Job Discussion Forums

gittelbug · Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 43

Hello all,
Like everyone else i'm looking for a teaching job (preferably ALT) in Japan. I'm graduating with my BA in a week and planing on getting my TEFL in late June. I've applied for both JET and Interac and was passed up. I have an interview with amity coming up (wish me luck) but I was wondering if I am passed up for this job would I have better luck finding a job in japan? What are the pros and cons of doing this?

thanks for any and all help!

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

Pros of coming to Japan and job hunting:

1. You have many more opportunities to choose from, including part-time jobs. Many teachers string together PT work instead of having a single FT employer. (Note: you cannot get a first-time visa with only PT work.)

2. You are physically available for interviews in the country. This is a big advantage to employers who need people fast or for those who advertise for people to reside in Japan before they interview them). It shows commitment.

3. You can see the place where you will work and meet the people.

4. You have more opportunity to adjust culturally to the environment before starting work a week after you land.

5. Living in "gaijin houses" affords you the opportunity to meet other teachers and prospective teachers and share job hunting tips/info.

Cons
1. Employers don't always sponsor visas.

2. Traveling to interviews isn't always cheap in Japan.

3. You have to find housing. Since you have no guarantor, you can't rent an apartment without difficulty and may have to settle for "gaijin houses". This means dormitory style living with shared bath/toilet and kitchen. You may also have to share a sleeping room.

4. You may be asked to leave the country when your work visa is processed. This is not needed anymore to finalize visa processing, but there are still some idiot employers who insist on this because they don't know.

5. Adjusting to the environment may seem adventurous and romantic at first, but if you have little command of the language or customs, it could prove daunting, especially if this is one of the first times you have lived away from your home country.

6. The way streets and buildings are labeled is very strange and disorganized. You may have a lot of trouble locating the interview site, especially if you can't read Japanese.

7. Coming at a bad time of year means you will have less chance of finding work than at a good time, so you may waste money unnecessarily.

And, now, even though you didn't ask for it, here are the pros and cons of looking for work while you are outside Japan:

Pros
1. They usually help to fly you over. The JET program pays for it all. Westgate Corporation reimburses you in your first 2 paychecks. GEOS and AEON provide a return airfare ticket or some payment (100,000 yen) if you complete an initial year's contract. Others may be similar to this, although the policy is not universal.

2. They usually provide housing. "Provide" does not mean pay your rent; it just means they set you up with a place to stay. That means usually you do not have to pay for key money.

3. They often provide some sort of training.

4. They interview you in your own country.

5. They sponsor your work visa. (If you choose to abandon the job you've been given once you land in Japan, you can do so and take your work visa with you to another employer. While I don't encourage this sort of behavior, it's an option that many take.)

Cons
1. Housing may be shared with someone you haven't met. Ask to be sure.

2. Training is in their methods. This may not prepare you for teaching in other institutions, nor may it really be sufficient training in itself. It may even be provided at reduced pay than your teaching wages. The training overall is usually very meager and short.

3. Just because they interview you in your own country, that doesn't mean it'll be easy or cheap to go to the interview site. You'll probably have to foot the bill for your own travel and lodging expenses, which could be for 1-3 days.

4. There are a great deal fewer opportunities to get hired from abroad than from within Japan.

5. You have no ability to see where you will work or live, nor will you be able to meet with most of the people with whom you'll work. With a Skype interview, you can see a face or two, but that's about it.

gittelbug · Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 43

Thanks so much for the reply. If I can't get a visa with just PT work that certainly limits my options. I never really thought about heading to Japan without a job but it seems like that may be the case as you said their are more opportunities i did notice a lot of "Must be in Japan" in the ads I've been looking though. Overseas sounds nicer of course but i'll be happy to take anything at this point. One question: if/when i get to Japan how do i find these "gaijin houses"? How much do they normally cost? Also what would be the best time to come over? I think the earliest i could do would be July.

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

You missed the best time to come over (Feb/March). After that it's hit and miss.

As for gaijinhouses, do a Google search to find some. Here are some places (not all gaijinhouses) that have previously advertised no need for a guarantor:

http://www.leopalace21.com/asia/english/index.html
http://jafnet.co.jp/plaza/monthly/monthly/monthlye.html
http://sendai.bz/g.htm
http://www.souen.jp/english/
http://www.sakura-house.com/
http://www.cdnetguide.ca/international/Japan.htm
http://home.att.ne.jp/sun/U-I_house/

LeoPalace21 has furnished apartments with Internet, and you can specify how long you want to stay, but you have to pay for all of it up front.

Here are more. I don't vouch for anything about them.
www.tokyorental.com
www.tokyoapartment.com
www.tokyohousebureau.co.jp
http://www.japanhomesearch.com
www.asianet.net/~av/
http://www.gaijinhouse.com/
http://www.kfm.to/
www.kyotojp.com
http://www.orientkosan.com/e-index.html
http://www.homesi.com/
http://www.tokyo-information.com/
(Oak House) http://www.whatsuptokyo.com/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2032.html
http://www.bamboo-house.com/
www.tokyonoticeboard.co.jp

gittelbug · Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 43

Thanks so much for the links i'll make good use of them if i end up coming to japan on my own. If the best times are feb/march would i be better off waiting until then and trying to gain some more experience with kids here in the states? Or will i still be likely to find a job during july/aug?

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

Reread my brief comment:

It's hit and miss. Nobody is going to tell you a job would be guaranteed.

gittelbug · Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 43

Oh sure i know it's not going to be a guarantee either way just wondering what the better option is. But i guess I'll do by best at this upcoming interview and get ready to head to Japan in July if i don't get it. Thanks for all the advise I really appreciate it!

untmdsprt · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Hino, Japan

A pro I can think of by interviewing in your own country:

You can still work at your current job saving money until someone does decide to hire you.

Be warned: you may not like being an ALT. I've done it for two years, and now glad I'm out. You're treated slightly better than a CD player in most cases, but if you can plan lessons and give them to the JTE in charge, they may or may not use them. You are also told to speak slowly, loudly, and clearly to the students, but this doesn't mean you can speak naturally to them.

QuasiJL · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 9

Thanks for all the great information about gaijin houses Glenski. It's really helpful.

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

I have a list of employers I'm going to try before I decide to just come over to Japan for a spell and look in person. I'm down to Heart School (for ALT), Westgate, AEON, and ECC. If I can't get a job with those four, I may be staying in Tokyo with my girlfriend until I can find someone who will sponsor me for a visa. I'm saving up a good deal of money now, so I'm optimistic about finding at least part time work until I can get a full time gig.

seklarwia · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 10:01 pm Post subject:

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

I'll make sure I get a Working Holiday Visa before I come then. What about if I have a previous visa and ID card? My ID card doesn't expire until 2014. I guess that doesn't matter though if my visa is expired. Maybe the employer will renew it?

I'm pretty sure I just have to start all over again. That's cool though, either way.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

If your visa is expired, your alien registration card is also invalid. You have to start the visa sponsorship process from scratch as an expired visa means back to square one. Having a previous, expired visa doesn't make any difference to sponsoring companies.

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

PO1 · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 136

Yeah I figured that. Either way, I'll go back there. I'll get a job eventually. I'm not really aware of as much as most of you here, so excuse me if I sound ignorant or haven't done research on all these things. Last time I went to Japan, the first job I applied to hired me, so I didn't have to do so much investigating on all the visa issues, different schools, etc.

Thanks for making me aware of some things. I hope I can at least go over on Tourist Visa for 90 days and look for jobs as a last resort?