Job Discussion Forums

[robertokun]

I'm currently an ALT and I like my job most days, but if I stay here next year I'm definitely going to have to cut out the shady dispatch company middleman. I often hear about direct hire ALT's, but not often about how those people get those jobs. Are there some kind of hiring fairs? Does one approach BOE's directly? If anyone has any tips and doesn't mind sharing them, I'd love to know how it's done (feel free to PM, too.) Thanks.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

You need experience at the particular school / BoE, connections (and sometimes qualifications) to get the direct hire jobs.

Just a note: BoEs often pay direct hires far less than they could get elsewhere. Same goes for BoE ALTs through shady dispatch companies.

The reason why shady dispatch companies can exist is because Japanese administrations don't like dealing with foreigners. And by using the shady dispatch company they get to make all sorts of demands that they otherwise couldn't because the shady dispatch company says it was the BoE that MADE them do it, and they would have lost the contract if they didn't, and the BoE says it's impossible for them to ask the ALTsan to do something against their contract, ALTsan doesn't even work for the BoE (i.e the dispatch may have almost cornered the market on ALTs, but they haven't cornered the market on 'shady').

[starteacher]

I heard that BOEs are getting a bit fed up with the number of companies that can apply for any ALT positions, including direct hires. Yes, after you've done a couple of years of ALT, you'll begin to realise there's not much really to it, especially if you know your way round and speak of the language, so why not DIY ?

And then jump boat ? Come one, the BOE are not as daft as you think.

There was some proposal around that BOEs were simply going to use a selected few companies that are primarily in the vicinity (which usually means large dispatch companies as they can open shop anywhere), so that they can lower their BOE administration and costs, which in turn mean dispatch companies will also offer less to ALTs. Also these dispatch companies would be expected to train the ALTs. If you don't, the BOE will opt for another company. This is because there is going to be an increasing number of ALTs for schools for the mandatory 5/6 graders in 2011, and one can expect the trend for other lower grades. However, don't expect they would set much aside in budget for the extra workload, thus savings will have to be made elsewhere. For a school does not HAVE to have an ALT, it can use a Japanese teacher who speaks adequate English at the basic level, or it can gets volunteers to come in. I am not sure if it has been proven that ALTs have brought any benefit or increased level in English proficiency over the years, for most of it has come from eikaiwas and cram schools.

About direct hire, I also heard that BOEs are thinking of hiring as many local foreigners who have lived in Japan or are making a living in Japan for the long term. From this I presumed they meant Permanent Residents or above. Even a spouse visa is not on. After all, people with PR means they are committed to staying much longer.

These were just thing I heards. Anyone else ?

[Glenski]

starteacher,
Where exactly did you hear these rumors?

All,
The latest issue of JALT's The Language Teacher has a brief but informative article on the ALT situation of hiring (and how much it really costs).

[robertokun]

GBBB,

You hit the nail on the head exactly with how my situation (and probably every other dispatch company- BOE relationship) works.

Shady dispatch company (SDC) gives the BOE a bunch of concessions that they probably couldn't get from a regular teacher, as well as our services at bargain basement prices, and then cries, "It's in the contract with the BOE, there's nothing we can do about it," etc.

Only part that confuses me is where you say that the BOE's often pay the ALT's far less than they can get elsewhere. Assuming you're still talking about ALT work, where is this "elsewhere?"

According to the general union in my prefecture, my company gets 430,000 yen a month for my services for which my company pays me nearly half- 230,000. If I worked directly for them, theoretically shouldn't I get the 430,000 that my company gets? Of course, this is the real world, but I would expect a pay raise, nonetheless.

I can understand completely why the BOE's wouldn't want to direct hire, for the reasons you mentioned. Why deal with hundreds of foreign teachers when they can get an SDC to supply them with a labor pool without any of the hassle?

Working for an SDC is tough because I feel an obligation to these kids I teach. No matter how much the SDC exploits us ALT's, neither the students nor my coworkers and supervisors at school can understand all the things that go on behind the scenes. If it was eikaiwa teaching leaving for a better opportunity would be easy, but you can't abandon kids with whom you've made a connection, kids who rely on you and who you really want to help.

I'd like to renegotiate my contract with my SDC, and even possibly the BOE, but know what the chances of that are.

Still looking forward to hearing more about direct hires and getting more info on the subject.

[starteacher]

Glenski
I'll PM you.

[Glenski]

[cornishmuppet]

Go direct to the BoEs in the area you want to work. Go there in person, take your CV, and IF they have direct hire positions available that puts you at the top of the pile.

Pluses -

Living in the area they are hiring
Your own transport
Japanese ability
Your own housing
(all the above are to reduce the amount of work they have to do for you, but some things, housing for example, are available once you're in the system)
A spousal visa! (a guy I know recently picked up a prestigious direct hire job purely because he just got married. He has no degree and very little experience, but above all they are looking for long termers)

Get an email address for whoever deals with ALTs, and hassle them at regular intervals. If they don't have any direct hire jobs at all they'll tell you not to waste your time, but if they do its a case of wait for someone to quit basically.

When they hire, they usually advertise low key. For example, Nagano is hiring for Matsumoto area, but the the ad went out to all the JETs and via the Nagano JET Yahoo group. Sometimes there's an advert put up in the local International Center or at the job center, but you certainly won't find an ad for direct hires on here or Gaijinpot.

Salary and conditions vary. I know a guy working direct hire in a small town on 24man, while my contract and salary are basically the same as a JET, I just don't get invited to flower arranging parties and all the other cultural stuff the JETs get into.

Good luck.

[flyer]

Very good points

I am direct hire and I am very happy. But I do have to work longer hours (slightly) than a normal ALT (???) esp JET. And I certainly don't get the holidays dispatch ALTs get
I also have to do some after hours stuff, weekend work from time to time and adult eikaiwa, as well as kids classes in the summer and winter holidays

but having said all that, I do appreciate the extra pay (42man)

another point,
I do question whether if all BOEs get 43man for each ALT. That is not what I have heard, I have heard that its a case by case, BOE by BOE situation.
A meeting is held and a figure decided on. Things like the number of ALTs they will provide (to one BOE) come into account. But they certainly take their wack

[starteacher]

[seklarwia]

I personally know one direct hirer ALT in my BOE. I'd heard a lot about them from the JTEs in my school long before I met them myself. They had already been an ALT for quite some time before they received direct hirer though - I think this is their seventh year now.

According to our almost in-school resident BOE bigwig; they are considering signing more direct hires in the future because JETs are either too temporary, or not willing to do any real work and it can be a real pain doing everything through dispatchers.

Of course, they are looking to hirer current ALTs that they know and trust rather than advertising for applicants.

[mc]

[flyer]

I am a direct hire ALT and I can honestly say things are not as good as they were a few years ago. I have had a few pay cuts and I have been told I will get another one in April (2010). Sure, a direct hire is always better than a dispatch, but I think the good old days are over, the BOEs are not silly. They know they can pay you less and seem to be going in that direction? I know my BOE get letters from Interac regularly, probably offering their wonderful services LOL. I have seen one letter.

I also think that one reason BOEs do you dispatch companies is because some smart gaijin did a runner (broke their contracts) after promising to work a year or two (???).
Put it this way, I am sure some fingers have been burnt and now the BOEs hire though J companies.

[fluffyhamster]

[flyer]

I wouldn't read too much into a one off event (??)

I have never heard of this before and without a degree? I find that hard to believe or experience.

I am married and have a perm residence visa, but I don't think I will have an easy job finding my next job