Job Discussion Forums

asn23 · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 10

I applied to teach at a Kindergarten in Sapporo. They want to interview me in person and observe me teach. They are asking me to go to Japan for 3 days and are offering to pay 1300 Euros for travel expenses and pay for accommodation while I am there.
It seems a bit strange that they are willing to pay that much just to interview me. Is that how private schools operate in Japan? Any opinions?

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

Yes, it's strange, but in a good way. Most schools are not willing to make that kind of investment in finding quality staff.

kahilm · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 43

Sounds too good to be true... but who knows, might be legit. I'd just make sure they buy the plane ticket and book the hotel. Or at least deposit the cash to do so in your bank account before you buy anything. Wouldn't want to spend all that money on tickets and hotels and hope to be reimbursed...

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

1300 euros = 174,000 yen
This is what some employers are paying for a full month's salary (very low end)

Beware of this employer. Just how do they intend to pay you? And when? With no bank account here, they would have to pay cash (no record, no taxes, nothing but a promise).

When? A month after you've long since returned home and cannot fight them legally?

No, this is most certainly not the norm! In fact, most employers who want a demo lesson want it for free. The only places that I've seen advertise for paid demo lessons have been scams, where you go in and teach, then get left in the lurch for payment (or get far less than promised).

seklarwia · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 10:05 pm Post subject:

They'd be foolish to deposit the cash in your account. Get them to buy and send you the tickets. You can then check with the airline that they're legit.

But it does seem a little strange... Are you an experienced teacher? Are you specialising in a specific type of teaching, such as special needs/disabilities? Were you recommended for the position by someone within the school?

There must be a reason that they are willing to go to such lengths just to interview you.

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

This thread shows just how low we've set our expectations.

For comparison, I was talking to a friend who works in academia about my ELT job-hunting experiences. He'd just been interviewing candidates for a junior programer's position.

When I told him about my interview with an ALT agency, his first response was, "Well, I wouldn't be too hopeful about that job. If they only interviewed you through Skype, they're not taking you seriously."

And, in a sense, he's right.

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

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

If they arrange everything up front, tickets, hotel bookings, etc, then go for it. Not everywhere has been destroyed by the economic crisis, and it might be some private school for rich kids which has money coming out of its ears.

But if they ask you to pay and then offer reimbursement later I'd stay clear, just in case.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

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

How about divulging the name of the kindergarten, even in a PM?

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Hot-Carl · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 63

When I first game to Japan about 4-5 years ago my employer (a private school) flew me in for the interview and put me up in a hotel for two nights. They also flew me back once I started the job a few months later. They send my plane tickets in the mail.

EXTREMELY rare, but it's not completely unheard of. It's it's a private kindergarten catering to a certain class (wealthy), this is certainly a possibility.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826