Job Discussion Forums

SteveStevenson · Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 14

I recently graduated from college and it is my dream to live abroad, especially in Japan. I was not accepted by the JET program (my first option) and while I will sign on with the shadier Eikawa companies if I must, I would like to know if there are other, better options.

From looking at job listings on this site and others, I have gathered that the best jobs are available to those currently in Japan; I realize that I will probably have to "pay my dues" by working in a less-than-desirable situation in order to get over there, and I'm fine with that.

What would my best options be?

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:53 pm Post subject:

Ask yourself why you want to live in another country?And why Japan in particular?
Remember you are coming here to teach, not sightsee.

That motivation is what will drive you,after the novelty wears off (and it will, quickly, after you get bored of commuter trains and high humidty and cockroaches)

I like it here or I wouldn't want to work here, mostly, but it's nothing special really and I have been around and seen many places to compare it. Personal opinion naturally.

I just hope you are not going to be one of those people that has this image about it then gets all disappointed once you realise its just a load of people commutiing to work, shopping at supermarkets and getting pissed up on Friday night.

Perhaps you could try coming here on holiday and just "happen" to look for work as part of that plan, rather than committ yourself. I did that. So I knew what to expect. An ok-ish country with benefits and hassles, same as anyplace else.

Other than that there are plenty of recruiters on small adds on this site and gaijinpot and all the rest. Some of the large companies are not shady, just impersonal by their very nature. (Ecc, geos to name 2)

Yeah you will probably start at the bottom, but as an "immigrant worker" you will be at the bottom for a long time, no matter how they label it.

Sorry to sound negative. I am hoping to sound realistic.

SteveStevenson · Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 14

I appreciate your honesty, and I am under no illusions about the fact that I will have to work hard and put up with strain as I would anywhere else. I think that I want to work for the State Department, so this would be a test to see how I like living in a different country. I also have an interest in teaching.

The challenge is a large part of what draws me, though I will no doubt curse myself for taking it on every now and then...

Where else have you taught? I have looked into Taiwan and Korea (my aunt is actually well placed in the Korean esl world) but honestly I love Japanese language and culture.

I hope I do not come off as a know-it-all, because I realize that this is a venture with which I am inexperienced.

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

Why do you say "shadier" as if all eikaiwas fit that pattern. They don't.

Your options as a newcomer:
JET ALT
dispatch company ALT
Eikaiwa instructor

Best jobs are not always limited to those in-country. JET, for example. As for the others that may recruit overseas, think of it like this: if you can't afford to come here and set yourself up for 3-4 months, what other choice do you have but to deal with overseas recruitment? Benefits:

They come to your country (depending where you live)
They provide a wealth of information (perhaps overkill, but better than too little)
They may offer reduced airfare
They always sponsor a work visa (locals schools don't always)
They usually set up an apartment for you, with key money already paid.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

SteveStevenson · Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 14

I guess I say "shadier" because I have read a lot of less than glowing reports about the major companies on forums such as this.

Unfortunately, I did not make it into JET, which was my first option. In your opinion, would I be better off starting with a large company or with a private eikawa? Also, what would my chances of finding success with an ALT dispatch be while I have no direct experience?

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:42 pm Post subject:

Steve, how is the job hunting going?

SteveStevenson · Joined: 29 Jan 2009 Posts: 14

Its going ok, I just had a phone interview that went well and may be offered a position.

I do not think I will be able to get everything together in order to leave next month, which sucks because I like the school and realize the market is tight.

Aside from April, during what other months do schools commonly hire?

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

I was in JET for four years. Many people apply to JET more than once before going (in fact I've heard of people applying THREE times in as many years: first time didn't get an interview. 2nd time got an interview, but didn't get in, 3rd time got an interview, put on the WAITING LIST and finally upgraded to go. Sounds like it must have been a pretty bad ALT, eh? Nope. Apparently one of the best that area of Japan had ever had [no, it wasn't me]). Based on the date, it seems you didn't get an interview. If you PM me your SOP and the information you put on your application, I can probably tell you where you went wrong. You can also call up your consulate and ask them. For some reason the seven month application period isn't enough- sometimes they want to see if you are so serious about doing it that you'll put your life on hold for a(nother) year to get into JET. And many people DO do that. And those that do, often are the ones who stay longer.

But generally, the number one thing that sinks applicants is writing about what Japan can do for them instead of what they can do for Japan (and spelling and not writing on the topic they were asked --in the order they were asked to write it-- etc).

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

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

As Glenski said, and I as well detailed on another thread, Japan is very season oriented in its hiring yet hiring can and does go on all year.

Its important to understand though that 85% of positions available during the year are advertised between Jan-March, and start in April.

Late May and June are the sloppy seconds season: positions that werent filled or filled and quickly vacated due to firing or undesirable conditions.

July is a dead period with only a small number of FT positions for starts just after the August break due to a teacher leaving with notification. August is as well a dead period for this reason plus that 1-2 weeks or more are vacation time for many places.

September becomes a slight hiring season for starts in October(mid year). Many PT positions tend to be around this period too.

November and December is probably the worst time of the year for hires/starts due to holidays and lack of positions needing to be filled.

And then the process starts all over again come January.

All that said, if you've interviewed with a company that expects you to start in April and you're thinking you cant, I certainly hope you let them know that up front and are not with holding that. Otherwise you're being dirty and will jade the company/school so that it makes it that much more a problem for the next candidate potentially.

elkarlo · Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 240 Location: Maryland

elkarlo · Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 240 Location: Maryland

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan