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Mapleblondie
Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Canada
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: ECC Offer: Kanto.Can I request to wait for right Kinki? |
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Hi guys,
When I went for my interview I was told that my request to want to work in Kinki was doable, especially since I was interviewed in December and said I would leave anytime between August and October this year. They told me it would not be a problem, so I stopped looking for another job with other companies. Now though, I just got a placement offer for KANTO and I don't want to take it. Everyone I know and everything I love about Japan is in the Kinki region, so I want to request to wait until something opens up in Kinki. I sent the reply so that it sounded more like a question about waiting rather than a demand, etc. so that it doesn't look too pushy, but I am really disappointed in this placement, given that I purposefully said I would wait for Kinki. What should I do? What are my chances of them actually letting me wait for a Kinki placement? Should I look for something else, or is it worth trying for? I DON'T want to go to Kanto, so I think I would turn down that offer no matter what,...I want/need my support network of friends/host families/university and am willing to look elsewhere if I need to do so. I just think it's a waste to have waited so long for ECC to set things up if this is the outcome. |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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Take whatever answer they give you. You are not being interviewed to be placed where YOU will enjoy life here. That is too selfish for an employer to tolerate. Just realize that although your friends will be in Kinki, it's a heckuva lot closer to Kanto than where you probably are right now.
You are likely not to have much time off anyway. |
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parrothead

Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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Take the job and then try to transfer later. |
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inkansai
Joined: 18 Jan 2005 Posts: 39
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:06 am Post subject: |
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ECC very rarely allows teachers to transfer from district to district. If you really want to go to Kinki, and are prepared to wait I would let them know. |
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Mapleblondie
Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Canada
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:39 am Post subject: |
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Well, I have lived in Japan before and so I know how expensive things are in Kanto...Tokyo in particular. One of my motivations is to SAVE money not SPEND it on excessively expensive rent and whatnot. And yes, I already know the Japan is nt a cheap country, but Tokyo is rediculous in terms of expenses, and I don't want to work for nothing. I don't think that's selfish...I have student loans to pay.
Anyways, I guess I will have to see what the guy says in response to my email...I have my teacher's certification, so I am definitely more of an asset than with just a BA or single degree. I think that I'll have to see the answer before making any decisions, but I don't want to live in Tokyo. Some of you might like that, but it's not for me. If they are planning on placing me in a different prefecture that is cheaper then I will definitely consider it, but Tokyo is a no-go.
I am guessing that based on most of your responses that you think I have no say in preferences for the general half of the country I'd like to work in. That's definitely unfortunate....I LOVE Japan, and don't want something like this to make me have to find another position. ECC is generally a good company from what I hear, and some of the other recent postings on this site don't seem to come close in comparison. I just don't want to end up in a situation when I can't save more than 300 per month without taking on extra work. Any good suggestions on what I should do? |
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benshi
Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 48
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:43 am Post subject: |
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You will be better off looking for another job. The employer will place you where they need you, and if you aren't interested, there are plenty of other people who are.
From their perspective, you are not any more of an asset than someone with a BA in basketweaving. |
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AndyH
Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:44 am Post subject: |
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I agree with benshi. Personally, I really liked Kanto, but if your heart isn't there, life's too short..... |
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Mapleblondie
Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Canada
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:56 am Post subject: |
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I just got a response and it is perfectly fine that I defer. He said that it is not a problem and that he will talk to me again soon with an offer from the kinki region. So, apparently I AM more worthwhile than a person with a BA in basketweaving. LOL. I'm glad things worked out. |
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wayne432
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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Very possible... but it's also possible they just dumped your app onto a list that they never plan to contact again. It is after all what the company needs, not necessarily what you want.
Either way, best of luck that you wind up with something you like. |
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Mapleblondie
Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Canada
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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The guy seemed really nice and I think everything will be fine. I just can't believe the negativity in most of the responses on this thread. Wow, I don't know if I ever want to even ASK a question on here again if all I am going to get is basketweaving comments,"selfish" and "intolerable" remarks, " find another job" comments, etc. I thought this was a help forum I could turn to for USEFUL advice when I needed it, but whatever. |
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wayne432
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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I'm still curious about why you really sure why you stopped searching so early for a position in Kinki... just because one company says it's "doable" still doesn't mean it will definitely happen. Plus, if you had kept up with a variety of different companies with your focus on the Kinki region, you would have most likely had a better chance.
Regarding the responses, I wouldn't necessarily say anything was really "negative" here, but more "realistic" (albeit a little blunt at times). Still the information is quite useful.
Consider the amount of people applying to teach in Japan vs the amount of open positions. The companies and schools want someone who will go anywhere, so asking for a specific place will look "selfish" to the companies/schools... that's just how it is. |
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Mapleblondie
Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Canada
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I had my heart set on ECC and after I was told I got the job I had no need to keep looking. The recruited assured me it wouldn't be a problem, since ECC is more priminent in the Osaka area anyways PLUS people most often request Tokyo for their placement. I was not requesting a specific city, only a general half of the country in which they could place me anywhere they needed me. I thought, and still think, that that general of a request is not selfish but extremely reasonable. It's not like I asked for a specific location or anything like that. I understand it is a business, and that is why I told them I would be able to leave anytime between August and October, whenever they needed me and could find a position in that half of the country.
I do know that there are a ton of people applying for teaching jobs, but I also know that most of the people in entry level positions have just a BA or BSc and maybe a TESOL certificate. Not many people are certified teachers, and the recruiter highlighted that fact to me. So, I don't feel like I've been selfish at all...Just realistic, seeing as my qualifications ARE more than a number of the people who are applying around the same time as me, and it would be an asset to them to want to keep that, from a business perspective.
I suppose I am just shocked at how people here are so "blunt", as you put it, making it sound like I didn't have any hope at all. I think there are many reasons that might be the case, and maybe they are jaded by their own experiences or rumours of others' experiences, but I was just disappointed in the harsh tone when all I asked was a simple question, looking for some support. I've learned my lesson though... |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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Mapleblondie,
Don't bite the hand that feeds you. I don't see that you have any reason for being upset with the answers provided here. You asked, we answered with our experience.
ECC is a major eikaiwa chain. Asking for what you did early on may go over well with the right manager there, but understand that it is McDonalds, and that you essentially go where they need the instructors. Best of luck in the next response you hear.
You wrote:
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I have my teacher's certification, so I am definitely more of an asset than with just a BA or single degree. |
Unless you have a couple of years of experience back home to accompany that cert, you are probably not perceived as more of an asset. It's McDonalds, not a serious educating institute! Read this article on professionalism in eikaiwa for an inkling of how managers there feel. http://www.eltnews.com/features/special/015a.shtml
If you have the experience back home, shoot for a job at an international school...right now. If not, be patient and struggle through a year of unmotivated students (most pay only to come to eikaiwa classes and socialize, not learn), then see if you can land a job in a JHS or SHS (more unmotivated students, and more juvenile ones, but at least it's a taste of real schooling here). I presume you had a reason for getting the certification, so why not try making use of it by exploring what it's meant for?
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Tokyo is rediculous in terms of expenses, and I don't want to work for nothing. I don't think that's selfish...I have student loans to pay. |
From this I would suspect that you just graduated, so perhaps international schools are out of the questions. I hope you can clarify. Meanwhile, please realize that eikaiwa will pay as little as they can to hire instructors, but it's still a living wage. They don't care if you have student loans or car loans or a mortgage. Few employers anywhere do. It's up to you to decide how frugally to live. You're going to get roughly 250,000 yen/month starting wage, and half of that will go to basic necessities. The choice is yours what to do with the remaining 125,000 yen. I hope you have looked at the "cheapskates" thread for some tidbits of advice. |
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Caliroll
Joined: 02 Mar 2008 Posts: 23
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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Mapleblondie,
Yes perhaps some of the responses you received were a tad blunt but it is an Internet forum after all. Maybe some people were put off when you made comments about being a certified teacher in your country and therefore you are more desirable to employers. This could not be further from the truth by the way. Teaching in an eikaiwa is not about serious teaching/learning but more about entertaining your students and in the case of children's classes, keeping their parents happy. Of course there are exceptions and the odd student is serious about studying. Glenski gave you some good insight comparing ECC to McDonalds and also a great link to check out.
As for you waiting until you get your desired 'half of the country', if you got a good feeling from the person who was in touch with you and you don't mind waiting it out then give it a shot. You know much better than us how the email read. You're right that some people might have had bad experiences or heard rumors...so take things you read on this forum with a grain of salt. Use the forum to get info and advice but don't live and die with what strangers decide to post.
All the best, |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:54 am Post subject: |
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You are concerned about saving only $300 per month, it seems. Don't be worried. Of course, we don't know what your outstanding debts are, but here's the deal.
Average salary is 250,000 yen/month.
Average living expenses (basic necessities only) are half of that.
Go out twice a week and drink moderately, and you will spend 30,000 to 50,000 yen/month.
So, 125,000 - 30,000 or 50,000 = 75,000 to 95,000 to play around with. You don't even have to be a frugal person to save $300 from that, but as I wrote above, if you have outstanding debts (student loan, car loan, whatever) that cut into this range, then of course you need to be more frugal. |
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