Job Discussion Forums

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

This is very pre-emptive, because we won't be looking to make the move for a couple of years, and of course things can change a lot in that time, but I'm looking for initial thoughts on our situation.

We are a married couple currently working in, but fairly new to, ESL with CELTA certificates. We both have BA/BSc and PHDs in fields unrelated to ESL, I also have a MSc and OH has a teaching certificate. By the time we look to move on to Japan we'll both have a couple of years and a couple of thousand hours of ESL teaching experience, we both also have teaching experience from previous jobs in the UK.

OH will be looking for University work, I'm happy working with kids or adults, and I wouldn't mind trying my hand at some online stuff too.

Our reason for wanting to move to Japan is that OH is a Japanophile (if there is a such a word). Unfortunately for him I am not so keen (to say the least), so whilst I am willing to do this for a year or two, we aren't looking to make a permanent move. It will also restrict where we want to work, as he wants to be within commuting distance of particular dojos (I know they have them in Tokyo and Kyoto, but I am not sure where else).

So the questions are, given the poor state of the job market there, and assuming it doesn't get better (and may even get worse) how realistic is it that we'd both be able to pick up work fairly quickly? What would be the best way to look for work? I.e. to apply from abroad, or for OH to travel over and look for work and me to follow once he had something lined up. (I assume I could get a dependent's visa if he had a work visa, but would I be allowed to work on it?). Having been to Japan before and seen how quickly our money disappeared I am very concerned about being able to afford spending a few months job searching with no money coming in.

For that reason, I was also looking at Westgate, it seems a convenient way to get your flights paid, as well as the coveted work visa which would allow him/us to move on to something better after serving our time with them. But it seems from the website like they really aren't geared up for taking on couples, especially when they are so keen to provide accomodation etc. So maybe OH would have to go over first for that and do one stint with them on his own. Although their PT online positions would certainly interest me if OH had a proper job. Do you have to be living in the region of one of their office locations for the online jobs or will they take you on anywhere in Japan?

I've read a few posts about people struggling to find work because they felt they are over-qualified. Is that going to be a problem? Would we be over-qualified for Westgate, or setting our sights too low with them? Would it be better to leave the PHDs off our CVs generally?

I know it may seem early to even be thinking about this, but aside from anything else, if this move is realistic OH wants to improve his Japanese first. (He has some very very limited/basic Japanese now, I have none). So he will start taking lessons sooner rather than later. If it's just a pipe dream then the time and money would be better spent on other things. And also, if I am honest, I need a bit of time to get myself used to the idea and build up to it as well.

EDIT to add: I should have mentioned that OH is early 40's and I am not far off, so that may also be an issue.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

What on Earth is OH? Are you bringing Ohio with you to Japan?

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

I'm guessing OH = other half.

Let's deal with hubby first and university prospects. Have you / he read any of the links related to uni work, found in the FAQ stickies? If not, do so. They will fairly clearly lay out what he has to do to prepare.

What are his chances? With no experience in Japan, meager, even with publications and some Japanese language ability. His degrees are unrelated to TEFL, for one, and that's a biggie in most unis here.

seklarwia · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:41 pm Post subject:

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

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

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

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

I suppose there's always the second or third interview at one employer, but I have not heard that this is the norm. If he is satisfied with a bunch of interviews, there is nothing stopping him from leaving.

Of course, interviewing is no guarantee of landing a job. And, even in my special case of a non-teaching background & degree, I applied to schools with programs suited to my major, yet out of >32 applications sent out, I got only one interview! It's a jungle.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

Thanks, that's good to know, so at least if he ran out of cash, he could bailout without screwing up his chances.

OK, well lots of food for thought here. Thanks again for all your help!

tokyo10 · Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 27

to chime in about westgate, I came here a few months ago high on the chance that they (among other companies I had spoken with) would take me after many emails back and fourth. For whatever reason they backed out on my interview 2 hours before I was to meet them. Extremely unprofessional in my opinion and it showed me early on how unpredictable some of the opportunities can be here.

Having come here with my OH (always a fan of the new slang) I can tell you first hand how tricky it is. As Glen has mentioned, yes it is easier looking for jobs being physically here but...its more stressful making the leap with just prospects. Budget for three months of excessive spending and assume the worst case scenario.