Job Discussion Forums

[mdoor]

It is all just conjecture but I think it would be a great time of year to be in Japan work visa in hand. A certain percentage of new hires don't work out, don't show up or quickly make a decision that Japan or working overseas is not for them. Employers have classes booked and are ready to go. You could be poised to fill a much needed demand with a HUGE advantage over any other teacher with no work visa.

[Osiyo]

That's an interesting take on it. The person who would put me up in Chiba also seems to think I should take the plunge, but I am still really wary.

I have until the 29th to change or cancel my plane ticket...this is maddening. T.T

[seklarwia]

It gives you an advantage over people who are arriving without a visa in hand. But because of the bad timing, all the people with visas who are already established and living in the area or within commuting distance will have a huge advantage over you and there is probably no shortage of these types of people around the Chiba area.

Plus many employers won't even need to advertise for a new teacher to replace someone who leaves that quickly, even out here where there are far fewer foreigners. A language school owner friend had to quickly replace a NZ teacher who had to leave for a family emergency last year. They only needed to call up a few of the later applicants that they had interviewed and liked to get a replacement. Had the NZ teacher left later in the term, then they would have likely had to put out an ad as many of the previous applicants would have found other jobs or moved on by then.

Clearly you want to come out here. What you really need to decide is, if you come out here, blow a few thousand dollars and don't get a job, will you be able to shrug it off and say, "Well, at least I got to spend a little time in Japan," or will you be blowing money that you don't have and be left in financial hardship?

If it's the former, then go for it. If it's the latter, then perhaps this is a risk you shouldn't take and it would be better for you to wait and start reapplying for the major intake next spring.

[Osiyo]

I'm definitely in the latter category; I'm no Mr. Moneybags.

Thanks for putting things into perspective.