Job Discussion Forums

[HappyPizza]

Hello fellow teachers,


Wow, Koreas reputation seems to be catching on. he? Well, I've been here nearly four years, and I am ready to go. My tempermant is not able to be steady at a level that suggests "Just finish it out..........numb your brain...........finish it out......numb your brain". It is time to move on to other things, otherwise, I am going to go crazy, forgetting that life IS fun.

With this being said, I have occasionally read the Japan boards. I am somewhat worried about the move, if I actually do ti. I am not going to have a bunch of money in the beginning......possibly $2000. I know that can count against me, but I came to Korea with only $30 in my pocket........so, I do have a level of optomism.......that is, until you gusy say it can't be done.

Anyway, I am not counting on the fact that my experience here will benefit me in Japan, in terms of a higher salary. Fine........I'll accept that. Currently, I work in a public elementary school. If I get to Japan, I would not mind working in a private English school again.........smaller classes, more interaction with the students (I currently teach 22 DIFFERENT CLASSES A WEEK HERE.......EACH CLASS ONLY ONCE.....but, many of us do that).

In regars to location, I am not picky. I could work in fairly small sized city/town, but I need access to the big ones. I need interaction with other foreigners at some point.

So.....................has anyone here just shown up with a couple thousand dollars, and did the pownd the pavement routine? Or, has anyone been hired overseas, perhaps a similiar situation as me (I did have an opportunity, but the job invovled teaching babies, and changing diapers......no phucking way).

I have had my mind on Japan for awhile now, and if I don't do it, then I'll regret it. The problem is here, is that I feel like Korea is sucking the life out of me. I am sad, moody, and overall unhappy. I lost it with a Korean teacher this past Friday, because she for some reason, failed to mention that one of the students in my class is retarted...........the one whom I sat with for 10 minutes trying to get an answer (he looked normal to me). Then, she would not answer as to why she did not tell me this......bad day, bad week, bad moment................but, it is evident that my time in Korea is coming to a close.

I still love the job though. I love teaching elementary students, and kindergarten as well........and I'm farily good at it. I just...............being here has really started to affect me now.......................


Any advice, suggestions? Anyone personally know of a good, small school that needs an experienced teacher who is ready for a change? Has anyone given Korea the finger, hoped on the ferry with a couple grand in their pockets and been successfull? Is it common?

Any help would be great.

Thanks guys.

happypizza

[Glenski]

I assume you have a bachelor's degree. Sadly, your experience in Korea will usually get overlooked in Japan, so you'll probably have to start at the bottom rung of the ladder. Don't let that dissuade you, though. Give some other employers a shot and see if they value experience outside of Japan.

The problem is that you are likely going to have to be here. Some employers will do phone interviews, but nobody seems to be listing their names. I know Westgate Corporation does, and David English House. If other people know more names, please add them to this list, or just PM me so that they don't clutter the thread.

Having $2000 (I assume that's American dollars) will be hard, in my opinion. General advice is to plan to support yourself for 2-3 months, and that kind of money won't really do.
50,000-80,000 yen/month for lodging
roughly 10,000 yen setup for a cell phone
30,000 yen for food
20,000-25,000 yen for local transportation
TOTAL = 110,000 to 145,000 yen just for the first month, and that doesn't include dry cleaning and coin laundry, postage (for mailing resumes), Internet cafes (if you don't get or want home Internet service), transportation outside of the local lines, photocopying (of resumes and cover letters), haircut, etc. (and certainly any entertainment!).

When do you plan to come?

[HappyPizza]

Hey, someone actually responded. I was about to give up hope.

Wow...........I know Japan is expensive, and brining a good whad of start up cash is always a good idea.


Well, I am not worried about getting a job. I have confidence in my teaching abilities. Yes, I have my Bachelors Degree, and I will have a TESOL/and TEYL certifcation pretty soon. So, I think my scrounging abilities will be ok.

I know I need to pick an area, and go there. I have considered Fukuoka, seeing as how it is just a hop and a skip from here. And, getting there is not expensive. Of course, I would have to be prepared to stay in some sort of lodging, but..............................does anyone have an average time frame in regards how long it takes to get a job? I am aware that it depends on how many resumes you send out, how many interviews you go to, etc.

If I have to start somewhere at the bottom, that is fine. I'm just not going to teach babies, and chang diapers. No sir.....none of that for me. I would love to interview for ECC, and some of the others, but they have their interviews in which I see as the most inconvenient places.

But, I would just like to find a small, low key private English school. That way, I can have a plethra of interaction with the kids, do some good lessons, work with a few good foreign teachers, some good Japanese staff...........and have what I did not have during my four years in Korea.............an overall good experience.

But, again.....location. I'm pretty flexible on it, and that should give some advantage. Of course, I guess a good place to start would be Osaka, Naggoya, etc? However, I don't want to be swallowed up, just another number. But, I guess that can happen anywhere you teach.


I did the interview process with Westage a couple of years ago......I did not get it, obviously.............ouch. I called and asked why, and I was told I had too much experience..............

David's English, eh?

Anyway, I am not exactly sure when I will be coming. I have to make sure that I AM coming. I have to decide, without a shadow of a doubt, that this is what I want to do. But, when I think of living here in Korea for longer than I have to (I have chest pains), I cringe...................


So, does anyone have any stories about how long it took them to get a job when they showed up?


Thanks everyone.......or.........one.


happypizza

[AndyH]

First of all, good luck to you!
I left Korea for Japan with roughly the same amount of money, and did fine. But, I had a job lined up before I made the move. I strongly suggest that you do the same, if it's possible.
If you have experience in Korea, it will help you secure employment, but like Glenski mentioned you'll probably have to start at the "bottom of the ladder", which really isn't that bad!
I know what you mean about "Korea sucking the life" out of you. Come to Japan! You probably won't regret it!

[Glenski]

[HappyPizza]

I said I would "CONSIDER" Fukuoka.................I believe that can fall under the category of being flexible.......just as I would consider there places.


I guess I am used to the korea forum, where you can hve 20 replies in a matter of 20 minutes............................and as far as me losing hope after four hours..............well, refer back to me being used tothe korea forum


Well, I probably will not interview for the big ones anyway.........unless I had to..............and I'm not too optomstic about flying to the States just to have an interview. In addition, I want to work at a school that is not obsessed with sales, and customer service. I am an ESL instructor, not a salesman.

Anyway, as I've said I just need to make sure that this is what I am going to do.

I would like to be able to have more than $2000 to take with me, but I think it will have to do...........

Thanks for any and all advice.

happypizza

[fruitcake]

[HappyPizza]

Yes, I went to Cambodia recently.....................

Well, I am not going to wait a year, much less 6 months to come to Japan. If thought I could handle being in Korea for another 6 months, then fine........but I can't.

So, I am thinking three. Then, I'll pack..............hop on the ferry to Fukuoka and go from there. I think I"ll now where I'll be heading by then. With a little luck on my side (ok, more than a little) I'll get that job.


happypizza