Job Discussion Forums

[Glenski]

[fat_chris]

[Mosley]

Glenski, Glenski...

I suspect you know very well that what I meant was those WITH EFL experience in Japan, but who happen to be outside the country when they apply for a job are at a disadvantage. Picture this scenario:

A recruiting agent for a major eikaiwa is in a N. American city. He's just wrapping things up when he realizes he still has one position left to fill. There are only two applicants left: one is 27(even worse if he's 37 or 47...but we'll ignore that for the moment) with several years experience teaching and living in Japan. The other is 22, wide-eyed and just out of university. Guess who gets the job? That's right...why take on the heartache of someone who "knows the score" when there's a younger newbie to take on to mold?

For a guy who's been around for a while, Glenski, you seem to be impervious to polite & indirect Japan-speak. To wit: JET states that JETs(esp. ALTs) be, "in principle", under 40 at time of application. Translation:"If you're 39 or older at time of application, you're pretty well SOL."

Ever been on JET, Glenski? I have(for 3 yrs.) and I can affirm that 40ish JETs are as common as cheese pizza pies at a formal enkai.

You seem to use a "because-I-say-so" approach to insisting eikaiwas/dispatch cos. don't really discriminate against older and/or experienced FTs. That flies in the face of evidence, anecdotal & otherwise, that that is NOT true. Compare the common occurrence of older and/or experienced EFLers in Japan to that of S. Korea/China & you'll see there's no comparison. For the record, here's my EFL experience overseas: Japan: 5 yrs. Korea: 3 yrs. China: 10 mos.

Regular posters know you, Glenski, as a long timer who's often offered solid, "nuts & bolts" advice about practical matters. But your 'rose-coloured glasses' approach does a disservice to those seeking advice as to how things really are. Experienced teachers often find themselves at a comparative disadvantage and, ironically, unlike 15-odd yrs. ago, most non-JET contracts are not all that great a deal anyhow.

[budgie]

I was rejected by AEON too; got picked up by another of the big 4. Normal dips and swings.

There are a lot of factors that go into selection. Anyone with the qualifications can get to the interviews/demo lessons but after that it's down to personality, performance, normal interview skills and most of all whether you're their 'type'. Just like any other service industry job.

Remember these centers don't 'teach' per se, they instead push a product: their brand of McEnglish (would you like fries with that?). Some have even taken to calling their students 'customers'. So like any other service provider (hotels, airlines and so on) you have to fit the character to be on the front line delivering that sevice.

In My case I think AEON saw my experience and judged I was a flight risk. They were right too. If I couldn't get the location I'd have used them for a visa and bolted.

Finally it's subjective. We can't be liked by everyone and maybe the interviewer just saw someone 'better'...

[seklarwia]

[Glenski]

[Mosley]

Glenski:
Not a bad reply. I only take exception to two points:

(1) The "sarcastic crap" bit - not so. I can be hard hitting to make a point but that's the way she goes. BTW, in re-reading my previous post, is anyone under the impression that I'm a J