Job Discussion Forums

Seibu · Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 65

Question for the more experienced ESL teachers here. I'm wondering if you've run into this road block.

I spent 8 years in Japan as a corporate ESL teacher for a software company (1997-2005), spent a year in Myanmar teaching and then returned home for a few years to tend to a sick family member. Well, the family member has passed, I've just sold the house and I'm looking at getting back this summer.

Problem is, I can't get ANYONE to give me the time of day.

Sent off loads of resumes with only ONE positive response (Berlitz). Actually drove six hours for an AEON interview, had the only - what I would call - 'experienced' teaching demonstration and then was excused without a personal interview. I was shocked.

Have recently met a couple of 23-year olds fresh from uni that have been hired in Korea and Japan by Aclipse. I've sent them TWO resumes this month and have not heard a word. They are supposed to contact you within 48 hours.

My question is this......has anyone seeking to return encountered this problem? I totally underestimated the return process. I thought it would be a matter of sending off a few resumes and - BOOM - a job offer.

What is going on?

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

How many resumes have you sent out?
When did you send them?
How long has it been since then?
Did you send them in response to ads or just cold calling?

You must realize the market is terribly flooded right now.

Your age is not a problem, so perhaps you need to review the situation:

Is it your cover letter?
Are you overqualified?
Did you apply at the right time?

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

try James English School and Peppy's Kids Club.........

drdo · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 53

It can be frustrating when you don't get feedback from the employer, but in most cases they won't offer one--even if you ask.

I know two people who are 'older' (not sure what that means to you, but they are in their mid-40s, which isn't old, but can be in this market) and they both landed direct-hire gigs in private high schools in Tokyo. They lived here in 1988-1996. Returning for similar reasons why many of us do! But their timing was perfect...their apps/resumes went out in late January and early Feb., for jobs starting in early April.

Hang in there!

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Ageism is a problem in Japan.

Once your in your mid to late 30s and 40s, you are too old for eikaiwa. Most will not consider you for that kind of work.

Good luck though.

hagakuri · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 11:55 am Post subject:

I don�t often condone being manipulative in the workplace, but it does have it�s time and place. It�s just that I really dislike the whole age prejudice thing that Japan is fairly notorious for demonstrating.

Here's what you do - you skirt the "age" issue as long as possible.

There is nothing that says that you have to say your age on your resume, or that you have to send your front passport page with your initial application.

Get a good professional quality headshot done, photoshop the hell out of it.

Don't go into how you were the first foreign EFL teacher in Japan, back in 1901, or how you�ve been teaching for the last 6 decades. Keep your resume to the last 4 or 5 years if possible.

Generally, as you know, the hiring process goes like this:

Employer: posts ad
Prospect: replies with CV/Resume
Employer: Declines / no response [end]
Employer: Accepts, sends contract
Prospect: Accepts contract
Employer: Requests additional information *at that time maybe passport scan*

By the time the company actually finds out how old you are, the offer will have already been made and as a matter of "saving face" should be honored.

Remember, it's a 2-way game. And yes, that's what it basically comes down to is being a game. Even the playing field somewhat and you should do fine.

Best of luck.

seklarwia · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 12:40 pm Post subject:

mc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Aichi, Japan

hagakuri · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 3:00 am Post subject:

The tips were intended for someone that is applying for positions while they are abroad, and not necessarily already in the country where they intended to teach. Which is what the OP has indicated based on my own interpretation of it.

Additionally, the information was posted to give some tips for someone that may find it harder and harder to find a job due to their age - It was not provided for cynical pundits to attempt to find "holes" in it.

The premise of the advice was to �skirt� the issue as long as possible. Simple as that.

I just love people that come along and just blast holes in someone�s advice, but cannot provide any type of advice of their own. Just makes me laugh. Nothing better to do?

The fact is that thousands and thousands are hired each year - without a physical interview (sight unseen).

Actually, the first job that I got in Japan, back in 1999, I was hired with only a short telephonic interview and only from my CV/ Cover letter. My age was never known until I had to send my passport scan for them to process the Visa, which was far after the contract had already been signed and the position offered.

The advice is sound � take it or leave it. But if you don�t have any advice to provide � stay the hell off the thread.

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

hagakuri · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 8:52 am Post subject:

seklarwia · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 9:33 am Post subject:

I guess that my response post was what initially got you riled up and I'm sorry that you saw it as picking apart your advice. That wasn't the case at all and I never disagreed with the skirting of the age that you suggested. Also I thought that my addition to what you said about photoshopping could actually be considered advice.

But as someone who has only just arrived in Japan this year after recruiting from abroad, I think I should tell you that all of the big recruiters, such as those applied to by the OP are going to find out your age through one of the methods that I stated. And many also do have overseas interviews just like the one the OP has already attended and the one I had to attend in London.

I also worked in China and it is true that many recruiters don't do in person interviews, they pretty much all ask that you complete an application form to send with your CV which always asks for your DOB. (and I did fill in quite a few myself in case you are wondering)

And to the OP... It is hard for the older applicant to get accepted here, but with a little persistance, you will find that older recruits are being accepted these days and some places are even looking for those with experience, although probably not so much Eikawa. Is Eikawa what you really want to do, or would you consider ALT aswell? There were a suprising amount of ALTs who were nearing 40 and over when I arrived for training in March. One of the recruiters told me that some schools actually request older ALTs these days. And I have met a few older JETs too. They told me they have also noticed a slight rise in the number of older recruits, so all hope is not lost yet. HANG IN THERE!!!

starteacher · Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 237

Over the years here, I have not come up with any selection criteria that makes anyone pass an interview.

The selection process is uncertain.

I have seen surfers with no experience who get jobs, I have seen older people get kindergarten jobs, I have seen people get rehired simply because the BOE couldn't be bothered to change the rota (although they still do the hiring process annually as part of their budgeted processing), I have seen people gotten jobs where a boss was away and a Japanese manager of little experience and ability (i.e. low TOEIC) take on a person because of likeable character, I have seen really good characters (ok, this is imo) who get turned down for god knows why, I have seen candidates of little work experience in any field hired to take on corporate classes, I have seen non native English speakers get employed, and the list goes on.

Age has nothing to do with it. Nor race. Nor blond hair and blue eyes anymore.

Its a simple supply and demand. Business. If that position demands you and you are in the right place at the right time, then it's yours.

On the one hand, this is good as it means you can always explore many opportunities and what looks dreadful could turn out great, and vice-versa. On the other hand, it is an unpredictable market (imo) and you don't know what you will get or where it will go. Even qualifications do not always mean much, it is not what you have, it is what you can do now.

=> So in your resume, especially for older candidates, tell them what you can do, not what you have done.

seklarwia · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject:

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

seklarwia is right. I had to leave JET at 41(due to the 3 yr. limit) and I was a THE "old man" in my prefecture!

At least JET is honest enough to state its desired age limit. How many eikaiwa/dispatch co. jobs(assuming one is masochistic enough to take one)feature a 40+ FT? Precious few, that's how many....