Job Discussion Forums

[Seibu]

Some advice...

I'm moving to Tokyo on April 19th sans work visa and job. Already purchased the ticket. Non-refundable. The big kicker is, I only have Y350,000 to my name. A friend is loaning me an empty apartment in Tokyo for the first month free of charge while I look.

The more I research the job boards, I'm coming to the realization that landing a gig without the visa will be a huge hurdle. I've spoken to some of the bigger schools and have been informed I'll need to wait possibly two months for papers to clear. If this is the case, hiding in a cheap country (Cambodia) in the meantime is an option.

What are some opinions? Should I try and put this off a bit longer when I have more saved up or just go for it? I actually have 8 years ESL experience so I'm not really worried about finding work, rather surviving before the first check.

I have a feeling I'm setting myself up for disaster.

[Glenski]

That time frame is when most jobs will have been taken for the major hiring season (March), so you may have to scramble for work, but then again, you may run into many situations where someone bails out on an employer at the last minute.

Realize that even with your experience, you may very likely have to take entry level work (conversation school or dispatch ALT).

Don't limit yourself to the big companies (not all of them interview in Japan anyway; most prefer not to).

Come with a plan already fixed as who to contact, and let them know in advance when you are coming.

[Seibu]

Thanks.

Believe it or not, I sent resumes to Nova and Aeon back in November and never received a response.

Vietnam looks much easier to break into on minimal savings.

[CaseyG]

Look at job postings here on Dave's ad at Gaijinpot.com

There are some schools and placement agencies in Japan that are in a rush to have teachers by around April 6th. Of course, you are arriving some ten days after that, but the point is that a number of these places still haven't filled these positions only a week before the schools start.

Also, having a free place for a month, you should be able to line up a fair amount of private lessons, and save money.
This is mainly conjecture based on the reasearch I have been doing. I have been offered positions with Nova, and a couple public school placement agencies (that's how I know about their desperation). I may have no idea what I am talking about.

Also, gaijinpot.com has apartment listings, so you can get an idea of what you're going to be paying in rent after your first month. But not having to pay rent the first month is a big bonus. Just eat cheap and live cheap that 1st mo.

Good luck.

[canuck]

[Glenski]

[southofreality]

Have to agree with Glenski. 2 Applications and 2 rejections may give you a 100% rejection rate, but you haven't applied enough for that rate to mean much. When you get to 100 applications and 100 rejections, then the negative 100% rate means something.
If you're determined and qualified, you should be able to land an entry-level job from home.

[heathergray]

Why would a teacher with 8 years of teaching EFL get an entry level job in Japan? What!? Because the employer is uncomfortable w/o a work visa? Please explain. As someone with ZERO years of teaching EFL this is worrying. Ha.

[Seibu]

Heather...

Let me clarify something first in regards to the 'entry level' job comment.

There's actually a bit more to the story. When I first lived in Japan way back in 1997...I initially came over as a Nova teacher for one year and didn't exactly leave on the best of terms. Not the worst of terms....just had a minor disagreement with the AGM at the time. I never saw myself ever entertaining the thought of working for them again.

I actually sent two resumes to Nova this year in case I absolutely couldn't find anything else...and never received a response. I suspect they A) must have some bad notes on me on file or B) suspect I'll make a visa run, C) don't feel I'm qualified or D) also find the notion of returning to Nova 10 years later slightly pathetic. Who knows?