Job Discussion Forums

[JL]

Flyer: Thanks, but I HAVE a visa. Okay, what it specifically says in my passport is "Permission for permanent residency (永住許可） --in layman's terms at least, a visa. Let's not over think this. And I just renewed my re-entry permit this past June. I've had the permanent residency permit (it's so much easier to just type "visa") since 1997 --trust me, everybody, I'm okay on this point. But I do appreciate the concern by all. And I realize everyone is just being helpful.

I still welcome any and all further comments, info., etc.
Again, thank you, Flyer.

[flyer]

sorry, I made a mistake

I meant to write "degree" not "visa"

so I meant to write,

I can't recall seeing a job advert not requiring a degree!

[JL]

Flyer:
Oh! That does make a big difference. And it does cast my situation in a new light. Hmmmm. So things really are that strict these days....
Well, I'm planning ahead. I don't think I mentioned it on this thread, but this is for my kids --I want them to spend a year in Japan. They were born there, but are losing their Japanese. So I was aiming for next spring, when the Japanese school year starts. And I intened to job hunt at the same time, when language school enrollment usually picks up. I'm stateside now, but I of course, would be job-hunting once I landed there. Still, your comment about this gives me food for thought... As always, thank you.

[flyer]

yes, if you go to a big city, like Tokyo, and you are a native speaker (US) and have no visa problems
.... you should find something! at least part time

[Glenski]

I am not so optimistic about finding work being "no problem", even with PR.

Degrees are important to employers, whether we like it or not. I have seen a few ads that come right out and say no degree necessary, but very few of those, and most have looked lame or shady.

JL,
Did you realize that NOVA just folded last November, putting thousands of teachers on the streets? Japan is still picking up the pieces, I believe. And, yes, things have changed since 1997 (roughly the time I came to Japan).

[reasonJP]

In my experience, most of the entry level jobs in Eikaiwa and so forth are more concerned with prospective employees having degrees because it makes the visa process easier (I think a uni degree is a requisite for the big standard specialist in humanities visa, although I may be wrong). This is further evidenced by the fact most jobs, again of the entry level variety anyway, ask for a degree but never care whether you majored in Education or engineering, just as long as you have a bachelor's of any kind. It's my opinion the OP shouldn't have a huge problem getting a job of some sort if he emphasizes his previous experience and lets people know he's a permanent resident already. Further down the road, he may have some problems if he wants to work in public schools or unis, but cross that bridge when you come to it, I suppose. I'd side with Glenski though, that the real problem would be a lack of dosh supporting a family on entry level wages. It might be doable, but you'd have to be wearing an especially tight belt..

[Apsara]

I agree that with PR the degree will be less of an issue as I have met quite a few guys in Tokyo who are married to Japanese women and are teaching English without degrees. The issue is definitely as above- the entry level salary of around �250,000 before taxes will not support your family. It's possible if your wife will also be working.

[Glenski]

Not to continue sounding negative, but I hope JL realizes the setup costs of an apartment (or has something lined up to minimize or eliminate them), plus the costs of putting kids in school here (if a school would even take them).

I can't see how playing up 20-year-old teaching history would help much, but I'll wait to see what JL says it was first.

[JL]

Hello again folks. A bit late getting back to you all due to the time difference.
Well, quite a number of people have taken, at least, a passing concern with my possible plight. Again, I thank everyone for their help. I have to begin by saying that my wife, a Japanese national with work experience in both Japan, and the US, will also be working (if there's anything left of the world's economy next year ---JUST JOKING). In all probability, she'll out-earn Yours Truly. But realistically speaking, if she can bring home at least 200,000 yen a month, and I can do the same, our family of four won't be living extravagantly, but we should be able to make it for a year. I most recently lived in Japan in 2004. I realize that inflation, especially with food, has changed the picture, somewhat. But all we really need is to not be decimating our savings during our one year in Japan. (Probably airfare for 4 to Japan will be the biggest financial hit. Deposits for a residence would be #2, I would think.)

As I mentioned in an above thread, foremost, this is for our kids. Once upon a time they were fluent in Japanese. We still speak Japanese around the house, but it's not the same thing. At this time in their lives, another year in Japan would would do them well. After that, it's up to them once they become adults. But as for their schooling, it's our every intention to place them in Japanese schools. My daughter would be 2nd year junior high; my son, 5th year elementary. As Japan has free, mandatory education, they have to be accepted.

My kids will have some re-adjustment issues, no doubt. (But I'll save the rest of that for another thread.) Glenski mentioned stringing together a number of part-time jobs. I have absolutely no problem with that, if that's what it takes to get my foot in the door. Now, once upon a time (in the '80's) a teacher who was willing to fill in the odd lesson here or there, without complaining, was a popular commodity with the language schools. Maybe I should have asked this earlier, but are those less-than-10 hr/week PT jobs still out there? As long as I can piece together about a 20 hour week (without TOO MUCH travel time), I think I could make a go of it. Am I wrong?

[JL]

I'll just add:
A) I don't expect 200,000 yen from the get-go --Just as long as I can ramp up to that, and my wife can bring in the same.

B) I do not intend to job search while abroad. I'll pound the streets once I get there and can bat my pretty eyes in front of people.

[Glenski]

You don't expect 200,000 from the beginning? You'd darned well expect more than that, IMO!

How old is your wife? You and she probably realize how difficult it can be for mothers with kids still in school to get jobs here. The market is very tight. She may have worked years ago here, but will she still be accepted by the market (which in her case is what field)? Hard to say, but at least you and she are aware that you may very well need both salaries to make ends meet.

Apartments may also require that you sign a 2-year lease. Where I live they do. Figure that into your plans. Also, what are you leaving behind -- a house, condo, or apartment? A car? How do you plan to arrange those things without too much of a drain on your bank book?

What have you considered about health care while you're here?

If you're coming here only to give your kids a year of Japanese exposure, have you and they really thought things through? What about sending them here a month per year to visit the grandparents instead? It'd sure be cheaper, and you'd be able to maintain whatever career you and your wife enjoy right now, without putting a year's gap with TEFL in yours.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from coming. I've been here 10 years and have a J family myself. Just offering some insights into reality.

[Apsara]

200,000 is peanuts, in Tokyo one person can barely live off that amount. When I first came to Japan in the 90s most English teaching jobs paid close to 300,000 per month but that has gradually been eroded so that you see jobs with starting salaries of 220,000 or less these days- don't accept those jobs! Expect more than 200,000 yen!

[flyer]

[JL]

Guys and Gals,
It's only been four years since we lived in Japan. And we visited just this past June --the country hasn't changed that much. All the other considerations, thanks but we we're fine. This isn't our first rodeo.

What I am encouraged to hear, is that my goal of 200, 000 yen a month is viewed as too humble by you guys. Of course, I expect my wife to contribute the same. We can get by on 400,000 yen per month. We're both pretty thrifty when we have to be (read "cheapskates"). As I said before, the initial outlays (airfare, apartment deposits, etc.) will have to come from savings, and ultimately, probably won't be recovered. But one can't have it all.

Glenski, you've considerably address my situation, and so it's only fair I answer some of the questions you've been asking me. Not in any particular order:

Yes, we own our own home here in Vegas. We'll lease it for a year. Vegas is actually "Ground Zero" for the real estate meltdown and financial shock that is being felt as far away as where you folks are. People losing their homes are being forced to rent. Many of my neighbors have rented out their homes in a matter of days. A weird side-effect of the foreclosure woes.

Would never send my kids away. The father-in-law is a sworn enemy and not safe to have near the kids, to start with. Besides, our family of four is very tight. Couldn't imagine being away from my kids for a year.

Wife is in late 30's. She has 11 years of accounting experience with a MAJOR U.S.-based multinational. Times are tough, we know. But she should be able to drum up something.

I taught for three years straight at a smaller-sized English language school that had branches in western Tokyo. The last year, I ran one of the schools. Then, I transitioned to teaching for the Tokyo Metropolitan School District, and was teaching at three different high schools by the time I wrapped it up. That was over a two and a half year period. And though it was technically not part of the program, I was teaching in the classroom by myself, while my "team partners" would remain in the teacher's lounge. There's actually more on my teaching resume, but these are the main entries.

OK, I've blabbed enough.

[Glenski]

JL,
Thanks for the update.

Looks like you are doing the right thing in planning ahead, even if only for a one-year stay. Never know if it will go longer!

The only further advice I can give without repeating myself is to continue planning ahead. Don't wait until you land in Japan to look for jobs for either of you, and don't expect people to swoon over anyone's credentials from the USA (your wife's). You both know how things operate differently here, and how many Japanese don't want returnees coming in with new-fangled western ways of thinking.

Good luck to all of you, and feel free to keep asking questions.