Job Discussion Forums

fat-elvis · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 24

I'm filling out applications for places like Interac and Aeon, but this whole thing is stressing me out and I haven't even applied anywhere yet. I'd like to get a job in/near a major or semi-major city in sort of central japan (toyko, osaka, nagoya, kyoto, whatever) because I dislike the suburbs and hate rural life. But it seems like it's even harder nowadays to find a city teaching job. The Interac site says that because of the number of applicants if you have no experience they'll dump you blindfolded in the mountains with nothing but a loincloth and a hunting knife, and the ECC site makes it sound like they're not even looking at applications until the Fall.

I'd like to move to japan this fall, especially now that I'm minus an apartment come mid-august, but I don't want to settle for a village job three hours away from the nearest city. Is this even realistic at this point? If I fill out an application, noting my preference for urban placement, would they still interview me? Also, am I reading the ECC website right? Are they not looking at applications until fall, or are they not looking at applications for anyone who wants to start before fall?

Also, if I apply to Geos, where their website says "we only will be accepting application from individuals who are able to come to Japan within 2-3 months of the time they place the application. We will not consider applications for placement periods more that 5 months in advance", if I say I'd like to start in September would they just toss my application or what? Would it be worth waiting a month or two to apply?

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

CdnInKorea · Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject:

Wow. I can understand why people want to work in Japan (I do too, which is why I read this board), but with all the trouble it's almost amazing to me that anyone does; the extensive applications, the startup money, the lack of placement choice, the visa waiting process, etc.

As someone who will probably go through it all one day, I hope it's worthwhile! Smile

Dipso · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 194 Location: England

Getting a work visa for Japan from overseas is not difficult, just slightly time consuming. South Korea - now that is a really difficult visa these days, isn't it?!

CdnInKorea · Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 5:37 am Post subject:

fat-elvis · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 24

So, if one looks hard enough, applying from abroad, what is realistic to shoot for in terms of the kind of city? I mean obviously something like Tokyo might be out of the question, but what about, say, a top five or ten in population? I'm not sure how desiring a decent sized city has anything to do with being a "newbie", seeing as how the same would hold true for any country I'm living in, including the US. I'd like to teach in Japan, but not enough to live in a setting that will make me miserable, as rural Japan reputedly does for many teachers accustomed to urban life and who don't speak Japanese. I just can't see myself happy in that kind of situation, and I wouldn't want that to sour my experience in Japan.

Another question- if you apply abroad to a smaller school that isn't one of the big ones (Aeon, Geos etc), how do they handle interviews?

Another question- why is this board so dead?

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

Why do you think Tokyo might be out of the question? Do the eikaiwas you are applying to say that? It is the biggest population centre in Japan, so also has the most jobs. I would think you would have a very high chance of being placed in one of the surrounding prefectures (Saitama, Chiba or Kanagawa) which are basically dormitory suburbs of Tokyo with fairly short train rides to the centre of the city, but people tend not to request them since they aren't well known.

Kyoto is a city that is difficult to get placed in, because it is a relatively small city (I think around 1 million people), but so many people want to live there.

This board is quiet because if someone comes along and makes it lively, they tend to end up getting banned- common pattern here.

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

fat-elvis · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 24

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

It being Golden Week is definitely contributing a lot to this board and other forums being dead the last few days- it's not only this forum, people are on holiday.

Can I just clarify what you mean by "suburbs"? Americans seem to have a different definition for the word than other English speakers. To me a suburb is a section of a city, not the central business district, but possibly right next to it- I may be wrong, but many Americans seem to think of a suburb as somewhere a lot further from the city centre. I live in what I consider to be a suburb of western Tokyo, but I am only 12 minutes by train from Shinjuku, one of the major commercial and financial districts. To me Brooklyn is a suburb of NYC, for example, but possibly to you it isn't.

For most English teachers living in the centre of Tokyo isn't an option financially, so they are usually to be found in the suburbs, inner or outer. The suburbs of the cities here tend to be very well connected to the centre by train lines- if it's more than a day trip then it isn't a suburb any more, it's a different city/region. Tokyo and Osaka are vast and sprawling and being placed in one of the suburbs is not a bad option at all, lifestyle-wise.

As I said above, try asking for Kanagawa, Chiba or Saitama- still well within commuting distance of Tokyo proper but in different prefectures, so unlikely to be requested by many people.

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

standingbymorning · Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Saitama

Just to add my two cents to this discussion.

I have taught here in the Kanto area for two years and I am on the job hunt. Lots of part time work here but full time work is extremely hard to find. I am competing with 5-10 year experienced people.

It is that bad now a days with this economy.

I am considering moving back out to the countryside to work, but I have spent so much time in Kanagawa and Saitama that I don't want to. But it may come to that if I can't get full time work soon. (full time is needed to support a visa).

GoGoHorrorshow · Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 16

Aspara,

Americans generally think of "suburbs" as far off places that are not near cities at all; at least 30 minutes away by car. Anything nearer that is considered part of the city, really. For example, I would definitely not classify brooklyn as a suburb of new york. I think the word you're thinking of is "borough"; boroughs are like neighborhoods of cities, but still in the city itself, like the West End would be considered a borough of London. Anyway, kind of offtopic but just thought i'd clarify that.

I've sent in a bunch of applications this past weekend not realizing it was Golden Week. Do you think I'll should wait a few more days before I start panicking about not getting any replies back? (A friend of mine has said if they're interested, they'll reply to you within 3 days. But with this golden week thing, are they even IN their offices?)

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

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