Job Discussion Forums

[jp77]

Hey there,

I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to schools to work for in Fukuoka. I plan on moving there next spring and would like to get a head start on getting a job so if its one I can apply to from Canada, that would be a bonus. If anyone had a particularly good experience with a school there, or any advice at all really, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

[BlueSky]

I honestly think that you would have a lot of trouble finding a job in Fukuoka from outside of Japan. The job market here has really dried up over the past couple years and the pickings are slim. There are so many foriegners in Fukuoka that I doubt any company would bother considering someone who is overseas.

I recently quit my job and was really lucky to land a decent job quite quickly. It helped being a female as there are very few about in the small eikaiwas. Some of the jobs I applied for were a joke. For example there was a job advertised in a preschool paying just 1500yen an hour including transport. And this was for an experienced teacher!!

If you haven't already done so you should check out the Fukuoka Now website. They have a job section that will give you some sort of idea as to what is out there. Also when you get to Fukuoka you should go to the Rainbow Plaza as they have quite a good notice board advertising jobs too.

Good luck with the search. I hope you do find something good.

[jp77]

wow, thats really discouraging...i sort of had my hopes up on going there over some other places...and its so much more comforting to have a job lined up before i get there...perhaps i will need to reevaluate my location..thanks for your advice.

[Mike L.]

Might want to check pout some other locations in Japan!

[BlueSky]

Fukuoka is a really cool place to live so if you have enough money then it is worth it to come over and look for a job while you are here. I don't mean to be discouraging because I think people make their own luck, however, it will probably be more difficult to do in Fukuoka than other places in Japan. Very rarely will you see an advertisement for a job in Fukuoka on any of the Japan jobs websites. There are more and more foriegners wanting to come to Fukuoka and fewer and fewer jobs.

If you already have a visa I think things would be much easier because you could string together two or three part time jobs quite easily.

Anyway - good luck with the search. I hope you find something. Keep checking the Fukuoka Now website, you may be lucky.

[jp77]

Thanks,

I appreciate all your advice...i suppose my heart isnt completely set on Fukuoka. As I was mentioning to someone else, all cities are equally foreign and new and exciting so it shouldnt really matter. I've just heard so many good things about Fukuoka so it was my inclination to try there first. Since I'd really like to have something lined up before I go, it would make sense to keep my options as open as possible. Thank you

[me3]

Hey Buddy!

I live in Fukuoka. It is a tough town to get started in. Why? It is too good to live in. Too many teachers! Many of my friends are underemployed AND the wages are going down. Too many students taking classes for 1000 yen/hour. Can you live on that? I cant. If you really want to live here, expect to do about 30-40 interviews and and many many free teaching demos, and MAYBE some bad school will want to hire you. Expect to spend about 2 months without work and you are usually paid at the end of the next month. Yes, you must have enough money to live for 4 months. Then in a year or 2 you find a better one and jump ship. It is a great city but a hard one to be a teacher. And housing. Expect to pay 3-5 months as a present/deposit you dont get back.

Good luck

[jp77]

thanks buddy.