Job Discussion Forums

phoenixstorm · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 24

Okay, I've read about the difference between coming to Japan without a job and using the big companies who recruit overseas. My current contract ends in Feb 2009 in Korea.

I want to go to Japan as my next move. I will have about 5,000 US to cover expenses. However I have a few questions.

Do the big companies who recruit overseas also hire just as much from within the country?

I would like to know what kind of ticket you arrived on if you came with no job lined up. I mean, showing up with a one way ticket seems out of the question since that dashes the illusion youre there as a tourist. Did you just take that round trip ticket as a loss?

How long did it take you to secure a job? I very much want to be in Tokyo. I'm assuming the fall out from nova is still being felt.

And while you were staying in a guest house and after you secured a job were they return the rest of your montlhy fee for staying? or was that another loss?

When you find a job from within Japan does it cut down on the time to get a visa? I read that from overseas getting a visa takes 6 to 8 weeks.

Also knowing what you know now after working and living in Japan (tokyo) what would you do differently if you were coming for the first time?

One more question: when you were looking for a job in japan was it hard to find an employer who would also provide key money for an apartment?

Thanks!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

mikefriend · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:44 am Post subject:

Tell me a bit for about the airtrip deal. On my recent visit to Japan I was never asked to show an exit ticket.

Does this happen sometimes?

I mean if I wanted to come to Japan on a one way and look for a suitable job would I have a problem form someone?

phoenixstorm · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 24

And while you were staying in a guest house and after you secured a job were they return the rest of your montlhy fee for staying? or was that another loss?
Why would you move out early? Some guest houses rent by the week.

Glenski thanks for the reply. Im thinking that it would be wise to move out of the guest house because if I get a job on the other side of Tokyo and the commute will be horrendous.

If the employer has an apartment waiting for a new teacher that would rock.

anne_o · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 172 Location: Tokyo

Several of the big companies do not hire in Tokyo. Gaba and Berlitz do, maybe a few others, but even those positions are scarce in Tokyo now.
You will have more luck with smaller private schools or ALT work.

It took me a week to get a job with nova. I took the visa, went to training to at least give it a shot and never went back.....found a job with a smaller conversation school pretty quickly after that last August.

You should get your deposit back at the guest house. I stayed at Sakura House and got ot all back....minus 10,000 for general whatever.

If I had to do it all again I would't have quit my job before finding something new...oh well.

You sound like you know what you're doing and should be able to find something....

GOOD LUCK!

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

^Nice post anne

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

phoenixstorm · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 24

Thanks everyone for the replies. In your opinion is it better right now to secure a position with one of the big companies before arriving or to just wait and interview in the country to open up my options? But because of the new influx of won runners and nova refugees would those options be very very limited?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You're not likely to secure a position from Korea. The big 4 eikaiwa don't recruit there, and the smaller ones don't have enough money to send any recruiters abroad.

You MIGHT find a few rare places that are willing to do a phone interview, but that's about all. Take your chances on those, too, especially if you can't see the other end.

Can't come here to shop around? I'd suggest trying to make it here. More opportunities. But you'll have to support yourself doing that, and it may take a long time depending on when you choose to come.

phoenixstorm · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 24

At the end of november I will be back in the states for a week to see my family. Im hoping to interview with at least ecc and aeon while there. Then its back to Korea.

My plan right now while in korea is to send out resumes to japan with the disclaimer that I will be moving to Japan to live in March 09. Hopefully I can set up some interviews before I arrive.

Where in the city is the best location to get a guest house for someone running around doing interviews?

Oh and does everyone really wear suits all day long while doing alt and ekiewa work?

another quick question. i keep reading that it takes 4-8 weeks to process a work visa. So if im in tokyo and find a job does that mean I can't work until that process is finished?

reactionary · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 60

I found a job in country. My work visa took 3 months (Going to immigration to get my stamp finally) and 3 trips to immigration.

I had to take a visa trip to Korea...they didn't look too kindly on me getting another tourist visa.

I think they are trying to clamp down on the "loophole" of finding a job in country.

This was Osaka immigration though. Tokyo could be more liberal.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

reactionary · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 60

Again, my experience was a lot longer than 4-8 weeks. I applied for my visa in the first week of August and am now finalizing my visa in the first week of November. 12 weeks, give or take. Even if the visa only takes you 8 weeks...remember your tourist visa is only good for 90 days. If it takes you much longer than a month to find a job, your job hunt + visa processing will very likely take more than 90 days, necessitating a visa run to Korea. When I did this, I was given a bit of the third degree at immigration (who assured me this would be my LAST tourist visa for awhile).

It might be better to find a job out of the country. I feel like I was "risking it" when I went on a tourist visa run to Korea.

phoenixstorm · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 24

UPDATE 2:

Well I have been offered a position and they want to begin the visa process. However, this is not my first choice of employment by any means.

So my quandry now is: do i continue with this job get the visa and work at a place that was not my first, second, third, or even fourth and fifth choice? Do I just pass and show up in march like I planned hoping to find something better?

I have the money to survive for three months while I look for work, but there is something to be said for arriving with a visa and a place to work already lined up complete with apartment.

any thoughts?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Congratulations, I think. I mean, why was this so low on your list of choices?

If it turns out to be not so bad, then you've pretty much answered your own question.

What's the offer, though? Can't really advise you without knowing. And, what was their recruitment like? Phone interview?