Job Discussion Forums

[JL]

Thanks, Glenski. Thanks everyone.

[Apsara]

Actually I think JL's wife's US experience would be welcomed by many gaishikei companies here in Tokyo, although as you might imagine, it's not the best time to be looking for work in that field right now.

The point with the 200,000 yen salaries is that if people keep accepting such low amounts, the employers feel justified in paying them and then often try to drop them even more.

[JL]

Apsara,
"The point with the 200,000 yen salaries... (employers) try to drop them even more."
True enough. Though I can't be picky, I won't stoop so low as to be wasting my time and hurting the market for fellow teachers. 200K is what I figure I need to aggregate by stringing together PT jobs. Of course, won't turn my nose up at more money! (Past midnight, here. I'll check this thread again, in the morn. O yasumi, everyone!)

[Glenski]

JL,
If you can't string together enough work to make 400,000 yen/month by yourself, something is wrong. It may not happen in the first 3 months or so, but it is definitely not that hard.

To even consider "aggregating" a mere 200,000 is a waste of your time, and so underestimating the market that it is almost laughable.

Many foreigners won't consider PT work because they need the FT employer to sponsor a visa (or they are just afraid of the instability or something of a PT job). Look beyond that, especially if you plan to be here only a year.

[Speed]

JL, if you're thinking of entering an eikaiwa, you shouldn't really have a problem.

Since you're a permanent resident and schools won't have to worry about sponsoring your visa, this is a plus. If you're looking to get at least 200,000 a month, no problem.

The age factor shouldn't matter too much as long as they perceive you to have a very good attitude, energetic, and appear to be low risk from fleeing the company/Japan.

Places like ECC don't seem to really discriminate on age very much and if you're looking to teach only adults, especially one-on-one, GABA seems like a good call.

If you're looking to get your foot back in the door, you should be able to pull it off without too much difficulty. Go for it and enjoy being back in Japan.

[JL]

Glenski,
"f you can't string together enough work to make 400,000 yen/month... ...a mere 200,000 is a waste of your time"

Yeah? Well I'll just have to set my sights higher then! I'll roll up my sleeves when I get there, and make sure it happens. But good to know I was aiming too low, instead of too high. Again, thanks as always.

Speed,
Thanks for the encouragement, and for the tips about ECC and GABA. I won't be picky in the beginning --I imagine getting that first job will be the hardest (after I prove myself all over again, and get to know people, I'd think that I'd then start hearing about other opportunities, too). If I have my druthers, I'll have a mix of lessons teaching various age groups and levels during the week. But again, I'll welcome any foot in the door. Looking forward to it --already feel the old juices flowing!

[Deicide]

[JL]

Enjoyed your remark, Deicide (not sure what's up with your delightful little avatar, though ... back attcha! )

But seriously, I will be looking for work in a depressed economy with two handicaps (age, lack of degree). So I appreciate that nobody sugarcoated the reality for me. Overall though, people did give me the impression that I can find what I'm looking for. But I'll have to work at it. And that sounds fair enough.

[Deicide]

[JL]

Sorry, Korea is not on the radar. I and my family have roots in Japan. Been to Korea on business, many times. Someday, I actually would like to spend time in China or Taiwan. But until my youngest is out of the house, it's Japan that's on the horizon. And that's more than fine by me.

[Deicide]

[JL]

Ha! Well, I'm not going to slur the country. But unless one has a specific interest in Korea, it wouldn't top a list of places to live. Japan has been the powerhouse of Asia, and China is it's future.

[Deicide]