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Martinaj
Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 35
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 Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:01 pm Post subject: March job or gamble on JET? |
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I just had my JET interview in Chicago, and they will let me know the results of this interview in April. My dilemma is that I already have a job offer as an ALT with Borderlink starting mid-March, so I have to make a decision here.
The Borderlink gig only pays 225,000 yen per month, and I have to cover the cost of my flight over there, but it places me in Japan, and then perhaps I could get on as a direct-hire ALT in my second year? My main concern is that with my covering my flight over there and not receiving my first paycheck for 2 months, AND having to rent an apartment (I guess key money is big thing in Japan?) is this salary even going to let me save enough to break even after a year?
Or I could wait, and hope I get into JET. The panel of interviewers was impossible to read - the most emotion I got out of them was a Japanese woman who said nothing and just nodded and wrote things down after I answered questions. I already have 4 years experience teaching in Asia though, and I feel like I answered every question satisfactorily, though perhaps not perfectly.
Can anyone offer me any advice on making this decision? What would you do in this situation? |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: March job or gamble on JET? |
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| Martinaj wrote: |
My dilemma is that I already have a job offer as an ALT with Borderlink starting mid-March, so I have to make a decision here.
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Can anyone offer me any advice on making this decision? What would you do in this situation? |
How much is a bird in the hand worth to you?
Can you afford to wait to see if you can catch the two in the bush?
225k/mo isn't a lot, but it's enough to live on. Depending on where you are living and your spending habits, you should still be able to save some, even after recouping your flight and set-up costs. I'd recommend looking for an apartment that doesn't require key money or a deposit (they do exist).
It's hard to understand the reasoning sometimes for why some people are accepted on JET and some aren't. It's definitely not something you can predict with any accuracy.
I was once in a very similar situation, deciding between an eikaiwa offer or a pending JET decision. I ended up taking the gamble and turning down the eikaiwa position; I did get the position on JET. However, that was over 15 years ago, and I would not recommend that decision to others unless they are OK with not getting the offer from JET.
If you need a job now, take the Borderlink offer. |
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timothypfox
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 492
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 1:43 am Post subject: |
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| If you don't need the job at Borderlink, Japan will always be there, however it turns out. If JET worked out, you would likely have a much more enjoyable experience as well as getting paid more doing that. |
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Martinaj
Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 1:45 am Post subject: |
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| Well, I need A job - I've been living off of savings / part time work since I finished my job in China last July, so maybe I should just play it safe and take the Borderlink gig. Are they really as horrible as everyone says? |
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Rooster.
Joined: 13 Mar 2012
Posts: 247
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 1:58 am Post subject: |
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Borderlink doesn't have the best reputation. I heard that they don't even help with housing.
I would wait for JET. There will be plenty of other opportunities if you don't get a job with them. |
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Martinaj
Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:10 am Post subject: |
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Aren't there pretty regular hiring seasons in Japan though? My impression had been that apart from JET, if you haven't found anything by March, you're probably waiting a year before another opportunity presents itself.
And no, Borderlink does not help with housing beyond putting you in touch with a realtor. On top of that, they say it will be 2 months before I receive my first salary. |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:46 am Post subject: |
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| Martinaj wrote: |
Aren't there pretty regular hiring seasons in Japan though? My impression had been that apart from JET, if you haven't found anything by March, you're probably waiting a year before another opportunity presents itself.
And no, Borderlink does not help with housing beyond putting you in touch with a realtor. On top of that, they say it will be 2 months before I receive my first salary. |
For ALT positions, you're right - most hiring is done for a March start. However, eikaiwa hire year-round. |
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Martinaj
Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| Hmm, if that's the case, I may just go with Borderlink. I had a crap job my first year in China too - I don't mind working up to something better. |
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Master Shake
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 1202
Location: Colorado, USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:40 am Post subject: |
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| For comparison's sake, does the JET job pay that much better? I assume they'd help you with accommodation. |
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Martinaj
Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:41 am Post subject: |
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| Yes. JET starts you at something like 360,000 yen per month, offers nominal aid for housing, and covers the flight over. It's a MUCH better job. It's just a question of whether or not I want to roll the dice. |
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Maitoshi
Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 4:00 am Post subject: |
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| Roll dem bones! |
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Martinaj
Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 4:03 am Post subject: |
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| Well, the issue is that I am not currently gainfully employed. If I wait on the JET and don't get it, I have no idea what I'll do. |
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rtm
Joined: 13 Apr 2007
Posts: 1003
Location: US
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 6:14 am Post subject: |
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| Master Shake wrote: |
| For comparison's sake, does the JET job pay that much better? I assume they'd help you with accommodation. |
JET pays 3.36 million in the first year, 3.6 in the second year, 3.9 in the 3rd year, and tops out at 3.96 in the 4th and 5th years (i.e., from 280-330k/mo, with no reduction in pay at any point in the year). JETs have to pay for housing, but it is arranged for them and usually subsidized by the government (many JETs pay between 10k-30k/mo for an apartment). |
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Martinaj
Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 6:16 am Post subject: |
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| I visited Japan in may, and my impression was that in spite of its reputation, cost of living is comparable to the US? |
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Maitoshi
Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも
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| Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 6:40 am Post subject: |
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| This highly depends on where in both places. If you compare countryside locales, than they are quite similar. |
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