Job Discussion Forums

[Maktsu]

I applied for a job with Westgate Corporation. It seems like an exciting opportunity. Has anyone worked for them? Willing to share some experiences, or give some advice?

[ilovefood]

Hey,
Working for Westgate is great if you want a taste of Japan and don't want to worry about a thing. They secure your visa, find you an apartment (with necessities such as a washer, plates etc.), escort you to open a bank account, and get your alien registration card.

They do have stipulations in the contract that some people find hard to accept such as not socializing with your students outside of work hours, and not having visitors stay in your apartment.

Overall the experience has been enjoyable, and they have done absolutely everything they agreed to in the contract.

If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

[CdnInKorea]

[ilovefood]

You aren't allowed overnight visitors or social gatherings even during the day. I have no idea about the reasoning behind it. Perhaps they are trying to avoid people having parties that get out of hand.

Teachers still do it but it's risky.

I think with the high rent we pay it's quite unreasonable but I accepted the contract and now I'm living with the restriction.

[sugardaddy22]

I worked for Westgate about 10 years ago...surprised to see they're still in business.
Could you imagine the uproar if a US company told Japanese nationals working in..say..California...that they were forbidden to bring guests into their apartments...apartments that they pat a rather inflated rent on, btw?
How do they get away with it?

[Glenski]

They can't enforce such a stupid clause. They would also be hard-pressed to prove it is something they are allowed to put in a contract.

Sweep the place for bugs and cameras and enjoy yourself.

For other posts on Westgate, use the search function.

[kteacher]

Hey

The whole no guest clause is an easy thing to get around, just use your head.

It's an intense work week but stress free. Like the other guy said they take care of everything. the actual teaching is easy. They give you a daily goal and ideas to use in each stage of the lesson. Or you can be creative with it as long as you meet the lesson goal. The students are great. They have paid extra money to be there so generally they are good natured and want to just have fun and speak English. (at least mine are like this)

Your supervisors stay out of your hair and are not breathing down you neck like at other schools i have been at.

Your weekends are free to explore Tokyo. all in all i really enjoy it and am probably coming back in the fall.

good luck!

[passport220]

[the yellow brick road]

Is it possible to work for Westgate and then move to another business after your contract is up?

I currently work in Korea and the visa guidelines are very strict.

[Glenski]

You can work for anyone here, and as long as your visa is still valid, you can move on to another employer. Westgate is fairly unique in offering visa sponsorship for such short-term work. The trick would be in finding that next job while you are on such a short-term, long-hours job, especially if you have never been here before (and considering the shape the market is in right now-- flooded).

Japan is not like Korea. You can quit, get laid off or fired, and the visa is still yours until it expires.

[the yellow brick road]

Oh, well I lived in Japan a year before and graduated from tokyo university of foreign studies. I am fairly fluent in Japanese and comfortable around tokyo.

I was hoping to work with westgate for a short term and find a better employment position (hopefully non English teaching, but English teaching is ok as well).

Do you have any advice for jobs out there in the tokyo area? Is westgate my best option for placement in tokyo? I hear it's not easy to be placed in tokyo. The short contract is also nice because I won't be tied down until the end of a year long contract like I would be in korea. I don't like to quit early or anything. I would rather complete the short contract and end on good terms.

Any advice or experiences with this?

[lavos]

I currently work for the big W. I have one thing to say that has not been mentioned elsewhere: IT IS A GAMBLE. We are not talking about a little difference in positions between teachers or even a merit based treatment system, I am talking about a random roulette game from apartments to commutes to workload to pressure from staff. Some deals are really really nice, light work great students and a modern J-apartment with all the cool technological things that make us ooo and ahh and the bosses leave you alone; some blow. period. A few really suck, many are alright, and a few rock. i will put the bell curve into action here saying that about 15% of the positions are very desirable with all aspects juicy and heavenly, the chunk in the middle of about 75% are ok jobs with a few annoying setbacks (be it workload or commute or junk apartment) and the low 10% where the stars align against you would really suck. It isn't a fair company but, hey, neither is life, I say go for it.

[Writer]

Does Westgate have any nationality or age restrictions? I'm 3rd generation Japanese American, age 53, female. I'm asking because being Asian was NOT an advantage in Thailand - will that work against me in Japan? Plus, I heard that some schools prefer younger teachers.

Also, is being married (to a Caucasian) a problem? Will that create a problem as far as housing?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[passport220]

[justaprofessional]