Job Discussion Forums

Lady0424 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 39

Hey all...just curious...why do most schools prefer applicants residing in Japan? The first thing that comes to mind is that maybe they might want to meet you in person to interview with you? But let's say if you ARE residing in Japan and the position you're applying for is in Hokkaido but you're somewhere in Fukuoka or Miyazaki, I see the chances of somebody making a costly trip just for a personal interview are slim- unless the job is amazing and is something that just can't be passed up.

Maybe they think that because you're in Japan, you have a visa already (much easier for the employer but most offer visa sponsorship and renewals) but I'm sure there are plenty who still have work status left in their visa after they've left the country (like me).

Or they think that you might break your "contract" before you start the job, if you're outside of Japan? Like the whole...oh I'm back in my home country now and it's comfy...the thought of packing a years worth of stuff and lugging it to Japan is too much of a hassle. But what if you can show proof that you have a ticket bought already before they offer you the contract?

Or maybe it has to do with residency? I know it's hard to find housing if you're not in Japan but truthfully, I've had luck outside of Japan in finding housing and there are plenty of temporary housing available (like gaijin houses).

I don't get it. Any ideas?

VanKen · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Calgary, AB Canada

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

If you are already here, it shows a commitment to finding work. Many people, for financial reasons or otherwise, want an employer to pay their way here.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

If the applicant is already in Japan, usually the applicant has already had a job in Japan or even has a current job and is looking for something beginning when the current contract finishes and therefore probably has some idea of what Japan is like, and maybe even some Japanese language ability.

Within Japan itself, foreign people who are married to Japanese people are often gven higher priority than people who aren't (all other things being equal- level of training and experience etc) because it shows that they are serious about staying in Japan.

sethness · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hiroshima, Japan

1) if you're already here, you probably already hava work visa, and probably only need to change visa-sponsors, which is easy compared to creating a new visa.

2) there's the possibility of a face-to-face interview

3) there's far less possibility of the hired person wigging out and saying "I didn't know it'd take so much money to move... " or "I thought Japan would be fun, but I wanna go home....", etc.

4) If someone's already here and already working in an English school, there's no question that the employee is at least minimally qualified, doesn't have a police record or facial tattoos or smell & dress like a gorilla, etc.