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Going Without Job in Bag

 
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liehtzu



Joined: 26 Feb 2003
Posts: 35
Location: North Thailand

PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:58 am    Post subject: Going Without Job in Bag Reply with quote

Man, I'm sorry. I'm sure this has been asked and answered a number of times, but my searching hasn't really revealed the answer I'm a-lookin' for, so here's the status, and I'm much obliged for any help.

-BA degree, have taught in Asia (Korea, Thailand, Vietnam) since 2002, kiddies to grannies.

-Currently in Thailand, looking to fly to Japan come March. Have a buddy in the Fukuoka region whose floor I can crash on, which is a big help. Otherwise I have enough money to float me for awhile.

-Would like to avoid chain schools. Ideally: a small middle- or high school with a set schedule, a fairly relaxed atmosphere. Not shuffled from school to school, with a different schedule every day. Would like to get to know students and co-workers. Location isn't important, though I'd prefer not to be in one of the largest cities. And, of course, since I'll be crashing on my friend in Fukuoka's sofa, that area would be easiest, and people in that area currently I'd especially like to hear from.

-Will be packing up all my stuff and doing the move, so I'd like to be sure. Would also like to know if a one-way ticket, thus a tourist visa, would in any sense be a problem.

And I hear all this about the difficulty of getting jobs these days (it is the same here in Thailand, and everywhere else, it seems). I'd surely not like to pack it all in, only to find nothing in the way of jobs when I get there. Thanks all!
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seklarwia



Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano

PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:57 am    Post subject: Re: Going Without Job in Bag Reply with quote

liehtzu wrote:
-Will be packing up all my stuff and doing the move, so I'd like to be sure. Would also like to know if a one-way ticket, thus a tourist visa, would in any sense be a problem.


In most likelyhood, yes, flying on a one-way without a visa/residence status will be a problem.
You are supposed to arrive with proof of an onward trip out of Japan if you intend on coming in on a tourist visa. And any check-in staff doing their job properly will refuse you passage unless you go and buy an onward flight on the spot.

Sure, some people get lucky and get a lazy or not well versed check-in person and thus get away with it (unless you are a suspicious looking person, it is unlikely that Japanese immigration will ask you to show an onward ticket when you get here). And some people find ways to get around this such as buying a refundable onward journey ticket. But I have always had my passport throughly expected for stamps when flying into Japan and have seen many others receive the same treatment... it's up to you whether you think you will have better luck coming in from Thailand.

But more importantly: When are wanting to come here?
Timing is everything especially with jobs in such high demand.
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Glenski



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

PostPosted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:09 pm    Post subject: Re: Going Without Job in Bag Reply with quote

liehtzu wrote:
Man, I'm sorry. I'm sure this has been asked and answered a number of times
Yes, indeed.

Quote:
-BA degree, have taught in Asia (Korea, Thailand, Vietnam) since 2002, kiddies to grannies.

-Currently in Thailand, looking to fly to Japan come March.
The earlier in March the better.

Quote:
Have a buddy in the Fukuoka region whose floor I can crash on, which is a big help. Otherwise I have enough money to float me for awhile.
Nice to know, but are you limiting yourself to the Fukuoka or Kyushu area? Not much work down there.

Quote:
-Would like to avoid chain schools.
This is not an economic market in which to be picky. Your choice, though.

Quote:
Ideally: a small middle- or high school with a set schedule, a fairly relaxed atmosphere.
Those are ALT positions most of the time, so either JET programme or a (yuk) dispatch agency. However...

Quote:
Not shuffled from school to school, with a different schedule every day.
...this is exactly what you will get as an ALT.

Quote:
Would also like to know if a one-way ticket, thus a tourist visa, would in any sense be a problem.
As seklarwia wrote, 1-way tickets are problems, mostly with the airline not immigration.

Quote:
I'd surely not like to pack it all in, only to find nothing in the way of jobs when I get there. Thanks all!
Oh, the jobs are here, but there are more jobs than teachers. Your experience will usually not be seen as acceptable by many/most employers because they prefer people to have taught in Japan or not at all. Hard to say what the market is actually looking for nowadays, though. Some employers may be wising up and trying to sort out the wheat from the chaff with qualifications and experience.

Best anyone can tell you is to start looking yesterday. See who is advertising and where, and try not to be too picky (re: chain schools). Notify potential employers before you arrive, so you can minimize down time and schedule interviews in advance.
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