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greenbean
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:40 am Post subject: Is this doable? |
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So I have done quite a bit of surfing, searching and reading and I'm getting an idea for what I might like to do and what I could handle, but I want some advice on whether what I'm thinking about is feasible given my circumstances:
1. BA in History, JD (from top 10 law school), MAEd, teaching license, 4 years exp. in Korea, 2 with kids (nursery-high), 2 at unis. Exp teaching AP & TOEFL prep. Also business exp. Female N. American, early 30s but usually mistaken as looking younger.
2. May have a place to live; definitely want to be in that area (Yokohama/Yokosuka) even if I need to find housing.
3. Will be in Japan in Sept (don't need to work then & have somewhere to stay), would want to start working mid-Nov/early Dec.
I don't really have a preference for what I teach, I can enjoy anything from kindy to uni if the working conditions are right. My biggest hang-up is getting taken advantage of. Some of the workload/hours vs. pay seems to be a bit much. Although, I may just be a bit spoiled because I had worked my way up to the higher end jobs in Korea that had low hours and lots of paid vacation. Still, I'm just looking for a regular work day without too many classes. I recognize that may have to start over coming to Japan, but am hoping I might not have to go with the very worst conditions.
How feasible is it to get someone to sponsor a visa for part time conditions? I think the ideal would be part-time business English, but I would be perfectly happy to teach kindy 3 or 4 hours a day if it got me a visa. I'm still energetic enough to handle the kids, but more than a few hours a day is just too mind numbing for me.
If I work part-time/hourly will I be forced to pay national health insurance? I actually have my own health insurance that is good internationally (ie it will reimburse my costs, even abroad).
Also, what are the rules on privates. From what I'm reading, it looks like on the side gigs are legal. Is that true?
If I can get my cover letter and resume translated into Japanese, how hard will it be to look for jobs in the area I'd like to be in if I don't speak Japanese. (Could probably provide a Japanese speaker for people to email.)
Thanks for any assistance you can give me. BTW, I don't need to hear about how flooded the job market is or similar things. I'm looking for real constructive advice. Thanks again. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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| 3. Will be in Japan in Sept (don't need to work then & have somewhere to stay), would want to start working mid-Nov/early Dec. |
Hardly anything is available then. Reconsider your start date.
International schools usually start in the fall, but that's Sept./Aug. so you'd better get hustling on any ads right now! You may have already missed that hiring window.
As for other places, there is a small surge in entry level work for Oct. start dates.
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| I can enjoy anything from kindy to uni if the working conditions are right. |
What do you consider "right"? It's a buyer's market now, so you will probably have very little say in the matter. Probably 20-200 other applicants in line.
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| My biggest hang-up is getting taken advantage of. Some of the workload/hours vs. pay seems to be a bit much. |
What do you want in hours, workload, and pay? What do you consider "not many classes"? Again, you are in very little position to negotiate these days.
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| How feasible is it to get someone to sponsor a visa for part time conditions? |
Zero.
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| If I work part-time/hourly will I be forced to pay national health insurance? I actually have my own health insurance that is good internationally (ie it will reimburse my costs, even abroad). |
Non sequitur, as you cannot get hired PT on a work visa your first year. And, beginning 2010, there may very well be a law which states that visa renewal will be dependent on having national health insurance, not a private type.
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| Also, what are the rules on privates. From what I'm reading, it looks like on the side gigs are legal. Is that true? |
Every employer will have his own "rules". Some forbid it, others don't care. As long as your private life doesn't interfere with your main job, be discrete about it and do what you like.
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| If I can get my cover letter and resume translated into Japanese, how hard will it be to look for jobs in the area I'd like to be in if I don't speak Japanese. (Could probably provide a Japanese speaker for people to email.) |
Japanese resume & cover letter is not needed. English will suffice. If you are not fluent in the language anyway, why bother? Besides, you are being hired to teach English and not use Japanese in the classroom. Using Japanese is usually prohibited, although it will be useful in daily life situations.
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| BTW, I don't need to hear about how flooded the job market is or similar things. I'm looking for real constructive advice. |
Sorry, but you do need to hear it, as I pointed out above. Another reason is that depending on your employer, your other experience may not even be taken into account because it was not in Japan. |
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cvmurrieta
Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Posts: 209
Location: Sendai, Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:01 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
| BTW, I don't need to hear about how flooded the job market is or similar things. I'm looking for real constructive advice. |
Sorry, but you do need to hear it, as I pointed out above. Another reason is that depending on your employer, your other experience may not even be taken into account because it was not in Japan. |
Some of them may not even take into account your Japan experience if you are not from the same area. I have come across employers who have questioned my desire to move from Sendai and whether I can work with a majority Japanese office at a BoE (my resume includes that I am a translator with the Miyagi Prefectural Government. I am thinking of replacing that title with my division name). For ALT positions, some won't even consider you if you have never worked as one.
Buyers' market it is......flooded even for people who have spent a long time here. |
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greenbean
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:12 am Post subject: |
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| cvmurrieta wrote: |
| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
| BTW, I don't need to hear about how flooded the job market is or similar things. I'm looking for real constructive advice. |
Sorry, but you do need to hear it, as I pointed out above. Another reason is that depending on your employer, your other experience may not even be taken into account because it was not in Japan. |
Some of them may not even take into account your Japan experience if you are not from the same area. I have come across employers who have questioned my desire to move from Sendai and whether I can work with a majority Japanese office at a BoE (my resume includes that I am a translator with the Miyagi Prefectural Government. I am thinking of replacing that title with my division name). For ALT positions, some won't even consider you if you have never worked as one.
Buyers' market it is......flooded even for people who have spent a long time here. |
cvmurrieta:
Letting me know experience outside Japan may not be considered is useful. So thanks for that info.
Glenski,
Also some useful info. But, I disagree that you need to tell me the market is flooded and other similar comments... I am very literate... I can read well... It is well posted everywhere that the market is flooded... I comprehended what that means... What I was looking for was more specific advice, some of which you did provide...
What I can't understand is why all you folks on the Japan board feel the need to be so negative. A simple 'no, that won't work' is great, but most of the posts I've read here written to those new to Japan seem to be derogatory. It makes me wonder if everyone is so negative just to keep people away.
I'm coming to Japan, whether I have work or not. Personally, sitting around doing nothing all day isn't my idea of a good time. Hence my desire to find a job. But, I don't have to have one which is why I'm not interested in something that will burn me out or run me into the ground. |
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cvmurrieta
Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Posts: 209
Location: Sendai, Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:23 am Post subject: |
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| greenbean wrote: |
| cvmurrieta wrote: |
| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
| BTW, I don't need to hear about how flooded the job market is or similar things. I'm looking for real constructive advice. |
Sorry, but you do need to hear it, as I pointed out above. Another reason is that depending on your employer, your other experience may not even be taken into account because it was not in Japan. |
Some of them may not even take into account your Japan experience if you are not from the same area. I have come across employers who have questioned my desire to move from Sendai and whether I can work with a majority Japanese office at a BoE (my resume includes that I am a translator with the Miyagi Prefectural Government. I am thinking of replacing that title with my division name). For ALT positions, some won't even consider you if you have never worked as one.
Buyers' market it is......flooded even for people who have spent a long time here. |
cvmurrieta:
Letting me know experience outside Japan may not be considered is useful. So thanks for that info.
Glenski,
Also some useful info. But, I disagree that you need to tell me the market is flooded and other similar comments... I am very literate... I can read well... It is well posted everywhere that the market is flooded... What I was looking for was more specific advice, some of which you did provide...
What I can't understand is why all you folks on the Japan board feel the need to be so negative. A simple 'no, that won't work' is great, but most of the posts I've read here written to those new to Japan seem to be derogatory. It makes me wonder if everyone is so negative just to keep people away. |
Well, thanks for giving me credit even if I didn't actually say that (Glenski said that experience outside Japan may not be taken into account; I said that even if you have Japan experience, it may or may not be considered based on regional preference).
As for some of the negativity, I think most of it can be attributed to a really depressed market. I was in Japan when there was a recession in the mid-to-late 90s. But to me it didn't feel like there was a recession because at the time the Big 4 were ALWAYS hiring. If a native speaker couldn't find a job, there was always NOVA to fall back on. Nowadays places like AEON and ECC have pulled back in their hiring. NOVA as it was 10 years ago no longer exists. I will say I have been surprised at some of the attitudes employers have taken toward me even though I have six years of teaching experience in Japan.
I think most on here would welcome you if you came. I think they just don't want you to set yourself up for disappointment, that's all. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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| greenbean wrote: |
Glenski,
Also some useful info. But, I disagree that you need to tell me the market is flooded and other similar comments... I am very literate... I can read well... It is well posted everywhere that the market is flooded... I comprehended what that means... What I was looking for was more specific advice, some of which you did provide... |
I did give you some info, that's true. However, the reason I told you that you truly needed to be told about the saturated market is because of a few remarks you made.
* inappropriate start date expectations
* lack of clarifying what you mean by "right conditions"
* lack of understanding what is needed for a university job (and how competitive they are)
* a false sense of being able to negotiate working terms
I don't want to harp on this, but despite knowing the market is full, you don't seem to want to accept the above, and that's why I wrote what I did. No malice intended, just a stab at trying to open your eyes a bit more.
| Quote: |
| What I can't understand is why all you folks on the Japan board feel the need to be so negative. A simple 'no, that won't work' is great, but most of the posts I've read here written to those new to Japan seem to be derogatory. It makes me wonder if everyone is so negative just to keep people away. |
Negative or derogatory? They are not the same. Who's offering derogatory remarks here?
I've heard the "negative" response from posters for over a decade. It boils down to a few things:
1) they usually take that attitude when reality conflicts with their hopes (and/or what they've been told secondhand), and
2) there are a boatload of "case by case" issues here, so it is often not possible to say black or white, and
3) the varied perceptions of what is acceptable, and
4) occasionally misinterpreting what is written (a sad fact of life in the world of text vs. spoken word).
You want part-time employers to sponsor your work visa? I'm sorry, but the answer is black and white "no".
You want to send in a Japanese resume/cover letter, but they are not needed, and they would send a false impression of your abilities anyway. (constructive criticism)
Hustling to meet the time frame for fall jobs is more constructive criticism.
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| I'm coming to Japan, whether I have work or not. |
Fine. Nobody is telling you otherwise. We're telling you when is a good time and what to expect. Here's more advice: bring enough money to support yourself for 3 months (US$4000-5000).
How about answering some of my questions now? I answered yours. |
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greenbean
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 3:31 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| greenbean wrote: |
Glenski,
Also some useful info. But, I disagree that you need to tell me the market is flooded and other similar comments... I am very literate... I can read well... It is well posted everywhere that the market is flooded... I comprehended what that means... What I was looking for was more specific advice, some of which you did provide... |
I did give you some info, that's true. However, the reason I told you that you truly needed to be told about the saturated market is because of a few remarks you made.
* inappropriate start date expectations
* lack of clarifying what you mean by "right conditions"
* lack of understanding what is needed for a university job (and how competitive they are)
* a false sense of being able to negotiate working terms
I don't want to harp on this, but despite knowing the market is full, you don't seem to want to accept the above, and that's why I wrote what I did. No malice intended, just a stab at trying to open your eyes a bit more.
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I think I may have been misunderstood... Did I need to hear the list of constructive comments you listed above... Yes, that is what I was looking for... It gave me the opinion of those who have been around for a while... Did I need the generic comment that the market was saturated... No, that is obvious from all information available and isn't constructive in any way...
Perhaps one of the reasons folks always seem to negative is that they include some very subjective comments in what is much better relayed as a series of facts... It's an interesting thought...
I didn't answer the questions because I didn't realize you were asking for answers.... I saw them as rhetorical.... So here goes...
"Right" for me means I can have a life and I don't feel like I'm a slave or being taken advantage of... I think that my "right" is very subjective... In most cases, a full-time 40+ hour week wouldn't be right, but if it was with very little commute working directly for a kindly employer it very well could be... A lot depends on what and who I am teaching... Also, where the job is, the attitude of the employer, I think "right" depends on a series of conditions...
It is likely that I could obtain a job working 40 hours a week earning around $2000 USD/month (and not paying the health care I don't need) doing something mindless and stressless without too much difficulty.... Personally, I'd rather be teaching (I am a teacher), but I'm not going to subject myself to bad working conditions just so I can teach when I do have other options...
Comments like "you are in very little position to negotiate" are the type I find constructive and that is good to know... As I said above when I mentioned "right" I don't have any specific individual standards, it's the combination that makes things good or bad for me... I guess I would say compare what 40 hours as an office assistant, educational aide, store clerk at the above salary with very little commute would be like, to the combined salary/conditions/commute of a giving teaching job and it might give you an idea of what would be "right".... If working as an overqualified secretary (which would have no job satisfaction, but reasonable working conditions) would be more enjoyable that a given teaching job, then the teaching job isn't "right"....
Like I said before, my vision of something I know would be "right", but you all seem to think is impossible (and I respect that it probably is given the constructive comments that have been made), is teaching kindy (or kids) for 3 or 4 hours a day or business without crazy hours or splits or having to commute into the city...
As for the timing.... It's not really an option to change, especially given what y'all have said about the market... I may have an opportunity to earn a significant amount of money (perhaps twice what you suggest I bring) over 6 weeks in Oct/Nov... I would be foolish to pass it up...
Hope I've answered the questions now... |
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Revenant
Mod Team
Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 1109
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| Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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Antagonistic and derailing posts removed. Keep it civil and on topic.
If the issues continue, the the thread will be locked and those involved will be held accountable. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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| greenbean wrote: |
| "Right" for me means I can have a life and I don't feel like I'm a slave or being taken advantage of... I think that my "right" is very subjective... |
Yes, it is subjective, so expect subjective replies. To answer your question, you will find some situations in which the working conditions are "right". Sometimes not. How to spot such a thing is not easy, even if this was in your own country. If you want more of an answer, please elaborate.
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| It is likely that I could obtain a job working 40 hours a week earning around $2000 USD/month |
That amount of money in USD depends on the exchange rate, of course.
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| (and not paying the health care I don't need) |
Whether you feel you need it or not, the law dictates that you need it. And, even more of an eye-opener is the fact that starting next year, you may need it even more. Looks like what is going to happen is that people who want to renew a work visa will be required to show proof of national health insurance (as opposed to any private type).
Why do you figure you don't need health care?
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| doing something mindless and stressless without too much difficulty.... |
That could apply to any ALT or eikaiwa job. A lot depends on how well you are prepared, but it also depends on the employer.
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| Personally, I'd rather be teaching (I am a teacher), but I'm not going to subject myself to bad working conditions just so I can teach when I do have other options... |
Well, if you have any questions about what you see on a contract, feel free to write here and ask. We may be able to help you understand what those conditions are before you sign.
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| I guess I would say compare what 40 hours as an office assistant, educational aide, store clerk at the above salary with very little commute would be like, to the combined salary/conditions/commute of a giving teaching job and it might give you an idea of what would be "right".... If working as an overqualified secretary (which would have no job satisfaction, but reasonable working conditions) would be more enjoyable that a given teaching job, then the teaching job isn't "right".... |
If you are already a teacher now, consider this.
Working in an eikaiwa is a totally different ball of wax, and you may have for a boss someone (Japanese or foreign) who knows nothing about teaching or educational theory. Working as an ALT means you are not in control of the classroom, and experiences vary considerably -- from being a human tape recorder to being nearly in charge.
Commutes are a part of life in Japan. You have mentioned them more than once. Get used to the idea of a 45-60 minute ride one way.
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| Like I said before, my vision of something I know would be "right", but you all seem to think is impossible (and I respect that it probably is given the constructive comments that have been made), is teaching kindy (or kids) for 3 or 4 hours a day or business without crazy hours or splits or having to commute into the city... |
Teaching 3-4 hours a day? It's somewhat possible. Some eikaiwas will have you spend that much time in the classroom (total time). ALT positions may, too, but both cases may have you there longer as well.
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| As for the timing.... It's not really an option to change, especially given what y'all have said about the market... I may have an opportunity to earn a significant amount of money (perhaps twice what you suggest I bring) over 6 weeks in Oct/Nov... I would be foolish to pass it up... |
Care to elaborate on that? You can't get a work visa just for a 6-week job here, and you need a work visa to work legally. You wrote that you plan to be here in Sept. and that you "would want to start working mid-Nov/early Dec. " That implies that you have not lined up anything yet. Which is it?
If you can't change your timetable and insist on being here in September, then get cracking right now to find jobs. They may not be posted for another month or 2, but who can say? To declare you want few classes is somewhat arrogant thinking for someone who says he doesn't need to be told the market is flooded. Flooded itself implies that you take what you can get. No offense intended. |
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greenbean
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:54 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
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| (and not paying the health care I don't need) |
Whether you feel you need it or not, the law dictates that you need it. And, even more of an eye-opener is the fact that starting next year, you may need it even more. Looks like what is going to happen is that people who want to renew a work visa will be required to show proof of national health insurance (as opposed to any private type).
Why do you figure you don't need health care?
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| As for the timing.... It's not really an option to change, especially given what y'all have said about the market... I may have an opportunity to earn a significant amount of money (perhaps twice what you suggest I bring) over 6 weeks in Oct/Nov... I would be foolish to pass it up... |
Care to elaborate on that? You can't get a work visa just for a 6-week job here, and you need a work visa to work legally. You wrote that you plan to be here in Sept. and that you "would want to start working mid-Nov/early Dec. " That implies that you have not lined up anything yet. Which is it?
If you can't change your timetable and insist on being here in September, then get cracking right now to find jobs. They may not be posted for another month or 2, but who can say? To declare you want few classes is somewhat arrogant thinking for someone who says he doesn't need to be told the market is flooded. Flooded itself implies that you take what you can get. No offense intended. |
I appreciate that you are trying to help, but perhaps you need to read a bit more closely before spouting.
I didn't say I don't need health care, I said I already have private insurance that is good worldwide. It's also cheaper than the national insurance.
I didn't say the job I have lined up for Oct/Nov is in Japan. It's not and it's completely legal. As I mentioned before, I'm not planning on working in September, just visiting friends.
I've also said more than once that I don't have to get a job, I'd just prefer to work. Teaching is also not my only option if I do work, I'd just prefer it. I'd also prefer to be in Japan full-time, but I can bounce off to other places for short periods to freelance (and renew my tourist visa) if I need to. All that means that, despite the market being flooded, I don't need to take whatever I can get. It also means that I am not being arrogant to want short hours since I'm not assuming I can get them. I'm just saying it is what I would want. If I can't find what I want, I don't work. Easy enough, not arrogance, simply my situation. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| greenbean wrote: |
| I appreciate that you are trying to help, but perhaps you need to read a bit more closely before spouting. |
"Spouting"? You were the one who didn't read carefully, I'm afraid. Your insurance situation will be pointless in 2010 when you try to renew a visa. You won't be able to renew the visa unless you get national health insurance then.
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| I didn't say the job I have lined up for Oct/Nov is in Japan. It's not and it's completely legal. |
But you wrote that you "Will be in Japan in Sept (don't need to work then & have somewhere to stay), would want to start working mid-Nov/early Dec. " as well as this: "I may have an opportunity to earn a significant amount of money (perhaps twice what you suggest I bring) over 6 weeks in Oct/Nov". How are we to know you meant elsewhere? The above strongly suggests you want to work here at that time. If you worded things a bit clearer, we would have known what you meant.
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| I've also said more than once that I don't have to get a job, I'd just prefer to work. Teaching is also not my only option if I do work, I'd just prefer it. I'd also prefer to be in Japan full-time, but I can bounce off to other places for short periods to freelance (and renew my tourist visa) if I need to. |
You stated earlier rather nebulously that you are "N. American". Is that Canadian, American, Mexican, or something else? Why the cat and mouse here? Your vague answers make it hard to give decent advice. For example:
If you are Canadian, you have 3 months on a tourist visa.
Americans have 90 days.
Mexicans have 6 months.
Depending on how long you stay here, that "bouncing" you suggest doing may not fly with immigration, even if you are under the time limit. They tend to get suspicious about multiple reentries, especially within short periods of time.
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| All that means that, despite the market being flooded, I don't need to take whatever I can get. |
If you are looking for work, it certainly does! Please don't retort with "but I'm not necessarily looking for work" because that's one of the primary reasons you started this thread. I and others are merely responding to that plea for assistance.
I think I've been pretty open about your possibilities and pretty informative about answering you. I see no reason for coy responses, and that's how I perceive yours. Sorry if that hurts your feelings. |
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