Job Discussion Forums

[musashi44]

I am a recent college grad and have plans to teach English in Japan. I have done some research into the two main options- recruiter vs. heading on over and finding a job once I get there- but I would like to hear some opinions as to which one is the better route to go. I understand that going over and finding a job and getting a place on my own would cost much $, I have heard horror stories online and elsewhere from people who were hired outside of Japan and got put in a real crappy situation. Through I�m asking for opinions; please try to be as objective as possible.
Thanks.
Musashi 44
PS:just to be clear, I do plan on being certified as TESL or TEFL before leaving so I would have some sort of qualification. Thanks

[Mapleblondie]

Well, just to be safe, you might be better off trying to get a job from a recruiter before you head there, and then you can see how you like it. If you decide you want something better, there is nothing the company can do to you if you decide to leave and work elsewhere...I think it's always better to have SOME kind of job lined up than go and have nothing to fall back on at least for the first while...But then again, that's just my opinion.

[matador]

OP, you may find it prudent not to use the term JAP...it has certain negative connotations. Sure, its only the root of Japanese (as BRIT is to BRITISH)...but it does have a certain baggage attached to it. I have made the same mistake before so just wanted to give you a heads up. Good luck with your job hunting! Great days ahead, no doubt.

[Glenski]

Getting recruited from abroad means you will interview with people who have the money to come looking. In itself, that is a good sign. Whether you end up in a cr@ppy branch or not is luck of the draw. You really can't pick and choose much better even if you come here and have more (MANY more!) opportunities to choose from. Just my opinion. However, coming here and job hunting lends itself a few advantages beyond just increasing the number of places that will potentially look you over:

1. You can get accustomed to some of the lay of the land.
2. You can be immersed in the culture and language.
3. You can network with people who are here and who may have been around for a while.
4. Having that 90-day tourist deadline weighing on your shoulders may provide some impetus to dig in more and hunt.

Oh, and yes, please change your subject line to not include the word "Jap". Not exactly good advertising. Add a period if nothing else.

[musashi44]

sorry to offend anyone with the term jap, as I didn't mean anything by it. i shortened japanese because i ran out of space in the title line, didn't stop to consider it may be taken wrong. again, sorry for any unentended offensives and please more opinions.
thank you.

[wayne432]

Agreed regarding the "jap" thing... If you want to shorten Japanese/Japan, easiest is often to use jp, it's even shorter ^_^

I think getting a position before you go would be the safest route. Depending on what company/school you apply to, you can at least choose region. However, if you go there and somehow don't wind up with anything, you're just burning $.

[Vince]

[gonzarelli]