Job Discussion Forums

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

I am currently looking for jobs in Kagoshima and pretty much only Kagoshima. I have 15 different job websites i surf though on a regular basis and i am not finding squat for jobs there, anyone have any advice on what else I could be doing?

btw, i have a 4 year degree in TESOL and am leaving for Japan in Late February on a travel visa if I must.

Lucky

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

Are you actually IN Kagoshima applying in person? If not, don't hold your breath.

I don't know why so many people think that applying for an English-teaching job in Japan is so much different from applying for ANY other job at home. Virtually the same rules apply -- first and foremost, PHYSICAL PROXIMITY.

You may not be doing anything WRONG as such, but I know this from personal experience. Why should any company spend the time/money to carry out expensive and troublesome overseas telephone interviews, even going as far as to actually hire someone, when there's plenty of LOCAL competition among foreigners for the same jobs? In my experience, there has never been a shortage of applicants for English-teaching jobs, where the interviewee was not able to come to an actual, face-to-face interview. Right there, you are working with a severe disadvantage. Look at it from your prospective employer's perspective. If he MUST hire from abroad, he will -- but if he doesn't have to, he won't. And I'd venture to guess that over 90% of the jobs you see advertised are able to be filled by people who are A) already in the country B) may not need a work visa.

I cannot RECOMMEND for anyone to come to Japan without a job and pound the pavement once they get here, but I CAN say, that my wife and I spent MONTHS sending out resumes, calling employers in Japan, and getting only 1 ($hitty) telephone interview (which resulted in an actual offer that I turned down)... When we actually ARRIVED in Japan, we did the same thing -- sent out e-mail letters, resumes, made some phone calls on a prepaid cellphone we purchased for exactly that purpose, and ended up going to MANY job interviews (maybe about 5 or 6) and getting hired within 2 weeks. Again, results may vary, but actually being able to attend a face-to-face interview made all the difference. I don't know of any employers back home who would hire anything but locally either, so I can't be too surprised that Japan was any different.

query29 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 25

Jim,
Can you reccommend any areas to come and pound the pavement? I have a ba, little teaching experience, and about $4000 USD by late March?

query29 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 25

Sorry Lucky,
Just realised I hijacked your thread. Im new to forums as well Confused

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

I know that I should be in Japan before I start to apply for face to face interviews and i already have the ticket made for Feb.27th, what i am wondering is if there is any other decent way to look for jobs in the Kagoshima area, I have heard about the Japan times but i think that is only for the Tokyo area, just wondering if there is something like that or another tactic I can use when I get there that someone knows of.

Lucky

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

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

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

I mean something besides the internet for finding jobs in the Kagoshima area. I have been to those three sites and many more.

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

Lucky,
There seem to be very few publications (online or otherwise) that serve specific regions outside of Tokyo, and for obvious reasons (population). I have heard of none for Kyushu or Kagoshima. You are going to have to network a lot to find the jobs there.

BTW, ads placed in The Japan Times are not always just for the Tokyo area. I found 2 high school jobs in Sapporo advertised there. VERY rare for Hokkaido jobs, but still occasionally possible.

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

Indeed. Aside from the websites and newspapers, I know of a great resource -- but for that you would actually have to come not only to Japan, but to the city you want to live in.

Many cities have an "international centre" or "friendship centre". Very often they have bulletin boards where people can tack up for sale/ wtb posters, posters advertising events, classes, but also there tend to be a fair number of "help wanted" posters. If you came in person, that would probably be your only other resource.

chinagirl · Joined: 27 May 2003 Posts: 235 Location: United States

Before coming back to Japan I knew that I would be moving to a certain town, so I looked for local high schools and junior high schools and sent them my photo and CV, care of the English Department. One of them panned out and I am still here.

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

I tried looking for schools in the kagoshima area but i am haveing trouble finding any to tell the truth, how did you find yours china?

chinagirl · Joined: 27 May 2003 Posts: 235 Location: United States

I searched for any and all information I could in English about my town, and my current school came up because they have a sister school in America. Luckily for me, their weblinks were up to date.

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

http://www.osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp/educ/index-e.html
Luckycode,
Use the link above. It is to all schools in Japan. Kagoshima is in Kyushu2 section.

Wikipedia has these names. Use the names to search for web sites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_high_schools_in_Japan#Kagoshima

Private high school advertisements for jobs. in Japanese, but it's still a resource.
http://www.shigaku.or.jp/

Luckycode · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

thanks glenski