Job Discussion Forums

[reneos]

Hi everyone,

I've already done some research and also looked at some old posts on the forum, but I thought I would make a post in case someone could offer more/current advice.

My partner is American, I am Canadian. We want to go back to Japan (both of us have previously studied there) to teach English. We both have degrees, and I have quite a bit of experience working with children (albeit not in a teaching position). Neither of us have any teaching experience.

We applied and interviewed with ECC and thought it would be great because they might hire us as a couple, but unfortunately we were recently rejected. Now I'm trying to formulate some other plans.

I realize it would be really difficult for us to both secure jobs from here (canada) that start in the same time period in roughly the same area in Japan. We might end up having to wait a really long time for both of us to get job offers that "line up" in that sense. So our current plan would be to first secure a job and work visa for my partner that starts sometime around September. I would then accompany him on a Working Holiday Visa and try to find a job when I get there. We both have the funds available for relocation as well as the minimum I would require for the WHV application.

I guess my questions are: is this a feasible plan? Would I have trouble finding a job in September? And if this is feasible, which area would be the best to aim for in terms of my chances of getting a job somewhat soon after arrival? We were hoping to work in or around Osaka for our own personal reasons, but I am unsure whether it would be better to aim for a different city.

Thanks for your time!

[RM1983]

I dont know about Osaka, but I came in September and jobs were not as plentiful as a few months earlier. Still got one though. Your biggest headaches might be

a) partner finding a job that will put him in a specific location, lots of companies recruit first, place later.
b) partner might be expected to take company accomodation. In which case, you will have a problem if you want to live together.

[jtea]

If you're planning on looking for a job after arrival, then any of the large cities should be fine (Tokyo, Kyoto, etc) There's more than enough jobs here as turnover rates are pretty high, it's just a matter of how picky you are. As for finding a job together, in the same city should be no problem. Larger cities such as Tokyo might mean you'll work further apart and have a hard time finding a suitable place to live but commuting an hour to work is not uncommon in Japan.

Since you applied to ECC, I assume you're okay with eikaiwa's. There's plenty of other large eikaiwa's in Japan (Aeon, Berlitz) that you can apply for and they have schools all over the country. Just be prepared for eikaiwa work, the hours suck.

ECC never even responded to my application but don't feel too bad, I haven't heard great stories about working for ECC from people here.

[Thereandbackagain]

I'm sorry that you weren't hired by ECC.

[Rooster.]

There are some places that prefer to hire couples. If you aren't picky about where you originally end up just search until you find positions like this.

[currentaffairs]

Westgate might be an option for you. They recruit for September.. Many couples get taken on. The contract is only three months but the visa is for a year and so you can stay on and find work at other places.

Although Westgate is quite run of the mill it is a good way into Japan..

[Yokaides]

I'm pretty sure Fukushima has some openings for couples, see the other thread for details. However, if you are a same-sex couple, it might be difficult.