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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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 Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2004 11:45 pm Post subject: Is it a waste of time to look for work after April? |
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HI all,
I have heard and read that the hiring time for schools is from January to March, but I want to know if it's also possible to get a job with an eikawa at other times of the year, for example in June.
I ask this because I'm doing a project right now which will require my commitment until June.
Is it even worth looking for a 1-year teaching job in Japan after May/June?
I would like to come to Japan after my project ends and look for work, but would like to know first if it would be a waste of time and money.
Many thanks |
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lajzar
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Saitama-ken, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 12:17 am Post subject: |
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The big recruitment season is indeed to start work for April 1st. That is for government schools. Many other companies recruit at the same time, partly out of tradfition, parlty to simplfy tax procedures.
However, companies do recruit all through the year. Don't give up. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 6:30 am Post subject: |
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"Schools" is a catch-all word that needs clarification.
As lajzar points out, eikaiwas hire year-round. Places like high schools, elementary schools, and universities have April start dates, so the major interview time for them is February to March. Of course, lots of HSs and U's interview as much as 6 months to a year in advance.
Beware of coming in August because you'll run into the Obon holiday season. |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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Glenski is spot on. August is also sweltering - not good for interviewing in a shirt and tie at all or getting around the place.
But I have noticed that admissions rise in September again after the summer break. Perhaps schools will be employing then to cope with this. |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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| shmooj wrote: |
Glenski is spot on. August is also sweltering - not good for interviewing in a shirt and tie at all or getting around the place.
But I have noticed that admissions rise in September again after the summer break. Perhaps schools will be employing then to cope with this. |
hi all,
thanks for all of your advice
so if i do miss the january-march window, then you would say the next best time to arrive/apply for a job is September? |
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lajzar
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Saitama-ken, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Bear in mind that you should aim to arrive in Japan at least a month before you expect to start work, assuming you are responding to local adverts and don't have a job lined up. Also bear in mind that if you don't have a valid visa, many companies won't employ you unless you can get one in time for the anticipated start date. otoh, some companies will employ you and send you to the immigration office once the paperwork goes through. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:24 am Post subject: |
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| Bear in mind that you should aim to arrive in Japan at least a month before you expect to start work |
I have known people to land jobs in 3 days, and others who have failed to find work in 90 days. "At least a month" is still cutting it tight, not only in terms of being able to find the job itself, interview, and start, but in terms of supporting yourself. Plan on supporting yourself for 90 days. Your first paycheck may not come until 6-8 weeks after the day you start. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 12:36 am Post subject: |
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| Jobs can be found atny time of the year, but the early spring is best. Don't wait at home for 6 months until the most optimal time. Just come with lots of money, as Glenski stated. |
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avahanian
Joined: 19 Jan 2003
Posts: 123
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:38 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Bear in mind that you should aim to arrive in Japan at least a month before you expect to start work |
I have known people to land jobs in 3 days, and others who have failed to find work in 90 days. "At least a month" is still cutting it tight, not only in terms of being able to find the job itself, interview, and start, but in terms of supporting yourself. Plan on supporting yourself for 90 days. Your first paycheck may not come until 6-8 weeks after the day you start. |
Hi glenski,
supposing i do find a job in that month, and a company does sponsor my visa, can i stay in japan whilst the visa is being processed or do I have to leave?
if that is the case could I just hop over to Korea and then come back right away? |
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lajzar
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Saitama-ken, Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:28 am Post subject: |
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My line of "at least a month" is based on the assumption that the school in question is actually conducting a proper set of reference checks on you, is interviewing a reasonable list of candidates, and is in general doing stuff other than not leaping at the first warm body that replies to their advert.
If I landed a teaching job within three days of arriving in a foreign country, I'd have serious doubts about the professionalism of the employer. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 7:38 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| If I landed a teaching job within three days of arriving in a foreign country, I'd have serious doubts about the professionalism of the employer. |
That person landed a job at ECC. Professional enough?
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| supposing i do find a job in that month, and a company does sponsor my visa, can i stay in japan whilst the visa is being processed or do I have to leave? |
There is no guarantee either way. That is why I say you should be prepared financially to make that jaunt to Seoul for a day or two.
Moreover, if you choose to go the route of working on that tourist visa, just beware of the employer if he continues to push off your visa. That is, some unscrupulous employers will lie about screwing up the paperwork, or "delays" until you have overstayed your visa and worked all this time illegally on a tourist visa. Then, they fire you and withhold your last paycheck, and you have no legal recourse but to leave the country.
I know of people who have had this happen, and I have known of others who had no problems with that sort of system. |
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