Job Discussion Forums

[campbed219a]

I�ve just been looking at an advert from an eikaiwa that wants ALTs (looks like they�ve been given a dispatch contract by the local BOE) and wondered if anyone thought that they were offering a decent deal? I don�t know if it would be appropriate to name the company here (don�t want to be accused of advertising their jobs!), but they are based in a big city on Honshu and are looking for native English speakers with 4 year degrees.

ALT Details;
6 month contract (but will sponsor a 1 year working visa)
3 day training provided before start of work
Teaching at Elementary & Junior High Schools
Hours = Mon � Fri (9�4.30)
Pay = 12,500 yen / day + Transportation Allowance. No paid vacation
Accommodation = ~ 65,000 yen / month, within 20 minutes of school

Initial worry is about getting paid by days worked, which means that, due to the winter break, income at the end of December is going to be paltry. I guess that money would have to be saved in the 3 months before or additional income picked up through private lessons.

However, the hours look great, as is the location. There can�t be too many ALT jobs in the big cities. Also, with the 1 year visa it means that you would be in a great position to shop around for another job once over there. As for the pay, looks like you would take home upwards of 250K most months.

Any thoughts?

[Glenski]

No paid vacation. By law an employer is not obligated to give you any for the first 6 months anyway, so this one is being cagey. He could theoretically renew you for another 6 months and try not to give you paid vacation again. Beware.

Also, just how many days will you be working? There are national holidays plus many school events that will count as days off. Day off = no money. I'd rather see a contract that guarantees a certain monthly wage, and so should you.

Get sick, and there is no paid time off.

Are you paid for the 3 days of training? How much? Looks like zero. Isn't your time worth something?

Note they said schools. Plural. Even though they pay for transportation (or is that really true when they say "allowance", which could mean only part of the travel is paid), find out just where these schools are. You could spend your whole day on a train.

[campbed219a]

[markle]

Also six months from now will put you in prime hiring time. If however it puts you in Sept then you might be limited.

[flyer]

this sounds like a good job to get into Japan and start teaching

but I wouldn't hang around too long. There are better jobs

[powderboarder]

If you are going to accept say that you will only accept 15000.They will find it hard to fill this position at this time of the year.You will also be helping maintain some kind of respectable dignity in not giving into the "dipatch" plague that has become clear over my 7 years working in schools here.

BOE`s are finding out the pitfalls of Dispatch Companies and are moving back to direct hire.I would get your C.V. written in Kanji and target BOE`s in the area you wish to live NOW for a September start.

If you work for local government they are abliged to offer you 20 days annual leave in their contracts. :

[azarashi sushi]

Just echoing what Glenski said ... Particularly in 2nd term, there are a lot of school events and national holidays ... There will be a lot of weeks where you will only work three or four days a week. It's possible too that your classes will finish well before the winter vacation, so that will mean even less pay. I would just clear up exactly how many days within that 6 month period you will be working.

Nevertheless, as a first job to get your foot in the door and get a visa, I don't think it's so bad. As someone else said, it will put you in the prime time for hiring at the end of the 6 months.

AS