Job Discussion Forums

[Brendan]

Greetings.

I'm a 31 year old Canadian chef with a Japanese girlfriend. Her job prospects are better in Japan, and I'd like to go with her. I do not have a university degree, but I am bright and friendly. Does that count for anything work wise?Can anybody recommend any other non ESL areas where native English speakers are considered useful? Or, better yet, would someone be kind enough to direct me to some English language job-sites that I could peruse for possibly making the move?

Thanks so much.

[Glenski]

Being bright and friendly always counts for something, but you have to get your foot in the door first. Without a degree, you are limited to a one-year working holiday visa (or, if you marry your girlfriend, a spouse visa).

Since this board is full of teachers, I would suggest posting on www.gaijinpot.com in the appropriate forum for non-teaching jobs.

For teaching jobs, go to the same web site, or to
www.eltnews.com
www.ohayosensei.com
www.jobsinjapan.com

[PAULH]

Glenski

in case you didnt notice, he is 31 and probably a tad too old for the working holiday visa. You can not really work at a full-time, permanent job especially in the entertainment industry etc on a WHV. I dont know if working in a restaurant as a chef counts as a 'prohibited' occupation but I would think so, and that it goes against the spirit of the visa.

I am not familiar with this area of work but my guess is if he is a trained and qualifiied chef the best idea is to approach some of the large hotels or restaurant chains and see about getting one of them to sponsor your work visa. Foreign chefs are very common in many Japanese hotels and its quite possible you could pick something up with your skills and background.