Job Discussion Forums

Dude Love Japan · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

I live in Seoul with 4 years of TEFL experience. I'm 31 years old, 2/3 into the CELTA and have a BA in English. Westgate and Gaba won't hire me and won't give me an honest answer why not. I really want to start work in Tokyo in September or October. I have an offer from Shane but they have mixed reviews. I'd like to have Wed and Sat evenings free.
I heard I should wait until July and apply for an ALT job or just show up and look for work. I'd like to have something when I arrive. Thanks everyone for helping a Japan newbie.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

You don't know why places wont hire you?

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

Dipso · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 194 Location: England

Don't Gaba require applicants to already hold a valid visa? It is my understanding that they are not able to provide sponsorship.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Apparently Gaba does sponsor these days- the old management lost the privilege with Immigration for a while but it was given back with the new management. They say they will sponsor "qualified applicants", but you usually have to interview either in Japan or at their new recruiting drives overseas.

With Gaba, wanting to have Saturday and Wednesday evenings off shouldn't be an issue as you can choose whatever schedule you want- I don't think that was the issue here, but it's hard to say what it was.

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

I disagree with Inflames. Most eikaiwas are open 5 or 6 days a week, and since they cater to the schedules of their customers, that often/usually means they are open Saturday and Sunday. You want Wednesday off for some particular reason? Sounds odd.

You are probably too qualified for GABA.

Westgate may just not have any openings at the moment. Which of its programs did you apply for? Dispatching to universities has just been ruled illegal, so I'm sure its university program is taking a hit. Then again, its web site says, "Westgate is looking for individuals who are highly motivated to teach !" Asking for a day off in the middle of the week is not motivated to them, perhaps. Westgate also wants people with certification, and since you aren't finished yet, there you go.

Shane, yes, has mixed reviews, but you didn't say they won't hire you. In fact, you have mentioned only 2 employers. Get your butt to Japan and you will have a greater chance of being hired.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Glenski, I know people who have a BA, CELTA and have gone from 8 years or more of teaching/ management at other eikaiwa in Japan to teacher positions at Gaba- they were usually promoted fairly early though and ended up as trainers/ curriculum developers.

I know Gaba is seen as bottom-of-the-barrel stuff, but it is not quite so bad that they would consider someone with a BA, 4 years in Korea and part of a CELTA to be over-qualified! Shocked

Sour Grape · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 241

At Shane most teachers finished around 6 on Saturdays, as opposed to 9 or ten on weekdays, so you would probably get at least part of your Saturday evening free.

One of the things people often cite as a drawback of working for Shane is that you usually get Sunday and one other day (which could be any) as your day off. I doubt too many people actually request Wednesday, so they might well be able to accomodate you. Of course, you will sometimes be on cover on your days off. I transferred from one Shane district to another and asked to have Thursday off, which was the same day my girlfriend was off. The Dos was fine with that.

Lastly, I was under the impression that July was not a good time to apply for ALT jobs. Perhaps others will be more concrete.

Dude Love Japan · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

-I wanted Wednesday and Saturday evenings free for aikido practice. It's nice to now I might be over-qualified!
-Westgate advertises all the time, so they presumably need people, not sure why they won't hire me.
-Thanks to everyone for replying. So, what should I do if I want to start in September or October? Wait for ALT jobs to advertise in July (I like their schedules), go with Shane or do something else? Thanks again.

Caliroll · Joined: 02 Mar 2008 Posts: 23

If you are planning to be in Tokyo then it will be easy enough to find aikido classes through the day. The hombu dojo offers classes at several different times a day. If you're eager for an eikaiwa gig then you can't say you want Wednesday nights off because they will simply pass you over in favor of someone willing to work whenever necessary.

If it's really necessary you go to a particular class on Wednesday nights then go for ALT work.

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

Thanks, Aspara, for contributing your friends' experiences. I'm not sure if we see eye to eye on this or not. Hard to understand from what you wrote, but at least the OP has more info.

BTW, being over-qualified was just a guess on my part. It's practically impossible to say since we weren't present at the interview. Your performance there might have also contributed to their reason for declining.

Same for Westgate. You also say that they are hiring "all the time". This was not my understanding. I have seen their ads saying that they wanted people only for certain periods of time, and that they weren't hiring at other times. A key thing to note is what I wrote earlier about dispatch agencies and universities.

[quote=Dude Love Japan]I wanted Wednesday and Saturday evenings free for aikido practice.[/quote]You said you live in Seoul. How do you figure your aikido in another country would be on the same days? I'm confused. Plus, can't you find some other aikido school? What's more important -- the job or a hobby?

[quote=Dude Love Japan]hat should I do if I want to start in September or October? Wait for ALT jobs to advertise in July (I like their schedules), go with Shane or do something else?[/quote]Sure, you could wait for July or August, but you are likely going to have to be here to do the interview. If anyone knows names of places that interview by phone, I really wish they would state them. I usually make the above remark and have to respond to people who say, "Glenski, there are lots of places who do phone interviews, so the OP doesn't really have to be here!", yet they never say who does that sort of thing. I collect this info and dole it out, and I get very tired of saying the same things over and over.

If you start with Shane, when would that be? At least that would put you in Japan, where you could network more effectively and perhaps even do interviews in person more easily. Depends on how desperate you are to work here, I guess.

Something else? Not much else except eikaiwa, and they usually don't interview where you are. So, once again, you are probably going to have to research the ads, find a place that looks enticing, decide to come for an interview, and tell then with your resume when you will/could be here, then hope they will interview you.

Dude Love Japan · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 111

-Thanks everyone for your help. If I were to work with Shane it would be beginning in September. The person I corresponded with told me upfront he couldn't promise me the schedule I wanted. I MIGHT take the job anyway just so I can have a job when I arrive in Tokyo in September.
-I know I can find aikido practice with virtually any schedule in Tokyo very easily. But Hombu Dojo has a special course Wednesday and Saturday evenings that I want to take.