Job Discussion Forums

[RKH_1986]

HEY ALL! I've mostly been lurking here but I posted a few times.

Anyway I completed my TESL course at the end of January and began the process of sending out applications!

Well the results are in, and at the very least I'm gonna get a few interviews!

I've scored interviews with:
Amity
ECC
Peppy Kids Club

I absolutely stoked about this opportunity (albeit a little nervous about so many interviews)

Anyway. I'm just posting to get general advice. (I'm definately gonna go hunting for that AEON interview general thread, since I imagine Amity's interviews will be more or less the same) Mostly I want some tips, since I did get a general break down with my interview offer.

So far my plan (based on some of my own experience and what I've read here)

Is baisically to just be myself. Seriously, just go in make the best of it have fun, be personable, answer truthfully, and be me. As for my presentation, I plan to give a sample lesson on action words. With a brief instruction and then have the focus be on student activity and speech.

Finally, I think that a lot of what people say about various companies really depends on the people you work with and your own outlook, I'm relatively easy going, so I'm not too worried (should I get an offer), but what are everyone's general thoughts about the companies I have interviews with.

I think I'm particularily interested in PKC. I was surpised by them because I recieved a personal phone call, the representative spoke with me for a good 20 minutes and scheduled a personal interview. (since I'd just missed one of the group sessions) I was like :O HOLY CRAP!

Anyway, I'm currently in the process of getting the last of my reference letters sorted out. (I should have like 5+) (some are professional references, and I also opted to get a few character reference letters as well)

I think I'm more or less on the ball, but I'd like some general feedback from you guys!

Thanks

RKH

[Glenski]

[RKH_1986]

[LadyK]

You said you've been lurking so you may have seen these threads already, but just in case:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=78129
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=78530

Both of these come with more handy links built right in.

Keep in mind that with the Aeon interview you'll need to demo the 5 minutes out of your 20 minute plan, but if you get to the second interview you'll be winging it. At ECC you have only about 20 minutes to prepare your plan with other group members. That goes quickly when trying to work with strangers!

Good luck!

[RKH_1986]

[RKH_1986]

UPDATE:

I just recieved an offer from Aeon for a group interview date.

Sweet, that means I've recieved an interview offer from all the companies I applied to.

Nice!

So a theoretical question for all my friends on the forums:

Lets say Hypothetically I get a job offer from all of these organizations:
Aeon
Amity
ECC
Peppy Kids Club

Which would be the recommended choice?

Thanks!

[LadyK]

It depends on your student preferences, among other variables. Do you want to teach kids or adults? Amity is the Aeon branch that focuses on kids classes, so if that's what you want, you may want to go with them. I don't personally have any knowledge or experience with PPK, but obviously that's another job involving a lot of jumping around, singing songs, and the like.

With Aeon and ECC, you will have a broader student base. Aeon schools are either 'A' schools, which have a majority of adult classes, but you will still teach some kids, or 'B' schools, which are comprised of both adult and kid classes. At ECC it depends on your branch. I believe the figure they give in the interview is 50/50 kids/adults, but that's just a generalization because you might be sent to a branch that happens to have a majority of kids, adults, salary men, whatever.

Other things you may want to consider are living arrangements and branch. With ECC, you are placed in housing, possibly with other teachers, possibly with other teachers of the opposite sex. There is no guaranteed single accommodation. However, if you don't like your place, there is an "out" clause in the contract, and you can move out after a certain period without affecting your job.
With Aeon, you have your own apartment, guaranteed. It may be tiny, but it's yours. But since it's considered a company apartment, it goes with the job. If you don't like it, tough. From what I understand it's not IMPOSSIBLE to move and still keep your job, but it may be difficult and it may take a while. It will depend on your branch.

With ECC, you will also be traveling to as many as 5 different schools a week, a different one on each day. This could be good or bad, depending on your perspective. With Aeon, you go to the same place every day. This could also have it's good and bad points. One the one hand, if you travel to different places every day you might get to know a broader area, meet more people, etc. But if you prefer a routine, you might prefer going to the same branch and dealing with the same people every day. But what if you manager is a tool? It's luck of the draw.

One last thing you might want to consider is time off. ECC gives far more vacation time, but does not guarantee two consecutive days off during the week. Aeon gives less vacation time, but you are on a set schedule, usually Tuesday-Saturday. So, do you want to take a bunch of little 2 day trips around Japan, and maybe 2 or 3 big trips a year, or do your want to take 7 big trips during the year and not much else?

As I said, these are all issues that depend on your own personal preferences. From what I understand, both ECC and Aeon are decent companies to work for, but it will all depend on your branch. Choose wisely, grasshopper! Gambatte!

[Glenski]

I believe that AEON also subsidizes rent, so that you never have to pay above a certain amount (42,000 yen? Can't recall.)

[LadyK]

Oh yeah, another good point, Glenski. With Aeon you pay $550 USD/month, and they pay anything over that. (You still have to pay utilities.) With ECC you're on your own with rent.

[RKH_1986]

Thanks for the tips guys!

I'm good with teaching kids or adults. They both have they're pros and cons. Kids are generally more fun to teach because they're higher energy. . . but that can wear you down. Adults can be fun too, but have a completely different set of issues (should they arise).

I think if I had 4 offers and could just pick and chose I'd probably want to go with Aeon. I like having the routine and weekends off (or two conescutive days anyway).

That said I'll take any offer (from these 4) that I get. Like LadyK mentioned moving around could be good and bad. Personally I think it'd be better to teach in one place and form a bond with a distinct set of people ach day. . . BUT, with ECC or PKC I'd be able to see more of Japan because I'd be teaching at different places.

The only problem I can see with that is if there are rediculous travel times/distances.

At this point though I think I'll take what I can get, besides, once I get there I can always apply for a different place (at the end of the contract, if things aren't going well).

[LadyK]

ECC says the average communte is an hour. Aeon says your communte will be no more than an hour. But it will all depend on your placement.

[Mr_Monkey]

What's a communte?

[ssjup81]

[Apsara]

Interesting that the same typo came up twice in a row- but I have been known to do the same thing myself with other words

[LadyK]

Whoops!