Job Discussion Forums

[Glenski]

Again, I will agree with seklarwia. September is getting a bit late. There will be some openings then, and there is a minor surge of hiring for October start dates, but after that it falls off fast.

The peak hiring for newbie jobs here is for April start dates. That means be here in February or early March. Visa processing takes time and even more so then.

Since you will have a WHV, you can take on PT work, which is good because newbies without a WHV cannot do that. They need FT work to get a work visa. Keep that in mind.

[cosimocubs]

do you folks have any recommendations for cities to try first, rather than going straight to tokyo? which is my best bet?

[Glenski]

Look, Tokyo is the biggest city and therefore has the most opportunities (and competition, but you can't have your cake and eat it, too).

If you have some specific aversion to Tokyo itself, don't apply there, but most ads will be for Tokyo for the reason above. If you choose not to go for Tokyo, then ask yourself (and answer here) just why.

Is it because you'd simply prefer a slightly smaller city?
Is it because you'd prefer the countryside?

Choice 1: Apply everywhere else.
Choice 2: Competition will be less, but so will the number of jobs and the amount of English in the location, plus depending on its actual location you may be a couple of hours or more from the nearest big city.

We can't make all decisions for you, and it's terribly difficult giving advice without knowing some background on you and your decision to teach in Japan.

One more thing: beggars can't be choosers in Japan (not much, anyway). There is a glut of teachers, so it's a buyer's market, not a teacher's.

[Rooster_2006]

[Glenski]