Job Discussion Forums

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

I would like to hear personal experiences from people who came to Japan without a job... how long did it take you to find teaching work? Did you have experience before?

I'm already here, have been for two years, but my boyfriend wants to join me. He graduated this year with a B.A., and is a UK citizen.

The plan is for him to get a working holiday visa. He could come over in January or February.

He doesn't have teaching experience, nor does he speak any Japanese, but neither did I before coming here. (However, I was hired while I was still in the US.) We reckon it will be much easier for him to find a job if he is IN the country. I know April is ALT-season, and there are lots of eikaiwas, etc in my area (Gunma-ken.)

Have any of you come to Japan under similar circumstances? What was your experience like? Any advice welcome. Onegai shimasu! Smile

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

April is ALT season? April is the month that most jobs begin, but hiring takes place before that.

I have not had the experience (or lack thereof) that you are hoping in replies here, but I will tell you the above and one more thing. How long it takes for someone on WHV or on no visa will likely be different stories. For the latter, on average expect it to take 1-2 months before finding a job that will sponsor a work visa. As I'm sure you are aware, the hiring situation right now is very tight, so what it took people a year ago or more may be quite different nowadays.

Coming on a WHV is a good plan because no sponsor is needed and he can start work immediately, plus he can do almost any kind of work not just teach. (Caveat there is that he still needs to be considered qualified.) A down side to WHV is that some employers don't understand it. They still sometimes feel it is only for PT work (it's not), and your bf would have to consider what would happen if an employer wanted him to convert to a work visa early on. He'd use up the WHV right away, and that's something he can use only once in his life. Perhaps the work visa situation itself is worth it, but just letting you/he know. Also, taxes are higher on WHV (20%).

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

Came to Tokyo on August 1, had a job by September 1. That's on a tourist visa. Also I had previous experience at an eikaiwa. If you're in Gunma then it will probably be easier to find a job, because Gunma is terrible and nobody really wants to work in Gunma.

PS My last job was in Gunma... ugh.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

Ha ha, Gunma isn't that bad. My only real complaint is that it's hot as f--k in the summer.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Excuse my naivete. What's so bad about Gunma-ken?

Regards,
fat_chris

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

It has Nagano on one side and Tokyo on the other! Perfect location, very easy to escape from!

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279