Job Discussion Forums

[shoosh]

Hey everyone.

I've recently decided to try and find a position in Osaka or in the surrounding area. I'm just curious now as to what the next step is when looking for a contract? Is there anything I should know first?

I read about those 4 companies, Aeon, Geos and I can't remember the others now. Do I have to hook up with one of those guys?

[markle]

Aside from the obvious (I hope that you don't need to be told) try looking at opportunities in places such as ohayosensei and kansai flea market.

[Glenski]

Are you actually in Osaka or the surrounding area, or are you still in your home country?

[shoosh]

Ok I didn't understand wtf the first guy said in his reply As for the second person, I am still in my home country (Canada). I've just decided that I would like to work in or around Osaka. I am wondering what people do next. When I was reading on here a little while ago Someone explained about the 4 types of companies, Aeon, GEOS, and 2 other big ones. I guess these are the companies that most people hook up with (that's what I gathered from his post but I could be wrong). But now that I have decided where I want to go what is the next step?

[Gordon]

If you get hired by one of the big language schools in Japan, THEY tell you where you will live, not the other way around. You can put in a request, but it is really about where teachers are needed. Don't assume you will get your first or second or third choice. Your first step is to actually get hired, not where you want to live, unless of course you get hired by a small school that only has 1 or 2 branches.

[shoosh]

So in your opinion then, would you think it is better just to look for independent contracts either on this website, or on the globaltesol.com website (I took my course through them so they grant me access to their job boards which are similar to here)?

I think the thing that concerns me is that if I were to hook up with a smaller branch I'm thinking it would be less secure than if I went with one of the bigger companies. But for all I know the bigger companies would just have more experience screwing people over

Maybe the better idea is to look at what's offered and not go through one of the big corporations neccessarily. When you get hired doe sthe company not provide you with a person like a "guide" who can show you around, help you do your daily routines (like go to the store to help you buy groceries) and stuff like that? A few people in my TESOL class said that's what happens, but some people on here say that's not always the case.

[wintersweet]

Check the FAQs for information on places to look for jobs, such as Ohayo Sensei. ( http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=4129 ) Kansai Flea Market isn't listed there but you can google it.

[Apsara]

It is definitely not always the case that you have someone take you to the supermarket and show you around when you first arrive in Japan. If you come with one of the big chain schools like Nova you will be met at the airport, taken to your apartment and given a whole lot of information booklets on how things work. The rest you have to figure out on your own.

Supermarkets in Japan operate on a very similar concept to those in North America anyway so I'm sure you'll be okay!

[markle]

[G Cthulhu]

[stillnosheep]

The second step after deciding where to teach?

Deciding what to teach!

[Glenski]

I was not going to make a comment like G Cthulhu, but as long as the door is open...
GlobalTesol is your choice, and they have been discussed here before, not in a very positive way, especially when it comes to job hunting. Basically, I seem to recall that they nearly promise you to land a job, but the hidden caveat is that you must do all of your job hunting their way, using their form letter, putting their recommended information on the resume and cover letter, etc. If you don't do all that, and you fail to get a job, you can't ask for your money back. That's their "money back guarantee".

Anyway, just so you know.

Now, as for job hunting itself. You have decided on Osaka. Ok. Again, that's your choice. The next step, now that we know you aren't physically there, is to find the ads for Osaka companies. You are qualified for 2 types of work, maybe 3:

1) conversation schools (like GEOS, NOVA, ECC, AEON, etc.)
2) ALT work through dispatch agencies or JET Programme or Earlham College's program similar to JET (JET's hiring process for 2007-08 is finished)
3) direct hire in a public school (probably your least likely chance because of the rarity of such positions, the fact that you have to interview in Japan, and your lack of experience)

Where do you look for the ads? Well, markle told you 2 places:
Kansai Flea Market www.kfm.com (This is updated weekly.)
www.ohayosensei.com (newsletter put out twice a month)

Another is the Kansai Time Out magazine http://www.kto.co.jp
Use the Internet address, or buy the paper edition.

Another is the Kansai Scene http://www.kansaiscene.com/classifieds.shtml


If you don't come here to look for work, you are stuck with about a dozen or so places that recruit from abroad. Most of that dozen will come to your country on their scheduled dates in a very few cities, so you have to pay expenses to attend the interviews (1-3 days long). The ones that don't come here but that recruit abroad might offer a phone interview. Take that for what it's worth, but bear in mind what you are missing by not being able to see people who interview you, see your potential office and coworkers, etc.

If you come here, you increase the number of opportunities for finding work, but it will be expensive, and you should time things right to avoid looking at a dead time. Most hires take place in March for April start dates, even at eikaiwas. Be prepared to come and search for 1-2 months, which means having the equivalent of US$4000-5000 on you. Your first paycheck may not come for a month or more after the day you start work. Some employers will loan money to you, but that's your option to take it and be indebted to them for housing, a job, and a loan all at once. You will repay it in your first 2-3 paychecks, and likely as not you will be living on a lower than usual probationary salary during that time anyway, so it could be tight the first couple of months after you are hired.

[canuck]

http://www.kfm.to/

[Glenski]

canuck,
Thanks for that correction on my typo!