Job Discussion Forums

[rawlings]

Hello. You may remember me from such recent topics as "Tips for finding a job that will sponsor a work visa." I just moved to osaka without a visa, specifically looking for work within the city, and was a little troubled that no one would sponsor my visa.

Well, I had my second interview today, and my first job offer. It was with a school in mijakojima, Osaka. It is a pre-school and conversation school, and everyone seemed really friendly and cool, and it seemed pretty casual. It definitely seems like a legitimate school, even if there does seem to be a lot of 'babysitting' going on. After a brief introduction and interview, they basically offered me a job, and asked me to come in on Tuesday for a brief demo lesson, after which they would take me to immigration to get a proper visa. Sounds great, right? Maybe it is, I don't really know. That's why I'm here to check...

The hours I would be working are strange. Every day begins at 9:30, and every day ends differently (M - 5, T - 7:30, W - 7, Th - 8, F - 7). It all adds up to about 38 hours of actual working with kids a week, even if maybe 8 hours is just watching them while they play, and about 5 hours are just straight conversation with individuals in high school. They provide all materials and texts for actual lessons. Dress is casual; polos and athletic pants. The pay offered to me is 230,000 yen/month, + transportation fees.

I am not really sure if this is a good offer or not. They seemed eager to hire me very soon. The pay seems low for all of the work hours, even if a lot of it is just babysitting. One big issue I have is how late I have to work on Tuesday and Thursday. I have back problems, and the only way I can feel good and not let it bother me is if I swim about 2k a day, which takes about an hour, and this schedule would leave me no real time to do that on these days (plus pool is closed monday). Another issue, is that I interviewed and got asked back for a demo lesson at another school that I liked a lot, but that would not be for another week or so, while this school wants to hire me on tuesday.

I am torn. Part of me wants to hold out to see what happens with the other school that I really like, but I know for a fact that lots of other people are applying and there is a good chance I will not get it. Part of me feels like I should just be lucky to have a job offer that will sponsor a visa. Which part is correct? Is there any polite way I can ask this school to wait another week for me, without severing all ties? It seems doubtful. They want me to start work on April 1. Could I e-mail the other school, and ask for an honest estimate of my chances of getting a job there, and how many other teachers I am up against? Again, it seems too heavy-handed.

Any advice for this situation? I don't have long to make a big decision, so any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
j [/i]

[Glenski]

The pay is a wee low, but nowadays it is nothing to sneeze at. If all you're being asked to do most of the time is sit and watch, you can't really complain, now can you?

Be up front to them and tell them about the timing for the other interview. That's the best you can do unless the other place can reschedule.

The hours are the hours. Employers don't have any reason to offer otherwise just because you have some physical disability. They are open when the customers are there, so you should be, too. I suggest finding other means to exercise. Swimming can't be the only way.

Good luck.

[TokyoLiz]

Wow, that is really low pay for the amount of hours.

Bear in mind that Japan's economy is having some rough times. Some families cannot keep up with tuition payment in high schools. See http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20100323TDY02307.htm

Parents sacrifice other things in the family budget so that they can pay for their kids going to high school and cram school.

Read the news. Deflation of consumer prices, falling wages, and weak hiring of university grads are all red flags here.

That translates into falling wages for conversation school teachers. Good luck.

[rawlings]

I tried explaining to them that I need several more days before making a decision. I am being very polite and very grateful and respectful for the offer, but I'm basically saying, hey, you've got to understand, 38 working hours is a lot for such modest pay. Before I agree to signing a contract, I need a few days to carry out my other offers and see how I could make such a schedule work for myself. they are saying 'but you promised, you promised! we really want to see you tomorrow, please come in.' I don't really like those business tactics, but YES i know, im in japan, bad economy, must take what I can get, so on. I agreed to come in tomorrow, but I am going to be firm that I need several days to make a decision, seeing as how I have a demo lesson with the school I really like on wedensday. i think they are going to be angry.

what would you do, if you were in my situation???

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[Glenski]