those. The positions, however, don't appear until the last minute.

Eikaiwa experience is better than no experience, but the market is so flooded that interviews do not come as quickly as you might expect. Companies like Interac, despite all it's faults, are a handy stepping stone into the ALT world.

Please be warned, not a day goes buy when I don't miss my big 3 eikaiwa job. Ok that's not true. I was quite happy in my present position in August when I didn't go to work. But a day working at a good eikaiwa job is far better than a day working in a Japanese high school, at least the one I work at.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Hate to say it, but yep, but I agree with Guest of Japan on this one. Interac is poorly organized, rules by intimidation and has a habit of changing the rules on its employees.

But Interac is still a good way to get your foot in the door. In the Japan Times a few weeks ago, the Chiba office was begging for people to apply to positions just south of Chiba City. Boonies, but still only about an hour train ride from Tokyo station on the express.